Things I've learned my first holiday season as a post-op...

Here's my list: 

1.) There is food EVERYWHERE, and it can be tricky to navigate the minefields of cookies, chocolates, cakes, and old comfort foods. I managed to keep it in check, but it was difficult. More than I ever thought it could be. I kept leaving every room that had tables food--just so I didn't stuff my face with too much. 

2.) Family can be a trigger for overeating. I already knew this was one of my issues, but it has become even clearer as I hosted Christmas morning at my house. I'm really seeing how I got to be as big as I was just by spending a few hours with them. I guess that's why I'm trying to keep my distance, unfortunately. 

3.) Regular sugar doesn't seem to bother me much, which is good and bad. However, nothing is worse than malitol syrup, to me anyway. It seems like I had my first dumping episode today after having a few spoonfuls of a modified tiramisu (I made it), and within a short time, I was very flush and dry heaving. Awfulness. I wish I could have thrown it up, but it just wouldn't come up. This just solidifies my feeling that malitol syrup doesn't agree with me. The chocolate sauce went right in the garbage, and I'll make sure to use something else in the future. 

What have you learned this holiday season?

EDIT: I forgot to add that this is the first year I haven't gained during the holiday season! I know I'm still a noob, so I know every year isn't going to be like this, but it's interesting nonetheless!

That when I make food, I can use light or fat free and nobody else even notices. I can eat with my family just much smaller portions. I don't need cookies or chocolate to survive. I love bread!! Buffalo chicken dip is a good source of protein!!!! LOL

I love buffalo chicken dip! LOL And yes, bread is hard, too. I do eat it, but in smaller quantities. 

I made lasagna for a party that I went to on Christmas Eve. I don't like ricotta cheese so I make mine with lots of meat (sausage, ground beef, ground veal and ground pork) and mozzarella cheese and use Dreamfields Lasagna. It makes a really great WLS friendly dish and nobody noticed the difference in the pasta. I only asked family about the pasta because they can be brutally honest with me!!

I still can't eat much, even when I want to...... 

I brought fish for myself since I'm still on the fence with beef and turkey (that's what my parents' were serving Christmas Eve). I made homemade macaroni and cheese for everyone else, and I definitely didn't feel guilty about that at all. For me, it's more of staying away from sweets and breads, which was very hard to pass over. I know my pouch would have told me otherwise, but I definitely didn't want to test the waters at dinner! LOL Besides, I was so full from the fish and few forkfuls of green beans and butternut squash casserole that one of my sisters brought, that I couldn't even think of eating more. 

As I said in another post, the traditional egg/bread casserole was gross and it wasn't the way it was prepared, it was me.  The sausage links didn't sit well in my pouch either.  I love a frittata with cheese and veggies but this casserole was solid bread soaked in egg and milk and all I could think about was the bread. 

Ugh! I'd be dreaming about bread! LOL

I made a crockpot egg casserole for Christmas morning, and it had hash browns in it (in addition to other stuff). I could only eat about 1/2 c. of it because it was so dense and filling. We still have two serving bowls-worth of it in the fridge! Haha! 

That it's so exciting and wonderful to wake up and know that life is getting better and better.  I am anxious for everyday and seeing the changes take place and other folks around me noticing.   Food wise, keeping busy keeps me out of the kitchen duh! I mean dragging busy that I feel like I'm burning calories every second.  Shopping and cleaning house for people to come over definitely does it for me.  And the crazy part, is to be happy about it?  Who would have thunk it?   Sooooo, ready for the new year and all the changes that it is going to bring!! 

(((Hugs)))) to everyone who makes this board what it is and for all of us who are doing what we need to be HAPPY, HEALTHY and in CONTROL.

 

Sherry

I'm right there with you! I can't wait for more changes--no matter what they are! 

I finally learned this holiday season that it is possible to cook for my family and not overeat. It took me many years to finally get it. Thanksgiving was a little harder. For Christmas dinner, I cooked ham, roast chicken, Yams, rice,  string beans, stuffing , cranberry sauce, cornbread. and chocolate cake for desert. Instead of sitting down, I kept serving. When I finally sat down. I filled my plate with salad., and a piece of cornbread. I had a small sliver of chocolate cake for desert. That's it. I finally decided that I really did want to stay in the size 12 pants that I can't believe I can finally buy, after being a 22/24.So what I learned is that I can finally say no. it is not worth the moment of satisfaction. I would rather buy a new sweater in a size medium instead of a 2 x or 3 x that to stuff my self and then feel horrible later.No matter how much your family loves you, no one will care about you more than you. We can do it.