Don't contribute to the crap!!

Don’t contribute to the crap – Just say NO Sometime last year I started a just say No campaign which involved all aspects of my life. If it wasn’t good for me I was no longer going to say YES or participate. I decided I needed to do what was good for #1 ME.. Part of this just say NO campaign is also about food choices and with the holidays just around the corner the focus on food will be magnified.   Everyday pressure with food is bad enough for me personally. As a bariatric patient I have to make healthy choices everyday and that is hard when our society focuses on large amounts of food (super size) and not to mention the not so healthy food choices. It’s about what kind of crap you can get for $1.00.  Pitch in’s at work go on all year long for baby showers, birthdays and celebrations and I always use to “contribute to the crap" and bring in desserts and goodies. The pitch in ends up being about how many desserts can be brought rather than focusing on the event surrounding the food; it’s the food surrounding the event that counts. Bagel Friday turned into donut and how much crap can you bring in Fridays. I can honestly say that I felt like my blood pressure would rise when I walked into the lunch room on Fridays to find all of the sugary, high caloric, fattening items lying on the counter. It was so bad that I would avoid the kitchen on Friday’s all together. After surgery I made a vow that I was going to make healthier choices for me and that I deserve to live a happy healthy life. So now not only do I have the just say NO campaign but I also have the “I don’t contribute to the crap" campaign. When it’s time for a pitch in and the holiday parties start happening first I choose whether I want to participate or not. It is not mandatory that I be a part of all the festivities that revolve around food and that is my personal choice. If I choose to participate I sign up to bring a salad, or veggies/fruit or a cheese/meat tray.  Halloween is this weekend, (it’s all about the candy), Thanksgiving is next month (it’s all about who is bringing what favorite dish and the pumpkin pie), and Christmas is next (it’s all about the cookies, the bread, fudge and grandma’s pecan pie).  This year I say join my campaign and “Don’t contribute to the crap" First decide if you want to attend the festivity (not because you feel guilty) and then if asked offer to bring something bariatric friendly and healthy! Take care of #1 YOU… You deserve to live a happy healthy life!

Definitely something to think about!  I am not going to have many guests for the holidays - so all foods will be focused around healthy.  :)

  I am going to start with the just say NO.  I already don't contribute to the crap.  If someone is having a baby, I just buy them a gift.  If someone is retiring I get them a card.  Your job sounds like mines.  Any excuse to bring in food is key!!  Just this month I started putting my stuff in the refrig up stairs vs. the one in my department because daily someone brings in fatten crap.  Sometimes I think it sabatoge.  Either way I will not be sabatoged.  Thanks for post!!  It reinterates it is OK to say NO when not healthy for ME!!

In the last week or so I have had a revelation that is helping me deal with the pressure....... I was beginning a real pity party over the goodies my family, co-workers and friends were indulging in and I should NEVER indulge in again when it hit me (and you can fill int h blank yourself) "I Can live without __________ because I get to live!" Now that is my motto when I am confronted with goodies of all kinds....The sacrifice is worth it, cause I get to live, to raise my kids, serve my Lord, and LIVE!!!!

THANK YOU!!!! so glad someone hit the nail on the head :) This is just what I needed to hear tonight..thank you for your wise words..I am going to carry them with me over the holidays and maybe longer :)

Thank you so much my love for your contribution.  I just love my family here.  You guys ROCK!
hugs, Y