Food is everything, everywhere, imbedded in every aspect of our lives. Today, like many many days, my boss came up to me and asked "would you like ice cream from Mc Donalds?" and naturally it is for a "reward" of sorts for good performance for the day. I looked at him and said "you know my answer" in a playful way. It's crazy how food is our natural go-to for reward. I yelled out of my office to my friend across the way, "I am one STRONG lady!" because it's true. These last 5 months, I have withstood so many potlucks, ice cream socials, food truck days, donut or bagel breakfast, boxes of dilly bars, I COULD GO ON AND ON!

A part of me feels defeated, the reason why? Why couldn't I lose the weight differently and still be able to partake in some of these things in moderation? I know the answer why.... I would never have done it. I need the dumping syndrome to prevent me from partaking. This surgery FORCED my hand.

The other part of me feels accomplished, strong, and amazing. I have powered through every hard moment, Candy on Valentines day, birthday party cupcakes, s'mores at cook outs, frozen margaritas at the health club pool, bread at the restaurant, baked goods at Easter, ice cream on a hot summer day,....... I have said NO to everything. I have been strong and it has paid off.

Love this post Ash!

I agree, food is everywhere. Food and alcohol is embedded in my work life, they are embedded in my personal life.

Go out on a date, let's meet for a drink. My mom meets me for lunch on weeks I'm not traveling. Extended family BBQ for birthdays and holidays. Out to dinner with friends. Vacations focus on delicious and unique local foods. With work going out for a meal and drinks is invaluable for building relationships that can't happen across a conference table or the phone.

I have a love hate relationship with my restriction. I love that I am satisfied with a couple of ounces of food. It is still crazy to me. But that is such a small amount of food it is absolutely noticed by dining companions and wait staff. I hate the attention it draws.

I absolutely feel strong every time I ignore the bread basket. Each time I order the chicken vs. the pasta dish. I honestly never thought I was capable of making good choices over an extended amount of time.

I do really miss social drinking though. It is a big part of my work life. I feel very self conscience and awakward drinking my water while everyone else is having drinks.

20 minutes ago, sillykitty said:

Love this post Ash!

I agree, food is everywhere. Food and alcohol is embedded in my work life, they are embedded in my personal life.

Go out on a date, let's meet for a drink. My mom meets me for lunch on weeks I'm not traveling. Extended family BBQ for birthdays and holidays. Out to dinner with friends. Vacations focus on delicious and unique local foods. With work going out for a meal and drinks is invaluable for building relationships that can't happen across a conference table or the phone.

I have a love hate relationship with my restriction. I love that I am satisfied with a couple of ounces of food. It is still crazy to me. But that is such a small amount of food it is absolutely noticed by dining companions and wait staff. I hate the attention it draws.

I absolutely feel strong every time I ignore the bread basket. Each time I order the chicken vs. the Pasta dish. I honestly never thought I was capable of making good choices over an extended amount of time.

I do really miss social drinking though. It is a big part of my work life. I feel very self conscience and awakward drinking my Water while everyone else is having drinks.

It is nuts how everything revolves around food, especially social gatherings.

Do you feel self conscience about drinking because people know that you aren't? Or because you aren't on their level?

4 minutes ago, AshAsh1 said:

Do you feel self conscience about drinking because people know that you aren't? Or because you aren't on their level?

Both!

Work related drinking, it's because it stands out that I'm not participating. As the wine is passed around the table, or as we are sitting in the lounge area of a bar and the waiter comes around. Just ordering water is both unusual for me and unusual in my company/industry. I'm much more comfortable fitting in than drawing attention to myself, especially in this way.

With friends. I miss a nice glass of wine with a good meal. I also miss the feeling of relaxation and looseness a little buzz gives you. Things are a little funnier, stories are a little more engaging. I just feel a little "flat" when I'm stone cold sober in a group that's had a few drinks.

So much truth here.
Work outing... we go to a restaurant
‎Saint Joseph's Day... Zeppole
Easter... just all bad junk
Valentines Day... more bad junk
Halloween... more bad junk
Thanksgiving... at least doable, then all those damn desserts
Birthdays... cake
Christmas... the same as Thanksgiving, except all the extra junk flying around as little gifts or stocking stuffers

Like.. what happened that EVERYTHING focuses on junk foods.