WLS and enrichment night.

Hello, Last night I went to Relief Society Enrichment Night. We had a theme of around the world in 80 minutes. They spotlighted 3 countries and had sisters, that were from them, talk about their homelands. After that they served foods indiginous to each country. There was nothing there that I could even taste. There are many people on different diets etc so I thought sure there would be some foods that weren't all sugar! Not one. I was fine but I don't suffer from much hunger anymore. What about the others who haven't had wls and do get hungry. There were at least 3 sisters who ended up going off their food plans. I felt bad for them. Should something be said? It isn't fair to stop all food but not fair to those who can't have sugars etc either. Does anyone have any thoughts on this subject? I am just pondering this, not complaining or anything. Besides, wanted to start a thread here. Lets get to know each other. Grins, Kaye

You know Kaye you have a really good point. I am not sure what I would do. I know that I dont' like going to enrichment and haven't went in over a year. Heck it has been much longer than that. I have had a really hard time with going to church since we moved to this branch. I grew up in the branch (well fromt he time I was baptised as a teen ager) and I was very skinny. All of the kids I grew up w/are all off and gone. However, their parents are still here. Our branch has grown and isn't just "older" people. But I still feel very uncomfortable. I am 1 of maybe 2 very overweight members of the branch (Not including my husband who also just had WLS). And extra activities like enrichment are something that I stay away from. Really I always have. But since moving here I think I have went 1-2 times in 2.5 yrs. So...I am thinking my advice on this one wouldn't be the best. Gala

I can relate to you with feeling uncomfortable. I was one of the most obese in our ward also. I hate when I would hear that if we just follow the word of wisdom we will not be overweight. Horse hockey!!! I do follow the word of wisdom and I was VERY overweight. I finally vented in Enrichment night one time. I tried to be very gentle but had to say what I had to say. I was treated a little differently after that by some people who began to look at obese folks a little differently. I told them by thinking that following the word of wisdom would cure obesity they were judging me. I am a proud holder of a temple recommend and the Bishop and stake President signed it. So if they were judging me then they were, in essence saying these two were wrong. At one time, a sister said that the five lbs that she couldn't loose was just as bothersome to her as my 100+ was to me. I scooped up a couple of kids that I thought might weigh 50 lbs or so and told her to carry them around for the whole meeting block. Then to come back and tell me the same thing. Sheesh, the mentality of some people. I know we think that because we all have the gospel we are all kind and compassionate. No we are all just humans walking around trying to do the best we can. I am trying to overcome my own prejudices. Well, sorry to go on so but this is a very sensitive issue for me. I do hope that as you begin to gain more confidence and self-esteem you will begin going to as many meetings as you can. It is good for us and even better for our children to see us going to our meetings. I was totally inactive for much of my childrens childhood and I really regret it. Take care and get better. Grins, Kaye

There are 4 sisters in our ward who are post ops and 8 on weigh****chers, so they always have strawberries and cheese and crackers at enrichment night along with whatever else they serve. I guess us 4 post ops have made a big impression on the ward. -Sherrie

We're fortunate that in our ward we have a dessert that most can eat. We have several women who are diabetics and one with severe food allergies so the sisters in charge are very cautious about serving food that they can eat. This makes it easy for those on diets. I usually don't have anything that has bread in it but there is almost always fruit and nuts to go with it. Eating used to be a HUGE part of my social time. Heck, I never went to a gathering (ward party, baby shower, etc) where there wasn't food and lots of it. After WLS I have learned not to focus so much around food. I've learned that I can just sit with a glass of water and visit and be content. The "mourning" of food phase is getting much better. I suppose that this will be something I battle most my life. Melody

I try and not focus on the food. However, when it has been a very busy day and I haven't had time to eat, a snack would be nice. I really don't care so much for me. Heck, I eat nothing and just drink most of the time. There are many, though, that come right from work or have schedules that don't allow for dinner that night and need something. I am going to talk to the RS President. By the way, your pic reminds me of her. You could be her sister. Neat lady. Since I am a little older, I sometimes feel I have at least a little wisdom to share. Take care, Grins, Kaye

Hi Kaye, From Utah, or "Mormonland" as my brother calls it..... I find SUGAR is such a huge part of food in church activities, I think it's the one vice that's allowed, look how much sugar is suggested to store for food storage, I sure hope we never have some major disaster where I have to live on that, YIKES!! One thing that amazed me, was when going out on a girls night out with some women in the ward (most of them obese --two of them in the RS pres.) I was amazed at how much they ate and desserts, desserts, desserts! It made everybody "giddy" like they'd been drinking! I know I was SO addicted to it before my surgery, so glad it's not a "monkey on my back" anymore, I feel so free!!!! LOL I would just bring my own snacks next time, if we decided to eliminate sugar from church events, I think some people would have withdrawls! It's like "happy hour" for mormon women! Have a great day!!~~Rebecca

Mormonland. Funny. My daughter calls it Mormonia. By no means should sugar be eliminated. Oh no!!! I just think that there should be things for other folks as well. I would be tarred, feathered and run out of the nation, if I suggested we not serve the goodies. OH MY NO!!! I value my life too much for that lololol. Grins, Kaye

Hi Sisters! We cannot be all things to all people. That I have come to terms with. I don't usually go to Enrichment Night either. I had gotten really sensitive to eating at Ward functions because I thought I might be criticised no matter what I ate -- so I jsut didn't eat. The RS Enrichment Leader tries to have portions of the program meet the needs of all the sisters but they just haven't pushed my buttons. I once said that I would like to take part in a serious, deep discussion about the Gospel and I was told that "that's what Sunday is for." I converted 8 years ago and I want so much to learn from others. I didn't get to go to seminary or BYU. We get Learn Your Religion only sporadically. Anyway, IF I were to go I'd take my own snack. I don't expect to be treated "special." And when it's my turn for refreshments they are just going to have to eat healthy!! LOL Pat PS More OT: I live in Missouri. I have a pet peeve about some sisters that move in from Utah or Idaho or any "all Mormon" place. Some of these sisters cannot stop talking about how they do things back home and how they can't wait to be transferred back and how their children are exposed to so many more ways of the world here. When they do leave I hope they see a sign from me on the highway at the Kansas border, "You'll be back to Zion, the New Jerusalem, someday!" and just wave.