I have a short list in my head of the few things that I had to give up to become a healthier me with the band.
But do you know what? Most of the things don't really matter much to me anymore and more importantly it was TOTALLY worth it.
Some examples?
- Soda: It took me a long time to get over my addiction to Mt Dew and Coke.
- Chewing gum: who doesn't like minty fresh breath? Seriously.
One of the toughest things to give up is one of my favorite holiday traditions: Making a gingerbread house. And I'm not talking about just any gingerbread house, I'm talking about a house that takes 2 months of weekends to put together with electric lights and weighs 30 lbs. Yeah, I'm a crafty girl.
Did you know that most gingerbread house builders start in August with their planning, scheming, and building? Yep, I received an email from these people today reminding me to sign up for the local gingerbread house competition. It seems that this year's theme is movies and the silver screen.
I participated in 2007 and 2008. I had an amazing time building the houses and displaying them at the competitions.
Unfortunately, I know that I cannot participate again this year as I definitely cannot be around all that candy for two months. I will eat it. I know my limits.
I still go to see the houses on display each holiday season which is fun, but it's just not the same as participating.
Here are photos from 2008:
Roof and sides!
Roof complete!
Frosting!
Who is that?
Construction!
Finished!
What's wrong with sugar-free chewing gum? :)
ReplyDeleteUnbelievable! You are one talented chica. :)
ReplyDeleteI take it your issue with gum is accidently swallowing it?
what a beautiful house! I'm creative but not talented. LOL Took me 33 years to figure that out. I can think up cool stuff, but I suck at the execution!
ReplyDeleteMy surgeon recommends no gum due to the accidental swallowing and it might get stuck.
ReplyDeleteHoly cow! That house is totally cool. Any chance that you'd consider building a non-food one? Maybe use your craftiness to figure out how to make it look like candy but with non-edible parts? Then it would be reusable too, and you can keep them from year to year. (And I'm addicted to Eclipse sugar free powerful mints - better than gum and very minty fresh.)
ReplyDeleteexcellent real estate you've got there !
ReplyDeleteLove it, I want to build one for my daughters birthday but I am like Amy and not very good at the execution of things.
ReplyDeleteGreat looking house! I gave up diet soda too. I don't really miss it.
ReplyDeleteYou are very talented indeed. I understand not being around that kind of trigger though. It is easier to remove those from out lives, than to try to have the will power I believe.
ReplyDeleteI too was addicted to Mt. Dew and Pepsi. I thought I would never be able to give it up. It was much easier than I ever imagined. I wanted to see if it worked so 15 months after my banding I tried a sip of coke and nearly barfed I hate the taste of soda now. Imagine that. Purge your system of crap and Walla!! LOL
As for the gum, my surgeon also says no gum due to the chance for it lodging in the Stoma and blocking and having to be removed by endoscopy. However, I am only so strong, I do chew sugar free gum, and I have never ever swallowed it and it has been four years. Is it a risk you ask yes certainly it is. But I could just not give that one up completely. I only chew it at work however.
That house is great. I love Stepanie M.'s idea.
ReplyDeleteI love the house! Amazing. My doc never said anything about gum. I always chew gum, but I've never swallowed gum by accident in my life, so I'm not too worried!
ReplyDeletewow that is quite the gingerbread house!
ReplyDeleteYep, totally puts the pre-made box one I do with my daughter every year to shame!
ReplyDeleteAWESOME HOUSE! Hey look I can comment again! :) I've been trying for weeks! You certainly are crafty. Maybe a trip to Canada for some sugar free canning could fill the void? lol.
ReplyDeleteThanks, as always, for your support and inspiration!
WOW-that is nothing like the IKEA kit I get every year?!:)
ReplyDeleteMy surgeon had to do emergency surgery on a lady this past week. She was chewing gum, stumbled and swallowed it. It wouldn't come up or go down.
ReplyDeleteWow, girl, you got talent!!!!