Said no to attending a potluck today. Didn't feel the need to sit there and not eat high-carb crap and explain why I wasn't eating the mac and cheese, yanno? I did just fine with my salad and chicken breast!

Said no to gorging myself with pizza--which we ordered tonight for the first time in over a month. I ate one slice of thin crust and the cheese and tomatoes of three slices. This is quite a departure for me. I've been known to eat a whole large pizza in one sitting.

It's not just getting the band--it's a new way of eating that is both a challenge and a victory in the same package. I knew things would change for me, but today, they really did.

I am re-learning, re-thinking and evolving! :clap2:

Darr

I can definitely commiserate with you. That's the most difficult part of this whole thing. I still sometimes think to myself, "You're such a pig!" But at least I'm being a pig on much less food than I used to.

I thought I would feel deprived and sorry for myself at potlucks and buffets after surgery. But surprisingly enough, I don't. Instead I find myself feeling somehow a little bit 'smug' and maybe a little superior that they are eating like pigs and I am eating like a lady, a healthy lady at that, a lady in control of her urges and her life and her future. I know I shouldn't because I have a 'tool' that helps me, but it's probably the feeling that 'normal' people have when they eat out with those who overindulge in food.

I thought I would feel deprived and sorry for myself at potlucks and buffets after surgery. But surprisingly enough, I don't. Instead I find myself feeling somehow a little bit 'smug' and maybe a little superior that they are eating like pigs and I am eating like a lady, a healthy lady at that, a lady in control of her urges and her life and her future.

That's it! That's exactly it!

Darr

Oh, Darragha, the hardest thing I had to do while on the pre-op was go to an all-day party/barbeque for a good friend of mine. He was celebrating a huge accomplishment so I felt I couldn't miss it.

His wife makes incredible homemade barbeque, the table was groaning under the weight of many treats, and the patio was brimming with icy buckets full of beer and wine.

It was hard, hard, hard. I only managed to stay a couple hours. Good job on staying away from that potluck and outfoxing that pizza!

This is indeed a struggle and you should most definitely give yourself a huge pat on the back (or a massage, or pedicure or a new Coach bag!) for passing on that potluck dinner! Every positive adjustment we make is reinforcement for that behavior in the future...especially when coupled with a reward or expression of gratitude. Your brain starts to think, "Hey! I want more of this!!" and it begins to re-wire the neural pathways that control your responses to impulses. So, it sounds to me like you are well on your way ...just keep doing it until it becomes a habit! GOOD JOB!!

Isn't that something else? Congratulations for making choices that have you happy after the fact. Sure is better than beating yourself up for making bad choices.

Awesome job.