my question is...how do you control what you eat when you eat with your family (who is not taking alli) and my boyfriend's family (who is island and cooks with A LOT of oil and fatty meats)?? How do I still enjoy the holidays with out being rude and not eating?

 hi "ericav2323",

it's tough, isn't it? trying to please everyone? well, you can't.

i would eat healthy before leaving the house. that way, you're not arriving at the festivities starving. then, you can have just a "sample" of your favorites. including dessert, if you wish. load up on vege's and avoid the fatty meats. 

not eating is not "rude". it's taking care and prioritizing yourself. if your family or your boyfriends family are offended if you don't eat, then, again, sampling your favorites (without going overboard) should be a way to satisfy them and not sabotage your weight loss efforts.

regardless, enjoy yourself. enjoy your friends and family.

alicia

 thanks for the support..sorry i did not get back as soon as your wrote me a reply...i am still new to the whole msg board thing. thanksgiving was not as hard as i thought..i didnt lose any weight that week, but i also did not gain any.

so any advice for the christmas holidays? i am going home to my family's and my downfall is always the sweets...i am determined not to gain any weight, maybe even lose some...

hows things going for you?

 hi erica,

it's okay about not replying sooner. this time of year is crazy for everyone. myself included. i'm glad to hear your Thanksgiving was

not has hard as you anticipated it to be. and "props" on not gaining. this time of year, that is cause for a HUGE celebration.

things are going alright. i'm not where i wanna be but i'm not where i used to be. make sense? i'm not really "dieting" right now. and, i'm not taking my alli. my plan is to get back on track after the New Year. right now, my schedule is too difficult and, to be quite honest, there are too many temptations. my goal is to not gain through the holiday's. i will feel like i'm successful if i can do that.

i'm not concentrating on losing at this point. (typing that makes me feel like a little bit of a failure.)

i've been doing this a long time. and it seems i always have on my mind what is a good choice and what isn't. so, i guess i'm relying on more of my "lifestyle" change right now, instead of a "diet". you know, not deprivation for allowing "bad" choices infrequently and in moderation.

i sure could use a friend. though. someone to stay in touch with. this message board is so big and everybody is always moving around. seems that when i connect with someone, they're gone. regardless, enjoy this season. (for me it's Christmas) there is always so much to be thankful for.

alicia

 Im sitting here reading these message boards and i do feel as if i am interupting or eavesdropping on your emails....but you are the first up to date comments i have seen so far----most are dated early 07 or mid 08---i kind of wanted to hear some current things... i just started alli and i am REALLY frusterated.....i knew this was gonna be hard but reading your messages back and forth i am realizing it is not only me......this computer and these messages really keep me out of the kitchen ( sob,sob,sob). i am a very social person and i have no friends doing this with me so i get my "fix" here on the message boards....remember i am a rookie and i am very commited.....but am open to any advice  :)   thanks again