Merry Christmas to Me!

A year makes a difference! Last year, I stood next to Santa, but this year I sat comfortably on his lap. Ho, ho, ho!

Tuesday is my official weigh-in day, but yesterday I came up with my theme for this week’s blog, “Gaining Weight and More…”. Turns out I have to change my theme since I didn’t gain weight this week! I lost 1.5 pounds this week for a total of 82.5 pounds in 29 weeks. A Merry Christmas to me indeed!

I was sure I had gained weight since I admit that I am eating more daily than I have since my gastric sleeve surgery.  I thought there was no way I could not have gained weight. Losing weight this week made me realize that I truly have changed my eating habits. Every year I gain at least 5 pounds during the holiday season. With so many food temptations and with the craziness of shopping, parties and tons of kid activities, in the past I have let my guard down and would eat with pure abandon. The holidays are no less hectic or frantic this year, but obviously my eating is not the same!

Physically I cannot eat as much since my stomach is much smaller, but I realize that I am making better choices when it comes to eating. Protein is my priority with some vegetables and fruit thrown in for good measure. I haven’t given up on holiday sweets completely. One sugar cookie is satisfying this year instead of the two or three I would have eaten last year. I can still enjoy a glass of wine at a party, not two or three. I have not gained weight this year, but I have gained the knowledge that less is more when it comes to treats. I need to remember this for the year and not just the holidays, though!

Instead of gaining weight this holiday season, I also gained more insights into the healthy life I am now living. Shopping for clothes is fun, not torture. It is overwhelming now that I have more clothing choices, but it has been over 20 years since I tried on clothes and said “Oh, this size XL is too large.” I’ve gone from a size 22 to size 12 in pants and a size 3X to size Large in shirts. And since I still want to lose another 29.5 pounds, who knows what size I will be in the future!

I’ve also gained a sense of normalcy when it comes to physical activities. I don’t feel like I am the odd one out when I run. While I am pretty slow still, I don’t feel like I’m the “fat chick” trying to exercise. I now feel like just another person in the park who enjoys running. And this weekend, we took a tour of a submarine and I didn’t panic during our tour and going through the small openings. I would have finished the tour in the past, but I would have been humiliated and stressed the whole time. With my healthier body, I was able to go through the submarine and enjoy the tour with my family. Everything from special activities to just walking around the city is much easier.

Now, of course the holidays are still going on and there is a chance of gaining weight. Hopefully, this week’s weight loss and my acknowledgment of the positive changes in my life will keep the pounds off. But I’m not too worried. I am enjoying the holidays, time with my family and friends and most importantly, my new healthy body and mind. I can’t think of a better Christmas present I have ever received! Merry Christmas!