Poll - how do you deal with the holidays?

Sure.  As I see I can do this, my confidence increases.

Definitely.  Knowing that I can control what I eat (except cookies) and can get through the holidays with no gain at all (or maybe just a pound) is very freeing.  It DOES involve some danger, though, since it can potentially lead to thinking "hey, I have this holiday thing under control, so it won't hurt to have a second cookie", or "I have never gained weight at Christmas, so it will be ok if I buy some _____ to celebrate", etc..  I honestly think it helped me to have to go through my first post-op Christmas at  barely 4 months out, though.  It meant that very early on I had to figure out how to eat some protein and make good choices about having just one bite (or maybe two) of the foods I most wanted a taste of.  So even when I was a year and four months out the next Christmas, I already had the early success of the previous year to help guide me.

Lora

I jut have a plan. I eat 2 bites of two things I really really want. The rest is protein and veggies. I don't feel deprived and I don't gain. :) now if I could just figure out a recipe for an eggnog protein shake I'd be golden!

Seems like I remember Nik has one.... www.bariatricfoodie.com

I broke down and had one cookie. I guess I don't dump because it went down

pretty easy. But mostly I avoid everything. Wouldn't you know it I have trouble

with meat but not cookies.

lol  Me too!!  I get sick off chicken and beef, but the few bites of DH's cheesecake didnt bother me at the Christmas party last week.

I wouldn't base it off of one cookie,  I can eat 2 and then on #3 it gets .... "interesting".  Just assume 1 cookie is your limit.

LJ that's good to know I can only hope. But I don't think I am going to test it yet.That makes me feel a little better. Sugar

has always been my downfall.

I stick with my normal food and protein shakes but then will have a small amount of something if I want.  I do normally make a sugar free dessert to bring when we are going somewhere.  This week at work I did have two pieces of dark choc, with nuts. 

This is my first "real" Christmas after surgery.  I was 4mths post-op last year and stuck very strictly to my plan. This year I allow myself indulgences. Sometimes it turns into an old-me feeding frenzy... fortunately I love the gym.  For the most part I am able to make food plan adjustments to keep from scary numbers in my calorie column.

I do also make some of Nik's desserts and meals. No deprivation here.... I am finally living life out loud!