How are you guys handling the Halloween candy?

I bought Halloween candy last week-end and to my surprise I put them in the pantry and never gave them a second thought, I think it is in part because I am not food focused anymore and in part because sweets don't taste good to me anymore - even a banana is too sweet for me!

For Turkey Day - well, that would be an issue if I really liked the food, but I can easily do without it, I will probably eat a small portion of turkey, we will not be making stuffing, because that is my favorite part of the dinner, and that is what did me in last year, when I was on the pre-op diet and had gained a lb by the time I went to weigh in (and Dr. B. wasn't too happy, to put mildly!).  Also, I am shifting my focus on something else during Thanksgiving - Black Friday!!!!! Yep, I am up and at Kohl's at 4:00 a.m........so this year that is really what I am looking forward to!

Christmas - I will be in California...might end up having different kinds of foods, but, will not be over-eating, simply because I can't...but I will not stress if I have a bite or two of something I would not normally eat (this is btw, when I really drop some weight - when I am out of my routine!)

Overall, I am not really stressed about it - I know my limits and I don't really have cravings for anything.......I do love dark chocolate though, but I usually have some at home all the time, and if I want some, I eat a tiny bit, so that that craving goes away and then I am good.

WELL I HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH THE TEMPTATIONS EVER SINCE I CAME BACK TO WORK FROM HAVING MY SURGERY IN JUNE. WE HAVE A DISPATCHER WHO BAKES ALL THE TIME. BROWNIES,CAKES, COOKIES ETC. AND THEN I DON'T BUY HALLOWEEN CANDY BECAUSE MY SON HAS OUTGROWN THAT AND WE HAVE A HOME FOOTBALL GAME THAT NIGHT. AS FOR THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS....WELL I PLAN ON TAKING A LITTLE BITE OF THINGS BECAUSE I GET FULL SO FAST. I HAVE TO HAVE A TASTE, I JUST HAVE TO!! SAME WITH CHRISTMAS. BUT I WILL ALSO DRINK PLENTY BEFORE I EAT SO I WON'T FEEL LIKE I AM STARVING WHEN I SIT DOWN.

I won't have Halloween candy because we live out in the rural area and won't have trick or treaters.  I tested the waters on something sweet the day of the OU vs TX game.  My girlfriend baked a home made apple cake with home made caramel frosting....it was calling my name and I gave in to it.  I didn't have but about 4 bites but....I hurled(YEEHAWWW).  I had to remind myself that this was one of the reasons I chose the RNY.  Sweets are my thing and I didn't ever want to be able to go back to "my thing".  I think thinner, healthier and feeling so much better is soooo much better than eating holiday foods.....  I will probably have a bite of mashed potatoes, maybe a bite of stuffing and some salad and turkey.  I don't eat much ever since I just can't but I plan to put a few of the different things on my plate that I normally don't have...but absolutely NO sweets.  Hurling is not fun...ever!!

My wife and I bought candy the other night, but just enough to fix a bag for the 4 kids across the street from us and for our 2 kids.  We are then leaving for the evening, so we won't have to hand out candy and have any left.  Family wants us in OKC for Thanksgiving, but not sure if we are going since my kids have to work the day after.    At any kind of get together though, like when we took our son out for his b'day recently, I had already decided  that I will concentrate and enjoy the company of my awesome wife and kids, and not the food.  By doing that, I had such a great time, and didn't feel deprived.   If we do Thanksgiving in OKC, I will go with the same attitude.   I love being around family.  I guess also I am excited I don't have to endulge in my eating compulsion and have it consume my every thought now -- I can concentrate on more important things.  Michael

Fortunately sweets haven't even tempted me so far so I'm hoping that will continue.  Melissa brought in some Halloween candy last night but it doesn't even look good.  Of course I'm still not eating anyway so it does make it easier!!

As for Thanksgiving, my wish is that I am eating again and able to eat some turkey.  The holidays have always been hard for me in the past but now I think it will take me forever just to get to where I can eat normally again.  I will be so glad to eat and drink again.

I think you did the right thing by buying candy that you don't like.  I do that too when I don't want to be tempted.  I would just make sure you don't keep it around after Halloween.

You'll do great.  By the way I love the new picture of you.  You look fantastic!!

Thanks all!  Hopefully we can all do well this eating season! 

If I can figure out how to control my eating at work I will be golden!  From this point on there will be ooodles of yummy baked goods available in every office and the teacher's workroom.  No wonder do many teachers are fat!  I may have to blindfold myself!  Man these old habits are hard suckers to break!

You know, I think Michael hit the nail on the head though.  We all just need to concentrate on the holliday season with the intention of enjoying our families and the true meaning of each holliday.  I feel so blessed and will be forever grateful for having had the most wonderful 7 months of my life and a awesome second chance at a new outlook on life...  We can all be participants and no just looking on from the outside.  This feels sooo much better than anything could possibly taste!!!

I am also going to figure out something non-food to be my holiday handout thing to keep on hand (I used to make fudge).  Now, fudge was never a problem for me, I don't like it and I think I'd puke now, but I want to walk the walk so to speak and not make everything about food.

My food treat my Mom makes for me (besides SF cranberry relish) is a no fat added chex mix with just wheat, rye chex and some nuts (I don't like pretzels).  She makes it extra salty and worceshirey and will even burn part of it because that is my favorite part.....LOL.