With all the food challenges during the holidays, I think I did very well. I am trying to look at life with a band as a LIFE. Not a diet......a diet implies that you can choose to follow it or not.

So, I went into the holidays with the mindset of making good choices and not depriving myself. And I think I did very well. Did I have sweets? Yes--but just a taste....not several servings! And not 25 different tastes!! Just one or two. At Chrismas dinner (we did italian food --stuffed shells, meatballs, veggie lasagna) I had a little bit of what I liked. I didn't fill my plate with food I don't really like just to be polite. I had two stuffed shells and a meatball. I didn't have seconds (was full and didn't want any).

I still beat myself up........I had some chips and dip.......but the difference....this year, I had a few chips on my plate and a spoonful of dip. Last year, it would have been most of a bag of chips and the container of dip!! I don't know how long before I stop the mind games and start thinking like a thin person.

I do have to say, I had more carbs than I normally have and my GI tract didn't like it very much.....TMI...sorry.

So, now I am back on track. I have a thing of chili in the crock pot (best thing to have during a blizzard!) My fill appointment for today was cancelled due to the blizzard. I need to call tomorrow and I am sure they will get me in tomorrow.

I hope everyone had a good holiday.

crock pot! yummmmm

dont worry, we all are getting used to things we arent used to like not eating a whole bag of chips. surround ur self with healthy foods. shop at markets, organic stores, whole foods. know and love what u put in ur body. cuzu only have one body

Don't beat yourself up. You did great over the holidays. It was so hard at my house with all of the breads and cookies around but I only let myself have a few M&Ms. My family watches me like a hawk with my eating!

Oh you need to quick beating yourself up over the small things! It's your life and you've only got one to live. You've already made the right decision to have this surgery. It's the holidays and eating foods you don't normally eat is exactly what you should be doing, mild preportions like you did. It takes a lot of strength to get through the holidays and I praise you for it. This is all about a change in your lifestyle. You don't have to give up everything. All you've got to do is take it slowly and watch everything that goes in your mouth. You did wonderful and think of this as the small tiny steps which will lead you to the big ones.

I agree with your way of thinking. This is not a diet, it is a way of life. What's funny to me is to watch everyone else and I am soo glad I cannot eat like that anymore. Most people are miserable after stuffing themselves, but we're not! I love my band!

Agree with the others. Empower yourself by forgiving yourself and move on! YOU kept to small portions! YOU did not go back for seconds! YOU are ready to get back on your weight loss life plan! Kudos to you!

I think you should look yourself in the mirror and congratulate yourself on how far you have come! Great job!