I posted this in the RNY board.. tips for success around the holidays!

Hi Everyone.. The holidays are upon us again! If you can believe it! I wanted to do a post about the holidays and how you *CAN* be successful even with all those scrumptious treats that will be staring you in the face like every year. Here are my tips for you and I hope they help you!!! 1) Preplan what you think you will want to be consuming at dinners.. some good options are as follows: Turkey, Ham, Salad with Lowfat options, green bean cassarole in moderation, Sweet potatoes doctoring them up in a sensible way (butter spray, cinnamon, splenda, nutmeg and or SF syrups and baked), raw veggies/pickles/olives off the relish tray dipped in lowfat/ff ranch, a few bites of stuffing made from whole grain breads and low sodium broths, deviled eggs, cauliflower mash with cheese instead of potatoes, SF apple cider made of SF apple drink from walmart simmered with orange slices and cinnamon sticks (yum) and of course not to be drank with your meal! etc.. Desserts: SF jellow with fruit and SF cool whip/light whipping cream, pumpkin pie made crustless or with a nut bottom (adds lots of cals tho) and made in a low fat/sugar free way, SF pudding parfaits layered in pretty glasses alternating SF pudding with SF cool whip, fruit that can be dipped into a yogurt using greek yogurt or regular low fat/no added sugar vanilla that is sweetened with SF syrups...you get the picture. The holidays are not about sacraficing, they are about enjoying your favorite foods with healthy alternatives.. and still tastes DELICIOUS! 2) Don't focus on the food.. think of how good you feel as your body is making all of its positive changes, wear a pretty outfit.. be glowing! Love the company you are with and make the food least important.. yes I know we are food addicts and will always be.. but remember.. this is 98% mental.. you can focus on other things and when the food is put away.. get a nice hot apple cider or SF hot cocoa and just sit back and enjoy conversation with those you love and take in the beauty of the season. Be thrilled of your success and the all the success you will continue to have with your health and physical well being! Life is good! Cheers!

Yes, life is good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are right, the holidays are not about food but about family and happy times. Enjoy it!