Happy Friday! Question for All.......

As we move into the holiday season, how has your "food" perspective changed from last year to this year?

Last year was my first post WLS holiday season and I felt soooooooo much pressure to "do it right" and for the most part I did...in fact, I even successfully completely 10 days without Sweets in December.  I felt like the entire world (and pretty much MY entire world) was watching me....and everything I ate....and whether or not I lost weight.  

This year I know that that kind of pressure is counterproductive....making more of something that what it is.  Yeah, the continuous onlsaught of sweets ang goodies for three months is tough-but it happens the same three months every year, just like clockwork.  So, this year, when the Halloween stuff came out, I didn't cower in dread-I was more casual-"Oh look, the milky way darks are out again....." and I bought my box of Hershy 60 calorie dark sticks that will probably take me through the entire holiday season.

I have my trusty eggnog sugar free syrup which turns a glass of 2% into a tasty holiday treat.

And I know that no matter how I envision thanksgiving dinner-it is actually going to be about a cup of food no matter what I put on my plate-and I'm ok with that.  More than OK, I'm glad.  And, if I'm smart, I will stop when the tummy says enough-even if there is a few bites left.

My niece, another bandster, will be here again, and I will have the one meal with family where I am not "the only one"....

I am actually hostessing the main dinner for my immediate family-(a gift to my mother who it wants this for whatever reason) so there will be ample protein and sugar free pie (my father is diabetic).

Last year I wouldn't have even considered such a feat-being responsible for other people's food was really too much to ask of me at that time.  My head would have exploded.  This year, I realize that they all pretty much eat the same things I do and it's just not that big of a deal.  And, I also realize, that I am not "responsible" for everyone's good time either-I'll put out the building blocks, and then it's up to them.

Wow, I may be a grown up. 

 

 

 

Hi, Debra.
Well, since I'll be on full liquids, post-VSG, Thanksgiving is going to be turkey broth and sugar-free jello. Christmas may be more challenging, because I'll be eating more by then. There's good and not-so-good on both ends. However, I'm ready for food to be fuel and nothing more. [You might have to remind me of that, over the next few months.]
It sounds like you've got it down, girl. Congratulations.
Blessings,
Mary

You know Deb, my perspective on a lot of things has changed since WLS.  I no longer think about "where are we going out to eat tonight?" as entertainment.  It's more what do you want to do tonight??  I don't enjoy restaurants much any more but go because the DH does and I always eat something he has on his plate.  My kids will all be coming to my  house tomorrow for my DH birthday and we will celetrate.  I will cook and there will be birthday cake but for me the celebration is being with the ones I love which will hold true for all the upcoming holidays. 

There is so much to be thankful for this year and I know that I'm not on a diet....yeee hawww...I'm not on a diet!!!  This tool has given us all a way of life and a tool to deal with it.  We still have to make good decisions and if I do indulge in a taste or two of something during the holidays it won't be the end of the world and I know that physically I can not eat  2 plates ful and lots of desserts like I might have in the past.  I know that I dump on sugar....yes, yes, yes....  For this....I am thankful!!!  I'm sure I'll have people watching me but they aren't going to have much to see...  I'm sure they looked even more before and thought "I can't believe she's eating all that"! 

I'll be hosting Thanksgiving for about 25 people this year and am looking forward to it.  I will make the usual turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, salad and then the rest of the crew brings in the rest of the meal and we put it all together.  I know I will have turkey and some veggies.  I plan to make something I can have with pumpkin.  It's like GlitterGal has said many times...."food is for fuel, not for entertainment".

Yes, Deb you are officially a grown-up!!!

I am looking forward to Thanksgiving food since the cariety is so different.  I am not particularly worried about doing OK with my dietary restrictions.  I know I can't pig out and that is something to give thanks for certainly.  I plan on having a bite or two of foods that I want to eat.  I am pickier now- so so food doesn't pass the tiny tummy test.  If it isn't good I leave it on my plate.  Now, that is certainly a change.  Before if it was on my plate- good, bad, or indifferent- it went in my mouth.

I am working on living the mantra it is a holiDAY!!  It is NOT a holimonth or holiseason- one day only!  Now, if the goodies spread out all over my building can just forget my name I will be in business!

As for me, I choose not to grow up....  i find it necessary to hold onto every bit of youth that I can steal from old man time....

My ideas of food haven't outwardly changed, however not being able to have most of my "fast food" items around me is good for the will-power....

You see...  we, (islanders),don't have "taco bell, Arby's, Krispy Kreme, or QT convenience stores, in fact...we don't have mexican food, indian food, thai food or other foods that I wish we had here...."  so the abscence of those foods makes me a bit more creative during meal time.  I never thought that I would ever eat something called "flax".....  I never really loved soup like I love it now.... and since I'm not able to eat buffalo wings by the multi-dozen, I have replaced the heat in my food with loads of cayenne pepper... 

Soul-filled food can still be had....  I'm one of the lucky few that has Doc B's permission to indulge if I am so inclined....however...being a creature of sheer habit with weakness attached...I've held myslef to a pretty high standard... (thus giving me my almost 4-pack abs...lol)

Do i eat things I shouldn't....YES....do i enjoy it?  YES....  Am I insatiable?  Maybe....  Am I a hedonist who simply wants to endulge my human desires?  EVERY-FREAKING DAY....  Is this Catholic boy doomed to a life of guilt?  Nope....  The Almighty gave me these feelings...  who am I to question His will?

Which leads me to my last point of conversation...  Is it so bad to indulge and enjoy portions of the life you've been given?  I don't think so...  and in fact I want to make certain that St. Peter and God know that I completely enjoyed my life to the fullest degree and the methods I chose to enjoy them with were by Divine Intervention....  that's right....  The Almighty Himself set me on this course....  He makes no mistakes... He is Omni-potent and all knowing so I'm not questioning the path that any of us are on.....  I simply choose to never be the old man in the rocker who had more than a handful of regrets of the things he didn't get to do when he had the chance to live his life....

So eat....try to be good....for you own sake..... but don't be so hard on yourself when you indulge....  Life doesn't have to be about pain....it has enough of that already included...  As for me....  I shall eat the flax....  it makes me happy....with a touch of splenda and a bit of fruit.... and yep...  I'm gonna eat it like a kid would....  I shall be thankful however.... that PF Changs is so far away that I cannot reach and taste the "Great Wall of Chocolate".... 

T.