Holidays and WLS

Well this is the first holiday after my gastric bypass! It's tough! With people bringing food to work and the usual holiday gatherings, it is really getting depressing to not be able to partake as I have the last 40+ years of my life! I just don't have it in me to bake or do any holiday cooking! I'm really having a problem finding the holiday spirit! I've lost 90lbs and don't want to sabotage any of my progress! I know that I can focus on the fellowship with others and the activities but it's hard to change 40 yrs of living in one year! Any suggestions on getting through the holidays??? Thanks, Janie

I keep some kind of bariatric friendly "treat" on hand, both at home and at the office. That way, if the holiday goodies are just really getting to me, I have something I can have that will still be better for me than the stuff available. Sometimes you just have to give yourself permission to have a small piece, like what used to be a bite and now you can make into 3 or 4 bites.  Life after this surgery is not about giving up everything from our old life. It is about learning how to live and enjoy our new lease on life. By constantly depriving ourselves we set ourself up for problems. The holiday goodies won't be around all year to be a temptation. Allow yourself to enjoy the holidays with you in control. If you constantly tell yourself "I can't have that." You are only going to focus on the deprivation you feel. By giving yourself permission to have a specific amount of something that you really want, and at certain times, you are putting yourself in control over the food instead of the other way around. I find that by telling myself I can have that bite of Christmas fudge, cake, etc. after lunch...or tomorrow I will plan that treat into my meal plan...quite often I find that I no longer want it when the time comes. For the times when I do still want it, I enjoy my treat guilt free because it has been planned into my day. As for the holiday baking, I now make one nonsugarfree holiday treat that my family wants. I keep it closed up in a tin when they are not around and send the leftovers home with them so as not to have the temptation in my house. Everything else is sugar free and as lowfat as possible without compromising the flavor and texture. You could always bake something to get you in the holiday spirit and then take it to your local firehouse or police precinct. They are always open to holiday treats and the firefighters especially work off the calories. Unfortunately, they are extra busy this time of year. My son-in-law is a firefighter and they are always thankful when someone brings them treats.

This is my first holiday since my RnY, too!  I guess it just all depends on how you look at the holidays...I have changed my way of cooking and, if I do say so myself, I make some fabulous goodies that are all sugarfree and reduced carb.  I love the challenge of making something that other folks will willingly eat and it gives me a big tickle when they want the recipe!!!!  What a hoot!  I love getting to tell people that I used Splenda.  It just blows their minds! So far, my absolute favorites to make are banana bread (with Splenda and half almond flour, reduced fat content with Enova oil and unsweetened applesauce);  Cherry Cheesecake (this one is fabuous!; Eggless Nog and Boiled Custard (lightened with Splenda, Hood's Calorie Countdown and sugar free vanilla pudding) and Susan Maria's biscotti.  There is no deprivation in our house!  I love baking but I find that I don't love eating as much as I once did...go figure...they cut your stomach off and you loose your appetite!  Big Smile! I hope this puts you in the mood to allow yourself some holiday cheer!  We really are getting better each day.  Happy Holidays Sweet One! Freddie

Thanks so much Freddie and Susan!! It helped a lot to vent but it helped also to know that I can give myself some freedom to "try" a bite if I want. I had a bad episode of dumping on Thanksgiving so I'm a little "sugar shy".  Recipes are appreciated if possible! I'm trying to stay away from carbs totally mainly because it's not in my plan from my surgeon. It's very difficult here at the holidays. I'll do some research on the Splenda website for some bariatric friendly recipes. Thanks again! Janie

Janie:

Paula (PDSmile) just posted a fabulous eggnog recipe.  If your family prefers boiled custard, just leave out the nutmeg, cinnamon and rum flavoring.  You won't believe how good it is!!!

Also, I highly recommend that you log onto bariatriceating.com and set up a user account.  It is free and they have THE BEST recipes on their message board.  The bariatric Paula Dean is Linda Farnsworth.  She is a masterful woman in the kitchen.  You can trust her recipes and they are nothing short of decadent!!!

Take a look through the recipes of the week/month.  I promise you won't be sorry!

Big hug!

Freddie

 

Maybe it's just me, but it's not that hard for me this year.  This is my first holiday season post wls and I guess the focus has changed for me.  It's not what's at the table, but who's at the table.  I'm learning to savor the sights and sounds rather than the flavor.  Don't get me wrong, I miss egg nog and cookies... but I just figured this is one of the sacrifices I must make in order to get my gift of health.  Just my two cents and it's probably worth even less...lol.