Feeling a little Easter celebration depression
willowmarie12
Posts: 22 Member
My huge Catholic family has a large Easter celebration, & I am considering attending mass and going home. I have my "list" of food expectations that my famiky will bring, but I am not sure if I am ready to be around all of the food, smelling it and not even being able to have any of it. I am feeling depressed either way. Any suggestions?
0
Replies
-
I had surgery on March 10th and thus will be my first holiday.0
-
That's definitely a challenge and I feel for you. Do they all know you had the surgery? You may end up not craving the food as much. I would suggest eating something before you go. And just focus on enjoying your family and the celebration. Life is different now, but you can still have fun without all the food.
0 -
Everybody is different, I had RNYGB 3 weeks before Thanksgivng and rolled through the holidays just fine. It really didn't bother me to be around gatherings with food, I just went into it with the expectation that I wasn't going to eat, and certainly not snack, if it wasn't on my plan and pre-meditated. Sometimes the host asked what they could prepare for me. More often I ate before I went, or took my own food or a protein shake. Drink lot's of water and keep up with protein so you're satiated. That said, my NUT and Doctor encouraged me to have a bite of dark Turkey meat, and a bite of pumpkin pie, which I did (as part of my pre-meditated plan). I've never felt like was depriving myself.0
-
My 50th birthday was a month after my surgery. I didn't get to party like I normally would - booze, food, cake, the usual - but it didn't bother me one bit. I had 49 birthday cakes prior to my surgery and plenty of drinks and food. I wasn't missing out on anything. Thanksgiving was a few weeks later, and I just chose carefully - a small amount of turkey, and my friends even cooked some yams for me without any sugar. On both occasions, I was just happy to be around friends and family, and even now, that's my focus at gatherings. I don't let what's being served be a deterrent. I figure, I won't always be able to control my surroundings, but I can do what's within my power - make the right decisions for myself, and be prepared.0
-
My birthday was 4 days after my surgery. I was too miserable to miss my usual celebration (steak dinner, pecan pie, etc). There was no way I could have my usual treats, but I was still really blah about it.
I'm still struggling, when my housemates go out to eat, or cook something I can't have. But my situation is complicated by other things, so... milage varies.0 -
I had my surgery on 12/16 and had my first family Christmas party about 1 week out from surgery, it wasn't as bad as I thought it might be! I just brought a protein drink and a bottle of water with me
0 -
Thanks everyone, I have asked my brother to cook my delegation this year for the gathering, and he is very supportive. I like the advice provided. I am going to bring a shake and water with me and plan to stay for an hour. My oldest daughter is old enough to drive her siblings so they do not miss out. Thanks again! !0
-
You will enjoy being with your family and will make memories to enjoy, always. You will do fine!0
-
Sounds like you've got a great plan for the day. Go and enjoy!0
-
Reframe it for yourself: You get to celebrate Easter, not food, this year. You get to celebrate all that has been given to us as a human family. You get to celebrate the gift of life - and how appropriate that you should be so close out from your surgery. You have the opportunity to embrace the spring, the return of the sun, the rising of the Son, your family, your friends.. YOUR life. Be grateful. Be reflective. Celebrate.0
-
It is time for us to look to Easter, and all other holidays as something other than a food binge and an excuse to step away from healthy. Now is the time for us to see the non-food portions of each holiday and begin to appreciate them more. Time with family in activity rather than in eating is still possible. When the rest are feasting, you should still be able to dine, (only YOUR way!). And you will be able to serve them, refreshing drinks, clearing the plates away, entertaining the little ones while parents have a few minutes to themselves to enjoy grownup talk and finish their meals. Don't see only the negatives but find the fun in the holiday.
Someone above mentioned that they would attend the gathering for an hour and then go home. I thought "How sad" as I read it because it means you are cutting yourself off from the fellowship just in order to avoid the food frenzy. Think about everything else you will miss by doing this. Don't do that to yourself or you will go home to a one-man/woman pity party at your house once you get home. What will you do the NEXT holiday? Will you always hide away from things? My suggestion is to plan something active to do...walk around the block after your own meal and return to the gathering when the bulk of the eating is over. That way you are still a part of everything and no one has to feel guilty eating "that way" in front of you. Happy Holiday everyone.0
This discussion has been closed.