Holiday Eating

Just thought I would offer my support to my fellow WLS peers during this not ordinary time called Christmas (or the politically correct Holidays). We are in various stages of pre-op and post op, which somewhat determines what our challenges will be, but we share a desire to "not screw it up too much". Last year I was at a point that I could tolerate pretty much anything (I've been that way all along), but I was still not eating very much and didn't have any pull to snack. I had a few cookies and enjoyed the holiday meals in moderation. I don't remember how much - but I continued to lose steadily during that period. This year I am finding that the business of the holiday has been affecting my good habits. A couple of the days I did the really big shopping at the mall I intentially didn't drink ANY water because I didn't want to have to go to the bathroom every 1/2 hour. Another day I skipped a healthy meal because I was a bit queasy from eating the toffee I made for the neighbors. I know I should take a little time for myself and go to 24 Hour Fitness and swim laps, but I am TO DAMN BUSY! Despite the above confessions (there could be more but I'm not going to search my mind for them) I'm not panicked. The huge difference in my mind and my body since surgery, is that on the days I didn't do so great, I didn't see it as an excuse to not bother doing any of the other healthy things I now do. WLS has freed me from the all or nothing mentality (i.e., I might as well wait until after New Year to start the diet, I screwed up so I might as well start doing good after we get back from California, why take that walk since I already ate that cookie, etc.) There is a calm and confidence that I will pull back to center. I am just not the same person anymore, and my old thought process has been short circuited. The holidays are not a normal time of year in regards to meals, exposure to bad foods, stress from family events, etc. Folks in the earlier stages might not even be tempted. Others may "sin" for the first time. You might have a bad reaction to a food you don't eat in your normal every day routine, and feel like a dope for even considering that it would maybe be O.K. It's not the best idea to try a new food for the first time when at a party, but the mood and the moment just could creep up on you. My message is to enjoy this special time of year. Your pouch is there to help you through. Do your best, be prepared by drinking and eating the right things so you aren't so tempted. Pre-op I had a fear that this very type of eating event (Christmas) was something I was going to have to give up and would mourn. I have found that whatever I am able to eat, in whatever quantity, seems yummy and great, and like enough. It feels just as good - no BETTER than when I didn't have the restriction and could eat with abandon. Have a great Christmas everyone! Patty

Hi Patty. Thanks for writing. I must admit that I am pretty scared that I might gain back the weight I have lost and/or not lose any more. I have maintained my weight give or take 2 lbs now for about 2 months, and I want to keep losing. I am surprised at how much I am able to eat 4 1/2 months post-op! Any words of wisdom that you can give would be greatly appreciated. (You see why I want to get our support group up and running!) Hugs, Peg

All very good points, Patty. My new meds are helping, too. tee

That's great to hear! Working on things from all directions is the key. Patty

You hit the nail on the head Patty. I know I've imbibed too often with a cookie here and a cookie there (I can't have them laying around the house, but my husband made wayyyyy too many of them). So I'm struggling with my 5 lbs up and down still. But the thing is, I do feel more relaxed with holiday eating than I did before because I do stop, whereas before I was, as you said, eating with wild abandon. I *love* feeling full now. It does worry me, as with nearly every post-op, that I can eat more now though, and I hate to see that I can polish off a small plate of food. But I have to remind myself that it's still a minor fraction of what I could eat before. So I eat a little bit of almost anything. And if I want eggnog, I just mix some with some Carb Countdown milk and I'm good to go! Dina

Lucky for me I don't like eggnog. I admire adding the Carb Countdown. I warned my family that whatever is still left on the holiday plates (cookies, candy gifts, etc.) is going out tomorrow (which is today). It was a great scene, but the tree is down and the junk is going out. Back to normal (at least until the next invite to something for New Years). Chicken bento for lunch - get that protein train going again. Patty