lsereno

Honestly, I just couldn't squeeze in more. It's a result of bad planning. If I don't get enough in earlier in the day, it's too hard to play catch-up. Today, I've got three cups under my belt and planning on getting another in before I eat lunch. I haven't been paying much attention to fluids and didn't realize how little I was getting in. Thanks to a post from LV about not getting enough and my focus on the 12 days of Christmas to get back on track, I realize just how far off the path I was on suggested Fluid intake. Lynda

Love PdxMan's reply. I am also on my third holiday season post op. In addition to doing almost the same as PDXMan (I do drink alcohol but only two max), I also: Eat low calorie versions of my fav treats, such as adding nutmeg and Splenda to warm milk instead of drinking eggnog, coffee with a splash of milk and sugar free pumpkin syrup instead of Starbucks holiday coffees, eggnog frozen yogurt instead of ice cream, sugar free hot apple cider, and spinach dip made with Greek yogurt with veggie dippers. When indulging in full calorie treats, I eat them out instead of having them at home. I weigh every day to stay in goal range. I consider staying at goal and healthy my christmas present to myself, not a punishment. I enjoy non food holiday fun, including walking the neighborhood to see the lights, making crafts with the kids, burning holiday scented candles, and donating time to charities. Lynda

Hi Linda, I used the unjury chicken soup Protein. Like others, I added a little Water and used a mini whisk. Or the blender ball cup works well too. I also used a thermometer to get water as hot as possible without clumping and preheated my cup so it stayed warm. Lynda

Ugh. Missed on the Fluid intake yesterday. I got 7 cups, and that counts coffee and two drinks. So that's my goal again today. 64 oz. of fluids. Off for a walk. Lynda

Here are some low cal foods I enjoy for the holidays: Heat milk or soy milk, add a little Splenda and stir in a dash of nutmeg. sugar free hot apple cider mix (found by the hot cocoa mix) Add a splash of milk or soy milk to coffee or decaf with a couple tablespoons sugar free Torini pumpkin pie syrup. Spinach dip made with Greek yogurt instead of mayo and sour cream. Eat with baby carrots, sugar snap peas, and cucumber rounds as dippers. Eat your favorite treat when not at home. If it's not bite size, share with someone else. (Newly post ops be careful when trying foods you haven't eaten post op) And some non food ideas: Burn holiday scented candles Make crafts instead of Cookies with the kids Get a new scented lotion and lipgloss Lynda

Congrats Jane! Happy 2nd Sleeviversary. Here's to many more! Lynda

I live in downtown San Jose and I'm thinking of walking the Santa Fun Run/Walk on December 15. It would be fun to have a WLS Santa Group. Are you in? Details here: http://santarunsv.com Lynda

Model the life you want for your children. Do you want them to give themselves up for their children? Teenagers will be unhappy, it's the nature of the beast. But you living a fulfilled, happy, healthy life that includes time for them is the best present you can give. My mom set an example for me of how to be happy, strong in the face of adversity and loving without giving up her interests or life. I am grateful for that. Did she have faults? Well, yes, she is human. Lynda

I have to have easy options for complicated days. I don't normally drink bottled Water, but I do when traveling or my schedule is crazy. I take the bottle in my purse so I can work on getting fluids in. And I know opinions vary, but I do count all drinks as fluids, including milk, coffee, tea. I also have a few grab and go foods for busy days. I often shove a Baggie with a piece of bread folded around two slices of lunch meat in my purse so I have something healthy to eat while out and about. You've done great this year LV and it's good to have a goal for the second year out. I'm almost three years out, and I'm still working on stuff. Lynda

Happy to walk slower! I'll PM you to set up details. Lynda

I've decided I'm going to make an extra effort on at least one thing per day between now and Christmas. My version of the 12 days of Christmas. So today I'm going to monitor my Fluid intake and get in at least 64 ozs. No Snacks after dinner, but I may have a cocktail or two if we go out to eat. No added sugar other than the cocktail. And at the end of the 12 days, I'm going to Celebrate with a sparkly, new piece of clothing to wear to parties. Lynda

I liked the Gold Standard whey Protein powder mixed with a packet of Starbucks Via Instant Decaf and Water. I used a blender ball. Mixing in the blender made it too foamy. Cottage cheese is high in protein when you are allowed it. Lynda

Yes! All day no sugar and tonight, Lipton Diet Green Tea after dinner along with an evening of Candy Crush. Lynda

I eat it on Special K crackers, graham crackers, or mini bagels. Probably good with apple slices too but I usually eat those with PB2. Lynda

Congrats LL, that's quite an accomplishment and you look fabulous! Here's to 2014 and life at goal! Lynda

Congrats! 150 looks stunning on you! Lynda

Me too! I still do holiday baking, but I package it up and give it away. I leave just a little for hubby I fill my cute holiday candy jars with peppermint candy because it doesn't interest me. I buy low cal holiday treats, such as sugar free Torini pumpkin pie syrup ( great in coffee with a splash of milk or soy milk!), sugar free hot cider, little cutie tangerines, small amounts of nuts in the shell ( slows me down because I have to shell them), turkey little smokies, and the laughing cow cinnamon cream cheese. I also buy scented candles because I love the holiday scents. I eat Protein first at holiday parties. I will NEVER be able to ignore my eating. Lynda

If you can have a little cooler: I like Fage or Chobani yogurt. I buy the plain and mix with Splenda and frozen fruit. I pack it in the small glad bowls. If you don't have time for this, they also sell it in small containers with fruit on the side. Light string cheese with a slice or two of lunch meat wrapped around it. Cottage cheese. Buy a big container and pack your own or the grab and go size. EAS Carb Control Protein drink in vanilla. 17 grams of protein. My favorite protein is the powdered Gold Standard Whey in Vanilla. Take a measured scoop of it to work in a blender ball cup with 1 packet of Starbucks via instant decaf. Add Water, shake, and drink. 23 grams of protein. Lynda

First, you can't hate yourself thin. Have a real heart to heart with yourself about why you can't get the eating under control. Consider therapy. It helps a lot of people, myself included. Look at the 5:2 eating thread in the vets forum. It's worked for a lot of people. Make a plan. Get the bad foods out of the house. Buy the heathy foods you like and put them in portion controlled packages so they are grab and go. Eat solid Protein first, cut the carbs and drink your Water. Buy yourself a present, you deserve it! Everyone's journey is different. Don't compare yourself to others. Lynda

Thanks all! I made it last night. Today, I'm not eating any added sugar items. Holiday time is hard for me, but I passed up the Cookies and the charity work event I attended today and instead of kettle corn for an afternoon snack, I had an ounce of Special K crackers, 3 tablespoons of low cal spinach dip, and a couple of turkey mini sausages. I've also had a cup of sugar free hot apple cider. I'm going to try to hold off dinner till around 7 and go without an after dinner snack again. Lynda

OMG. http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/04/tech/innovation/microsoft-smart-bra/ I also posted this in the Lounge. I can't find the WLS News forum anymore. Here's the story highlights: STORY HIGHLIGHTS Researchers developed a bra prototype with sensors to monitor a woman's emotional state The bra could send alerts to the wearer's phone to combat overeating

yes, I used Musselmans Cider. Lynda

Thank you! My stomach is gurgling like a new post-op, but I'm holding strong tonight! Lynda

Yeah, I get tipsy faster, but I also weigh more than 100 lbs less than I did. For me, the buzz lasts just as long. I generally drink martini style, less mixer to suck down. I generally stick to one or two. If it's a longer evening, I can do three. Lynda

. We made a Fireside Cider for the San Jose Woman's Club Holiday Mixology 411. Hot cider with Fireball. Drop a few cinnamon candies in the bottom to make it glow. Yummy! But it was regular cider, not carbonated. Lynda