First Holiday Season Post VSG stressed already - Any advice?

I am five months post VSG and have been doing well but am finding myself starting to be a bit stressed by all the Christmas treats prominently displayed in the stores. I know from now till the end of the year there will be many holiday parties and temptations. I am trying to keep my eye on my goals but think this first year will be difficult. Any advice on how you got through it?

It IS tough but try to keep your eye on the prize.  Its JUST food.

Very difficult to get back on the horse if you let yourself go during the holiday period.  You don't want to get used to sweets so the longer you delay the better

Try to remember how excited you were when you received your surgery date - how hard you worked to get thru all the appointments to ensure you received this surgery. 

You are doing well - don't screw it up.  Its gets much tougher the further you are from surgery.  Don't let one Christmas ruin your goals

Good luck and you can do it

Thanks so much for your encouragement and words of advice.  I hadn't really been having issues about resisting foods but the night before I wrote this post I fell on the sidewalk for about the first time in about ten years.  I broke my fall with my left wrist and went down on both knees.  I was hobbling about the next day when I visited a grocery store and just felt overwhelmed seeing all the "Christmas" foods but I did resist.  It was a light bulb moment about thinking of food as a comfort thing. By today I am feeling so much better with all the support and feel much stronger going into the holiday season.  Just being aware is really making the difference.  Thanks again.

Hey BarbieM!

For me, I found that by taking my own treats to a party helped. Now, what kind of WLS treats do you ask? Well, Sugar free chocolates(Russell's) really helped. Also, I would cut up a protein bar into bite sized pieces and put them in a baggie. That way I could nibble on them without having to eat from the wrapper. I have even made protein smoothies, freeze them(or at least really cold) and then have that at the party. 

As for the issue with the displays at the store, don't forget....they are there "on display" for people to notice and buy. Look at where you came from and where you are now. It's a hard mental game at times, but it is possible to just look the other way. 

Good luck.

Cheers,

Skotti 

Thanks Skotti.  I loved the tip about the bite size protein bar in a baggie.  This is such a great idea.  I will definitely try this.  I have not tried the sugar free chocolates but I know I have not been to tolerate sugar free ice cream.  I think it is a mental thing about being a "bad" food so therefore it just sends up red flags when I try it.  The longer I am post surgery the more I feel this is a journey of discovery.  Thanks again.    

Make it a game or excerise! Eat before you go and at the party, have a nice beverage with a bit of fruit juice, lots of water & ice in your fist.  Walk around and just be social and enjoy the people and atmosphere.  Parties are even better when you remove the complexities of food from the equation.

Great advice and it puts this in such a positive framework.  Thanks!

The trick for parties is to plan ahead.  If it's a dinner party, don't let yourself go hungry before you get there.  Try to use smaller plates, and if anyone asks, just say that you are more comfortable with that size of plate.  Be conscious of what you are eating, and how much.  If the plate is pre-set (i.e. everyone gets the same plate) follow the rules (protein first) and eat slow enough to listen to your body.  This is the time to spend talking.  If something looks sweet or fatty, don't eat it, you don't want to suffer at a party.

If you are going to a ****tail party/dance.  Go as the DD, and ask for waters, teas, etc.  I find it can be more fun going as the DD and watching the alcohol entertainment.

If you are going to a Christmas lunch at a restaurant, try to find an online menu, then you can decide ahead of time what you will order.  If you know the place has big portions, suggest splitting a meal with someone.  Then neither of you over eat.

As for the stuff in the store, if you don't buy it, you won't eat it.  And if you don't buy it, you can save that amount for a better treat down the road (clothes, hair cut, spa, manicure etc or whatever you are interested in).

Cathy

Thanks Cathy.  These are all such ideas.  I belong to a number of organizations which will all have their own Christmas events so I will be doing everything in your list.  You have some great tips for each scenario and getting through them with my plan in place.  I really appreciate the time you took to answer.  Thanks again.

I would show up at parties with a very large decaf coffee in hand and say I was the DD.  That worked well for me many times. You can also bring food that you know you can eat - cheese tray, meatballs in a small crockpot, shrimp ring.  Try to socialize and focus on conversations and not what is on the food table. Drink lots of fluids (water, coffee, tea), and if you find that you are really struggling, have an exit plan.  You could say you think you are coming down with a cold or flu (no one will try to get you to stay if they think you're contagious) or you could say you have to be up early in the morning.  Don't be stressed, be prepared.