Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

It's almost as if we've come to accept that we're going to put on weight during the holiday season. It's commonly reported by the media that 5 pounds of body weight is gained during the holidays. In actuality, normal-weight people typically gain about one pound over the holiday season...which means (at least to me) that I will gain 10 pounds...if I don't remind myself to eat MINDFULLY!

So, this is my public personal promise, that I will be mindful of what I eat and make a strong effort to stay on track. I want to encourage you to do the same. The fact that you would even make an attempt to think and choose a healthier option, puts you on the right track.

What are your tips and tricks to avoid over doing it during the holidays?

Have a safe and healthy holiday!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm going to let my sleeve guide my intake. I know I am a newly sleeved person navigating virgin territory but at the moment I really don't feel panic-y over food sitting in front of me.

And since I am the hostess most of the season I really don't have time to graze on the actual holiday food. As the preparer of pies, bread, toffee, Cookies, and the meals I get tired of looking at it, handling it, etc. And then cleaning it up too. By the time turkey is on the table, I really want a nap.

The cookies (8 kinds), toffee, fudge goes to family and friends. When I had a career I would spend 3 days making it all and taking it in to share at work - I made a ton of it it seems and then a ton more for the family. (So only 1 ton this year), but I am paring it down to 4 kinds of cookies, white chocolate pretzels and no fudge - I threw 75% of the fudge away last year because they prefered the toffee.

I am probably a little more concerned with the 9 day cruise in February when I will be 4 months out, and not preparing my own food. But I will battle that later.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I already told my dad and step-mom that I'll be bringing my food scale with me to measure out the turkey meat that I will eat, as well as the steamed sweet potato that she is leaving on the side sans butter and brown sugar lol. They're all super supportive, so holidays should be fairly easy :knock on wood: I don't really crave much, except nachos lol strange but true. I'm still only a few weeks out from surgery, so nachos will just have to wait :lol:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm on a liquid pre-surg diet. No temptation...cause nothing is allowed. Cravings and holiday food-grief will be on the menu...but no Turkey. I'm gonna sit at the table and cry in my Protein Drink and broth a little...and then be really thankful that I have good insurance and a good medical team that I trust. I know a lot of people don't....so I'm gonna try to buck up and count my blessings.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I can eat so little, I don't worry about what I'm gonna have for Thanksgiving. Whatever I can actually eat will not matter. Not for one meal for one day.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I run the turkey day 5K each year since surgery. It's my new Thanksgiving tradition. The holiday is not all about the food anymore. It's family and friends, being thankful, living life and having new experiences.

Not having a food coma every year is an amazing feeling. No weight gain guilt.;)

Food plan: turkey, steamed french green Beans with bacon and sliced almonds, roasted pumpkin, cranberries and apple. Desert is dannon light n fit pumpkin pie yogurt with 2 oz vanilla halo top ice cream.

I plan ahead at potlucks. I bring deviled eggs or a meat and cheese plate. I make sure there is something I can eat.

I pack my meals for work with healthy sweet and salty options.

priest.jpg

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, jenn1 said:

I run the turkey day 5K each year since surgery. It's my new Thanksgiving tradition. The holiday is not all about the food anymore. It's family and friends, being thankful, living life and having new experiences.

Not having a food coma every year is an amazing feeling. No weight gain guilt.;)

Food plan: turkey, steamed french green Beans with bacon and sliced almonds, roasted pumpkin, cranberries and apple. Desert is dannon light n fit pumpkin pie yogurt with 2 oz vanilla halo top ice cream.

I plan ahead at potlucks. I bring deviled eggs or a meat and cheese plate. I make sure there is something I can eat.

I pack my meals for work with healthy sweet and salty options.

priest.jpg

Very inspiring post. Thank you.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×