Hey everyone!  It appears that we have "slumped off" here on the Indiana boards lately and not alot of activity is going on.  I wanted to try to get things moving along again and see what we could do to support each other thru the holiday season. 

It was always hard to get by the holidays before surgery without gaining weight with all those temptations at every turn and corner.  Parties and get togethers might be even more stressful for you since surgery.  I am interested in all of us sharing ideas of ways to make it thru the holiday party schedule and meals without getting into "trouble".

Please feel free to share your thoughts on here so we can all benefit them.

My first and easiest suggestion is to take your own small dishes to eat from whenever you can.  I know my family provides the "plates with sideboards" for all the meals and that is just way to tempting and will only cause me more grief than its worth!

Second suggestion is plan ahead!  Take your own lunch pack if you need to... early out it may be just SF jello and broth... but you are still able to socialize... so don't stress too much about what will be provided .... just take your own!

Anyone else got helpful hints?

Thanks, Tracy

Tracey, I have been thinking of you a lot recently. Wondering how you are doing. You give such good suggestions. I have done some of those since I am almost 3 1/2 years out. I have managed to maintain my weight. I think my body has found its happy place. I want to be 9 -10 pounds less but no matter what I do it just hangs on. If I do get it off then it creeps back on little by little until I am where I am at today. I personally am not going to attend a couple of parties because all they serve is cakes, cookies and goodies. Just too much temptation for me to go through. I have enough every other day of the week. I find I can overeat on the good for me food without it being loaded with sugar and fat. I struggle on a daily basis keeping my eating where it needs to be to maintain my weight.

Sue, It's good to hear from you!  I am trying to get things back to normal.  I have battled with depression since losing my father in May but hopefully will get back on the track of a normal lifestyle.  I have maintained my weight within about 6 lbs and I too, think my body might be settled in after 2 yrs post op. 

Thanks for the comments and hope to hear from more "losers" too.  :)