Need moral boosters!!!

I have been so stressed lately, my son's best friend passed away, bought a house, planning a wedding, my son was diagnosed bi-polar & was hospitalized for 9 days. I have been eating so much junk food--stress eating, cheese doodles & S.F. ice cream & S.F. candy. I am so paranoid about stretching my pouch, but when I am stressed I just do not htink about it. How do you know if you have stretched your pouch????

Delainya, Sending you some hugs, sounds like you need them. I hope things settle down soon for you and you can get back to a normal routine. It is normal this far out for the pouch to stretch. It is apparent in the quantity we now can eat. I belong to a board that has many members 7 years out. Most of them have stated that if they go back to the basics, do portion control, exercise etc. that their tummy gets back to smaller and the sugar dumping can resume. Get the junk out of your home. Pick healthier choices. Try lower glycemic foods too ... for example: if you absolutely have to have french fries get sweet potatoes french fries. If you have to have a sandwich pick whole grain bread not white. These foods will leave you full longer and much more satisfied. When we do chips (yes, I am guilty of this too) they crunch down so nice that we truly can eat more than we should. I can't do the SF things because of the sugar alcohols --- gosh they make me sick. Be careful with over doing them as they can cause major gas, bloating, and act like a laxative. Try working out your stress with exercise not food. Grab some music and head out for a walk. If you need something sweet, how about a cup of no sugar added cocoa ... yummmmm. I just found some Chocolate decaf tea at Trader Joes. Haven't tried it yet, but they claim it is wonderful and smells/tastes like chocolate. Wishing you the best. Remember we are here for you. Hugs, Mary

Delainya, I too am sending hugs your way. Sometimes, it seems like life just turns upside down on us and eating seems to make things go smoother. Mary gave you some wonderful food ideas! The only other thing I can think of is letting you know that I've been walking alot here lately and it seems to make me feel better, both physically and mentally. When I'm walking, I seem to be able to think things through and always feel better afterward. If you could maybe get 30 minutes in here and there, it might just help take a little of the stress off of you. I know it always helps me. A few weeks ago, I cut way back on my food intake for about 4 days. All I had was 5 meals (maybe 4 ounces at each meal) throughout the day that consisted only of protein. I lost 4 pounds and noticed my stomach couldn't hold as much anymore when I started adding some carbs back in. I still can't hold as much as before I started the diet. And sticking to it for 4 days wasn't so bad. I hope things turn around for you soon! Wanda

Delainya, Here's the link to the plateau buster I posted last week: http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/02-2004/postdetail/9114.html?vc=0 A number of people on another list have used it to get back on track and lose additional weight. Mary

Hi~ I agree with everyone that you should try to releive some stress by exercizing and music does help. I listen to my cd-player and try to distract myself and more protien and water but I love sugar free tea with sweet-n-low and I freeze it so it stays cold longer :smile: Also try taking a bubble bath and watch a good movie. Hope my suggestions help you some try it! Jill