Holiday Weight Gain - A gift you can certainly return

Guest Blog by: Dawn Hurlebaus

Last year in November I said to myself, “I am going to enjoy this holiday season and taste a few of the foods I normally stay away from.”  In 2 months I was up 20lbs and the weight slowly kept creeping up. It was by far one of the biggest mistakes I have made since having weight loss surgery, but one that taught me a valuable lesson.

This year I have asked Santa NOT to bring me this gift!  I would rather not spend the time in line trying to return it … if you know what I mean.  So what am I doing to equip myself this holiday?

I am choosing to move.

One of the best ways to maintain your current weight through the holidays is to exercise! Take a walk around the block with your family and look at decorations. I am trying to walk our dog more rather than ask my kids. My focus is to just keep moving.

I am choosing to make healthy food choices.

Consult with your dietitian about the right choices for your body.  I speak to mine quite often. I love that I have been able to take some of my favorite family dishes (traditional meals and desserts for the holidays) and recreate healthier versions of them. 

I remember my grandmother always picking fresh berries and putting them in sweet evaporated milk and serving as a dessert. Now, I take the same berries but put them in a little vanilla protein shake.  I serve and eat it the same way … in a bowl with a spoon.

I am ready!

Prepare yourself for social gatherings, family dinners, and festive holiday parties.  

• Eat a healthy meal before going to holiday parties. If you’re not hungry, you’ll indulge in fewer unhealthy foods.

• Focus on enjoying the company rather than on the food. Engaging in conversation will allow you to forget (momentarily!) about the food buffet.

• Bring a dish. Volunteer to bring a few of your “bariatric friendly” dishes. You might surprise yourself and others. I can tell you I started doing this and now some of my healthy dishes have become the new family favorites.

• Use smaller plates. Don’t use big plates this year.  Get smaller ones. We have a terrific resource in our community too that has beautiful tableware … Check out Livliga!

Create your own gathering

I am super excited this year to be spending time with people I care about.  We are gathering for an evening social and each of us are bringing a healthy dish along with the recipe.  When everyone leaves, not only will they have sampled tasty foods, but they will have a handful of new recipes to take home and make themselves.

Bariatric patients are recommended to check out Gastric Bypass Revision.

Did you find our article interesting? Now you can check non-surgical bariatric weight loss tips. 

Peace and Blessings,
Dawn

If you are interested in being a guest blogger, please contact Zach@bariatricfusion.com