The MakeMeThinner Support Forum

[Gwenski]

Okay, what is going on with me? Did I peak too soon for the holidays or what?

I was tried and true on Turkey Day (despite making and NOT tasting 8 items for dinner). While I was prouder than proud of myself for sticking to my guns and NOT tempting fate, something felt so off -- was it the lack of shoveling every morsel into my mouth or what?

Did or has anyone experienced this? This may all be due to a too long visit from my Grandmother in which she wound up in hospital and needs more tests but I am not sure.

Just feel like I am going through the motions right about now and cannot figure out if it is the food, my granny or the dreaded and never experienced humbugs.

Christmas is my very most favorite time of the year and almost all my shopping is done but I feel like I am way behind on everything else and need some magic fairy dust or Christmas spirit.

Anyone else having this -- I don't want it to be about the food - tell me it isn't about the food???????????????????????

[Serendipity]

Gwenski, I could see blaming it on the food if you were non-compliant, but you are doing great! You definately have alot on your plate right now and if you think about it, it would be much worse if not for Medifast because you would be beating yourself up for eating too much along with everything else.

I can relate to the gramma thing. My MIL is 90 and in very poor health. I spend most evenings at the home helping her eat her dinner because she can't see anymore and though she could get help from the staff, she prefers me. I usually do it cheerfully, but at times, I get frustrated, angry, and generally just get an attitude about it.

Troubles and moods don't always relate to food. In fact, with MF, don't we find that food is not an issue at all?

Give yourself some slack. Turn on the Holiday music. Do something nice for yourself. You'll be back in the spirit soon.

[lauradr]

Gwensk, I love to cook to Christmas cookies and candy and every thing we dont needbut I i do miss that

[Lauren]

Hey, Gwenski-

You have a whole lifetime history of Christmas celebrations embedded in your heart and mind that include lots of good stuff, including food, food, food. It seems to me, that among the other big stressors (like your Grandma), the idea of food during the holidays, both preparation and sharing it with family, is the tradition, and what was normal.

So, I may sound shrink-y, but you have to creat new normals. You've lost a lot of weight and things are just going to be different. Life is going to be different. Normal is going to be different. Sometimes different is scary, sometimes it's depressing, sometimes stressful. I usually have a pretty silver lining type personality and would tell you to just jump in and embrace the stress. You said you feel overwhelmed, that there's so much to do? I say, take out a pen and paper and start making a list, write down everything there is you have to do (I suspect it's less than you think). I find having it on paper takes it off your shoulders and makes it more manageable. Then just tackle the items one at a time. The same way you tackle MF one day at a time. Just do it. Don't freak about it, fret about it, or worry about it, just spend a little time each day working down the list.

The good news? All that time you probably spent eating through the holidays can now be dedicated to your other necessary "to dos!"

And one last thing. There are many people all over the world who get into a funk this time of year. The weather changes, you're supposed to be joyous and then frustrated that you're not, whatever. Just cut yourself a break and relax. You are literally 31 days away from decompressing...

Ahhh...

Lauren

[mama2benandrachel]

Lauren, That was by far the BEST support you could give ALL of us!!!!!!! What wonderful, truthful, beautiful things you said! It TRULY hit home for me.

My parents have both passed, so have my husband's. Our kids don't have grandparents, and this time of year just seems to have such a big hole in it you know? My kids don't really know their Aunts and Uncles because there is a rift between some of them, and so we don't get together anymore period.

My Christmases were such WONDERFUL memories. I often feel depressed because I wonder, do my kids have such memories?

One of my Aunts lives at my Grandparents farm. She invites all 25 grandchildren (from my Grandparents) and our families to the farm the Sunday before Christmas. She has done this since my Granparents passed. This has been a tradition ALL of my life.

But it is such a melancholy time. That's what I HATE. This melancholic (is that a word?) dark, heavy feeling hanging over me until after New Years! I want it to be JOYFUL!!!!! For both me, my husband, and my children!

So many of my memories around the holidays are surrounded by food and making food. I was just talking to a lady at work today about all of the candies and cookies that my mom would make, and how I am trying to start those traditions with my kids.

BUT I CAN'T do it!!!!!! Not this year! Not and stay compliant!!!!!

You are right Lauren! WE HAVE to build new norms and traditions that aren't surrounded by food!!!!!!!!! Some always will be, and we have to get into our heads and figure out the triggers that have always been our downfall in the past!!!!!

[Jan]

Hmmm the Holidays,
Sometimes I think we let the Hollywood idea of the Holidays do us in. We romanticize the "way it's supposed to be"-- harmonious family, lovely gifts, beautiful decorations and lots of foody things. Nothing goes wrong --all is perfect. It even snows. Children behave perfectly, no one complains and certainly there are no disagreements. But then when we compare reality against the fantasy we get the blues. It is pretty much impossible for the real to equal the imagined. What to do??? It would be easy for me to tell you about the starving people in the world ( they're there) or those who have been displaced this year. We all know the stories. But, I guess the best thing to do is to try and have a real image of your Christmas--
whats real and what not -- the positives and the negatives. Make the most of it and enjoy-- the good and the bad -- and of course remember the reality of Christmas itself. The real reason we celebrate.
jan

[mama2benandrachel]

Thanks SOoooo much Jan! You are absolutely right about EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!! Jesus IS the reason for the season and this world has destroyed the True meaning with all of the commercialism!!!!!

[Gwenski]

WOW! All I can say is WOW and thank you so much for helping me to see the forest through all these candy cane trees!

Serendipity -- Grandma's are a true joy. The weird part is when they start to fail and it is SO frightening. Give your grams an extra big hug next time you see her. Hold on as long as you can. I will try to cut myself some slack -- I am not so good at that but am learning. I make Simon on American Idol look tame after I rip myself to shreds. My CD player is crooning carols, put lights in my cubicle and we are getting our work tree today and it will be right by my desk -- yahoO! A little at a time and it will snowball, it has too! You caught me as I fell, thank you.

Lauren -- If hitting the bullseye makes you Shrink-y --- bottle it! You are too too wise and I needed to hear what you said. My grans visit was so long & hard that I chucked my plans out and now need to re-group. Time to make new lists and check them more than twice. Just need to get up and do a little everyday so I can get caught up or at least tread water. Heck, at least I am now in the water -- yesterday, I was ready to waive the white flag. That was too much for my to handle. This getting used to the new me and my new life is taking some practice but it is so not as difficult as my life before MF. Thanks for being brainy.

Judy -- We WILL and CAN do this --- I believe!

Jan -- Trying to go with the flow and not be in control is rough. I am working on the part where the reality of the season is what makes it a remarkably WONDERFUL LIFE. Thanks for giving me a reality check.

You all beyond rock and I appreciate it SO much!!!