A Game Plan for the Holiday Season

[Lynn P]

Hi everyone!

I remember my first Holiday Season after surgery was stressful for me. I had always had a hand in the planning and cooking of the meals (duh, that was part of my problem!). My family was worried that our "Celebration Feasts" would severely suffer with my new way of life. I was determined to make the season a success for everyone.

I decided that what ever I decided to put into my mouth had to be the best possible fuel. I was thinking of my new body as a luxury and stylish race car. I wasn't gonna treat my Maserati like a beat up VW. Everything i ate had to be "Worthy" of the new me.

I also decided I had to be in charge of the menu. Not that I was going to make my family eat WLS recipes. No... I decided to make things I knew didn't agree with me so that I wouldn't be tempted. I decided on foods that gave me "the foamies" --you know that yucky feeling when something is stuck or just doesn't sit right and you are on the verge of "Loosing it". I don't have the dumping syndrome (usually Lap Banders don't seem to have this issue) but I do have foods that really make me feel like I have a hangover. I hate feeling yucky, so I decided to make some of those dishes as well..

The result? We had a traditional Thanksgiving dinner (a lot of items didn't agree with me anyhow, like potatos, stuffing, bread) with a few more protein and vegetable options.

I was always taught after surgery to eat my protein 1st, vegies 2nd, then see if I had room for anything else. I usually didn't, but if I did, I wasn't as hungry, so I didn't get out of control.

I applied that theory at every holiday get together. I felt in control. Isn't that the most important feeling? Don't worry too much about the scale. Just enjoy the season with loved ones.

I also realized that no matter if I felt I had eaten too much... the amount that made me feel full was A WHOLE LOT LESS than what use to make me feel at a holiday meal. THAT is an accomplishment by itself.

Please share your strategies for the upcoming Holiday Season

[MsJacquiiC]

Great post Lynn! I love the analogy of your WLS as a Mazeratti LOL -- I subscribe to the ideology "anything in moderation." -- I've told my surgeon that it seems I have a "cast-iron" pouch in that I'm able to eat most anything, even breads and fried foods without having the negative reaction that most have. The restriction is quite nice though actually. So instead of 4 or 5 turkey sandwiches ((I love the left-over turkey so much LOL)) in one sitting - it'll be a half turkey sandwich for lunch perhaps the other half for dinner.

In fact - We have this new tradition where we have Thanksgiving dinner a little early each year - kinda spontaneous thing I thought up a few years back because I was anxious to get my eat on... So we actually had dinner last night - in fact I posted it on my Facebook page last nite LOL

Had a wonderful early Thanksgiving dinner with my Mama and friends tonite. I cooked the turkey and she cooked a fabulous cornbread/sage dressing (the most fabulous in the entire state of the Universe...), succulent greenbeans that were practically marinated with bacon & simply exquisite chicken and dumplings. My Mama is the best cook in the state of Tennessee =) YUM! **wipes greenbean juice off my lips**

I had a little taste of everything; a very small portion size for everything except the turkey, which I had a pretty sizeable piece of because I wanted to get the protein in... I actually had a second little sliver of the cornbread/sage dressing. I would imagine the meal to have been 600 calories or so because of the portion size decisions I made...

We'll have another Thanksgiving dinner on the 26th I imagine and I think I'll be able to make the same portion control decision BECAUSE of the gastric bypass. I was satiated and didn't deny myself.

So for me - I have to say my strategy is all about portion size decision: not overdoing it of course, eating to satiety and no more, not denying myself & most importantly - enjoying the time with my family. I think even more than the meal itself was the camaraderie of the entire process.

Jacquii.

[MsJacquiiC]

A Tip From Unjury.com: Three Simple Tricks to Avoid Weight Gain During the Holidays

Unjury is my favorite protein suppliment. They have vanilla, chocolate, strawberry sorbet and chicken flavored protein suppliments. They use only the highest quality protein and the protein shakes have no aftertaste! At anyrate - I like to post their customer updates on the forum and below is a recent update. If interested ==> Order at UNJURY Medical Quality Whey Protein Isolate. Best Tasting Whey Protein Powder. Most Trusted Whey Protein Powder Supplement. - Tell 'em WLS Journey Community Forums sent you -- I'm sure the same tips work well with your favorite protein suppliment too.

Every season it seems like the news has stories about how the average person gains pounds during the holidays. The holidays can be a nice time of year, and everyone needs some fun. How about some ways to avoid the gain, without giving up the fun? The secret is to let UNJURY crowd out the extra calories! Have a serving of UNJURY before going to any social event. You can still enjoy the food, but you won't be starving when you arrive. Be sure to have UNJURY with breakfast every morning. (Don't skip breakfast! It can lead to overeating during the day.) Keep UNJURY with you when you are on-the-go or at work -- so you are not tempted by other snacks (or don't eat as much).

BTW - if you too are an Unjury Lover ==> Join the WLS Journey Unjury Lovers Group. I post all of their pertinent updates for all group Members to enjoy!

Jacquii.