We all know from here on out the holidays are fast approaching starting with the evil candy day of Halloween but I want to reflect what I have learned about the holidays. It's not about food anymore but spending quality time with the ones you love and cherish forever in your heart. It's about loving yourself and loving others and respecting your body now that you have a band or are getting banded. It's not a time to feel down because you're not eating a whole turkey dinner by your self and hoarding left over pie so no one else will get some. It's about not regaining what you have worked so hard to lose. It's not impossible to get through without gaining but losing. It's time to rethink your strategies of how you will cope now until the first of the year with your band. Don't let old habits come in to your mind. There will be a lot of temptation at work, home, friends homes, but saying no is not punishable by law. Saying no will not hurt you. Saying no will help you. Learning that the word no thank you can be the best words you will ever say in your life. To all of us having the will to survive and living through the holidays with the best attitudes that I will not let food defeat me this year or ever again. You can enjoy the holidays without dwelling on food.

I've learned these past few years after I made a drastic change to the way I ate that with people like my mother and a few friends I have to get really forceful/stern with my no's because they would always say "awe come on it won't hurt you" or "this is so good try just a little bit" and "I made extra and needs to be eaten". Even though I already told them I wasn't going to eat or I didn't eat "that" any more. Nowadays i wont even have dinner at my parents house because my mom cooks so unhealthy and I try to have holiday dinners at my house and I tell them this is what I'm cooking if you want something else bring it yourself. It works good for me because I won't eat anyone else's cooking but my own

I did give in to candy corn earlier and now I feel really yucky. Nauseous and shaky so I'm done with the candy. I'm pretty disappointed in myself for even eating it.

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Well don't be hard on yourself. That's what happens when you don't eat that stuff anymore. It really makes you think how crappy you felt when you were eating it all the time at least I know I did.

Jesus is the reason for the Season! And what you said, all very true and worth posting. Holidays are HARD on folk! If they allow it. My wish for ALL on this forum this Holiday Season is that they be kind to themselves. Moderation is everything. Presents are just stuff, so if ya dont get one, its less to clean, and please be kind to others. Take time to visit a homeless shelter, with out empty hands. Adopt a family in need. Happy Holidays to one and all, from Me and My Family to you. Thanks Cheryl, again Great Post!!! Woo Hoo!! Sincerely, Sandy

We all know from here on out the holidays are fast approaching starting with the evil candy day of Halloween but I want to reflect what I have learned about the holidays. It's not about food anymore but spending quality time with the ones you love and cherish forever in your heart. It's about loving yourself and loving others and respecting your body now that you have a band or are getting banded. It's not a time to feel down because you're not eating a whole turkey dinner by your self and hoarding left over pie so no one else will get some. It's about not regaining what you have worked so hard to lose. It's not impossible to get through without gaining but losing. It's time to rethink your strategies of how you will cope now until the first of the year with your band. Don't let old habits come in to your mind. There will be a lot of temptation at work, home, friends homes, but saying no is not punishable by law. Saying no will not hurt you. Saying no will help you. Learning that the word no thank you can be the best words you will ever say in your life. To all of us having the will to survive and living through the holidays with the best attitudes that I will not let food defeat me this year or ever again. You can enjoy the holidays without dwelling on food.

cheryl what a wonderful and thoughtful thread

thank you for taking time out to write this.

i agree, the holidays are meant to be with family

but def not an excuse to have a free for all with food

but some will say the food is there so i will eat it.

one can make up their mind to eat or not eat something

for example, today at work we had a huge potluck...

we are talking Desserts, fried this and fried that and just imagine thanksgiving and xmas

but its up to us, to eat healthy and if you do indulge, do it smartly

i dont buy the posts that are missing foods and eating

what they are missing is the feeling it gives them..a quick rush

if you think i need to eat for my body and not just eat because its there, things

would go better. but its a mental game, and you losing over 100+, keep these

positive and informative posts coming.