Poll - how do you deal with the holidays?

I'm curious about how everyone handles the holidays after surgery.  I know if you're recently post op, you're sticking to a pretty limited diet.  At least, I hope so.  I hope no one here is pureeing Christmas cookies if they are supposed to be on pureed foods!

But if you're not recently post op, if you're on a regular diet, how do you handle things?

Do you stick to your normal meal plan and ignore the holiday goodies?

Do you indulge in holiday goodies in moderation?

Do you end up indulging more than you think you should?  Do you end up regretting what or how much you eat?

Do you make special foods that are WLS-friendly?  Like, do you make sugar free cookies or no sugar added pies or something like that?

Do you end up feeling deprived around the holidays?  Or are you satisfied with what you eat and do?

I indulge in goodies in moderation and also sometimes make sugar free goodies or other WLS-friendly treats.  I don't feel deprived and I don't end up regret what or how much I eat.  For me, the key is planning ahead so that when everyone else is enjoying yummy holiday stuff, I have something yummy too, even if it's just a really good protein shake.

well I am only 6 days post so I will be liquids all the way :)   for my family they are enjoying the treats that I am making.  I do not know what has happen to me but now I love to cook.   I think next year I will be looking for ways to make better treats that fit into my lifestyle  and enjoying them in a much smaller way.

I am not quite two weeks post op but my daughter , SIL, and granddaughter came in Friday for a week.  It's been hard because I am making their favorite foods,  and all kinds of snacks, and of course she brought her regular (our favorites) cookies  for dad and rest do family........feeling very deprived.......hope this feeling passes

So far I've done well indulging in moderation. I'm 9 months out so I am on regular diet. Yesterday I had 2 bites of my dad's piece of cheesecake and I was satisfied just having that. I used to have a major sweet tooth preop, especially around this time of year, but honestly I don't feel deprived. When I get to wear that size 6 red dress on Christmas day I'm definitely not gonna care that I can't have cake or cookies. I'll happily sip my chocolate protein shake and know I'm being smart. I do plan to buy some sugar-free pudding today. That will be my little treat for the week.

Happy Holidays everyone!

I indulge in moderation. I do not fear the holidays anymore because I know I can handle the goodies without gaining all my weight back. So far this year I am still under my goal weight and plan on staying here.

I eat small amounts of whatever sounds yummy...  If someone brings in treats at the office, I choose which one looks the MOST delicious and have s small amount  (and throw the other half away sometimes if it is pre-portioned or is a large cookie, etc.).  At holiday dinner I allow myself 2 small bites of anything and everything.  The protein first rule still applies, but I usually consciously make the protein serving a bit smaller.  Less protein for just one  day is not a problem.

Lora

I pretty much do the same as Lora.  I enjoy myself and have small bites of those things that I most want.

Just like the rest of the year--I will indulge in moderation.  I do not dump.

I will eat one each of the appetizers I am making (a very small bite of french bread with the new hot pizza cheese dip I'm making and a little smokie with bacon wrapped around it baked w/brown sugar). 

I will each a small portion of each of the dishes I am making, concentrating primarily on protein, then veggies, then a bite of the starch.  We are having Leg of lamb, lemon risotto, bacon & onion carrots, and corn.  I may have a bite of my fiance's roll with butter too.  I will then wait and have desert probably an hour later just a much smaller portion of apple crisp and vanilla ice cream.  I will have a light breakfast, probably something like yogurt, and a later, light dinner of probably a protein bar.  I also plan on going for a walk after dinner around our neighborhood if its not too cold out (I live in Nantucket, Ma so the weather can be tricky.  We don't get snow like the rest of the northeast but it's gotten colder lately.)

I also plan on sipping wine while i cook (after I eat something) and having a glass with dinner.  I never drive if I have any alcohol and I usually only drink alcohol at home.  I used to drink alcohol once a week, but haven't had any since Thanksgiving and reserve it for special occasions or if we go out (which is very rare).

Balance and moderation work for me. 

Mallisa

For those a number of years out, did you find your confidence increased once you had made it to goal AND you had made it through a full circuit of holidays while maintaining?