Handling the Holidays

I've really enjoyed the holiday season this year.  My new tool has made it so easy for me to walk away from the holiday goodies that used to call my name from across the room.  I didn't completely abstain from the holiday treats.  I learned that I can eat one cookie or piece of chocolate and be satisfied.  I don't need to eat them all -- like I would have in the past.

My kids came over for the holiday dinner on Sunday.  I cook so little these days that I had forgotten the magic skill that makes all the dishes ready at the same time.  I still have it, but it was very rusty.  We had such a wonderful day with my kids and grandson.  I cried when they left...tears of joy.  DH gave me that man-look.  You know the "I don't get why you cry when you're happy" look.  He gave me a hug anyway.  The kids live here in town so it isn't like I never see them.  Still it was a great day.

My stall finally broke!!!!  After nearly 3 weeks without any weight loss, I'm down 3 pounds in 2 days.  However, my hair started falling out!  I was expecting the stall and the hair thing so I'm not panicking yet.

The worst part of the holidays has been my trend toward my old eating habits.  These are the habits that got me up to 270 pounds.  Eating in the evening and eating while watching TV.  DH and I have been active.  We've been working out every day, but we've spent a lot of time around the house watching movies and TV too.  It has been pretty cold here, especially for south Texas. The cold weather tends to keep us inside. 

I think it is good that I am recognizing the patterns before they become problems and I'll be rededicating myself to changing the behaviors.

My DGD #1 (10 years old) arrived from Boise yesterday.  We'll have her around the next week.  She and DH are big pals.  She'll keep me occupied in the evenings. 

I'm looking forward to NYE.  We are having a party at our house.  It should be a fun night.  I'm not tempted to drink, but I'm very tempted to take pictures of others. 

Overall, this has been a great time of year and I'm doing fine with my RNY.  Not perfect, but very good!

Kay

Kay - I'm very glad to hear that you are taking full advantage of your tool.  I felt the same way last year - I wasn't really tempted at all to test the waters with sugar (even though I was over a year out)... I didn't see it as being deprived - I saw it as using my tool to maintain my success.

What I also liked is you saying "Not perfect, but very good!"  I think that is a great way to sum up how you did.  Most of us will beat ourselves up - but we also need to realize that having surgery helps us get the weight off and obtain new eating habits, but my motto is "moderation, not deprivation" - being able to use our tool effectively will keep us successful!

Congratulations on your successes!   

Dear Kay,
  I'm so glad that your holidays have gone so well!  I think that this kind of honest assessment and reflection is exactly what we all need to do around these trigger points.  It helps us to see what's going on, what we want/need to change, and then move on!
  You're doing great.  Have fun with your family!

Rosa

NYE is a pool party.  I tried on some of my smaller swimsuits.  I actually got a "wow" from DH.  I'm not small, but much smaller than I was.  Maybe next year I'll have the nerve to wear a white bikini!  I'm thinking about your challenge!

Kay

 Way to go! 

Hugs, 

Hurray for the stall breaking.  That means you really haven't been too bad and it sounds like you have been pretty darn good.

I am just a week or two before you and have many of the same feelings about the holiday.  My bad was tasting while I was cooking.  My son has been home since Wed night because of Christmas, then the snow, so I have cooked a lot more than I would have for just DH and me.  I did eat some chocolates and cheesecake (low fat and SF) but overall have continued to lose and feel ok about it.

My hair is also starting to fall out.  Not gobs, but more than I would like.  I've been enjoying it shoulder lenght after 25 yrs of it being short but I'll go short again if it starts looking awful.

Have a great New Year Party.

After 20 years of wearing my hair "no longer than the bottom of my collar", I'm enjoying having it longer.  My hair dresser is making a plan for a fabulous new hair style if the hair loss is too noticeable. 

Still, the surgery is worth a little hair in the long run!

Kay

We are about the same, as far as surgery dates go, I was tempted too and did give but as you did. Only a bite of a cookie ( gave to children from there) or just 1 hershey kiss. You are doing wonderful and using your head. ( I need to do the same) Keep it up.

Kay,
Congratulations on breaking that stall.  Sounds like you did pretty good over the holidays.

I've had some of my old habits sneaking back in this holiday season also and am working on stopping them also.  Good luck to you. 

Enjoy your DGD this week and have fun at your party!!

Linda

Changing my eating habits has been the hardest part.  I'm never really hungery ... yet.  Old habits die HARD.