Thank Goodness Spring Break is over!!!

[Shirl]

Holidays can be so detrimental to our WLS journey if caught unprepared!

It started with a 5-day weekend back in the loving arms of my partner, a short visit with his daughter (a foodie athlete lol!), then back to spend a glorious week with my granddaughters who were on spring break! We visited museums and botanical gardens, played with water guns in the backyard, took to my gym appointments and cooked or baked whatever their imagination could conjure! It was glorious

Drove them home to San Diego yesterday and topped it off with an outting to a Pacific Islander Festival! There was food everywhere! I enjoyed some Korean Bbq ribs!

This morning, my daughter wanted everyone to go to the beach for one final bash atarting with breakfast at a gut busting brunch! I just couldn't! I woke up early and had had my oatmeal and coffee. It's bad enough I'm bringing back Coop's bbq (if you are ever in Lemon Grove, CA and you know and miss good ol' Texan bbq this is a must lol!) to my son and wife for dinner tonight. I love their Smoked Southwestern Jerk Chicken!

But enough was enough!

I had to say I love you! But momma gots to get back to her routine!

Here is hoping for cleaner food weeks ahead until my birthday, my mom's birthday, my son's birthday and Mother's Day next week!

Give me strength Lord!

[sraebaer]

That's how I felt when we had our three grow children and their families, along with my mom, stretched over almost 2 weeks at Christmas. I feel your pain! We were baking and eating continually. Cookies for the kids, grandma's special chocolate cake for everyone, and my pregnant daughter wanting fudge. I don't think I've baked anything since then.

[Ann2]

Shirl, I feel your pain!

Here's something I realized several years ago ....

When we look at the calendar there's at least one serious food-centered holiday every month. If you participate in those (either as visitors or hosts) over long weekends where food is a centerpoint of the celebration, that's one heckuva lotta non-WLS-compatible eating, whether you're trying to lose or maintain.

Below are some common holidays observed in the U.S., not counting Jewish, Muslim, and other religious holidays:

January - New Year's Eve and Day
February (most years) - Valentine's Day, Super Bowl weekend, Mardis Gras
March - St. Patrick's Day, March Madness events
April (most years) - Easter
May - Cinco de Mayo, Mother's Day, Memorial Weekend
June - Father's Day
July - Independence Day
August - One Big Long Month at the Beach
September - Labor Day
October - Halloween
November - Thanksgiving
December - Christmas

Every one of these events encourages, if not requires, eating BBQ, dressing and gravy, cake, pie, fried foods, chips and dips, and being grossly overserved with alcohol.

If you went "hog wild" on every one of these (mostly) three-day weekend holidays plus your annual vacations, birthdays (your own and family members'), trips home to visit Grandma, high school and family reunions, and the usual number of funerals and wakes, you'd be pigging out 60 days a year.

Obviously, that's not sustainable as a successful WLS patient. So get ready to find different ways to celebrate national holidays and family gatherings. Otherwise ....

[Shirl]

Thanks ladies!

So my mom shows up this afternoon with an "early birthday" surprise! My fav Asian bakery cake!!! I decided not to yell at her.

Seriously! Ann, I love that you have written out the Holidays!!! When it's put in perspective it just sooo unbelievable outrageous! and to top it off we (meaning Immigrants in the USA) have to celebrate two Mother's Day! May 10th has been an international recognized Holiday in most countries, and trust you me my mom expects recognition in both when they don't fall on same day which almost always! And we actually get to celebrate your Santo (baptism) and your born day! And these are only a few more that I can think of right now lol!

Actually I'm glad I have added a few nonfood related activitiesfor several years I have celebrated my birthday and Mother's Day by asking my kids to join me on day hikes... (well okay before the food eating activities start) it is still followed by eating out ...

For Thanksgiving we have gone to a football game after eating (except last year it was moved to Friday). We still pack leftovers to eat there lol

S.

[ghost_ryder]

Sounds like you refueled for the end run to your one-year anniversary. Spending time with family can be great and refuels the soul.

[Shirl]

Sounds like you refueled for the end run to your one-year anniversary. Spending time with family can be great and refuels the soul.

I always love the time I get to spend with my loved ones! No question!

I don't know about your family experiences, but mine almost 50% of the time come with some sort drama, it's misfortune and I wish it would not be that way. Yesterday, in fact, ended with my son being displeased and disappointed and upset with me because I refuse to talk to my brother when he calls my mom collect from jail. So yes and no, love my family but they can be a drain and were often the cause of my over eating.

[sraebaer]

When I visit my mom she cooks me 6 course meals. I almost die. She knows I had the surgery. She knows at home I eat a protein and veggie. But when a 90 year old woman makes you this meal, you try to eat it.

I think when I visit on Mother's Day I will remind her again about my diet. But It's hard because I know she is trying to be nice and show her love through her wonderful cooking. But do I really need meat, potatoes, veggies, salad, fruit, rolls and dessert? She makes delicious homemade soups, but doesn't think that qualifies as a dinner.

[Christie13]

Been there, done that. Just had a lovely get together with 3 HS friends on Sunday (who came into town) and tonight I got an email from another saying he wants to meet up on Friday with his family when they are in town. Naturally for dinner and drinks. None of these people know I had the surgery so I try not to bring attention to what I eat or don't eat. Luckily my hubby is not a big eater so we both take home leftovers.

[ghost_ryder]

My family is all drama so I get the issues. As the passive person in the family I seem to get both sides of all disagreements because everyone feels like I can fix their problem. I guess I listen good. My wife stopped talking to her brother a few years ago due to drinking and having an affair on his wife. He left is kids behind. Not obviously as serious as a jail term but he turned his life around they are talking again. I hope your brother can realize the same turn around, for you and your family.

Shirl, you are clearly a strong person. You will work your way through this and to the other side.