What the heck is wrong with me?!

I'm having serious issues today. First the anger with the world bit, and now I'm having to seriously fight off the urge to binge. Not that I could, of course...but I could snack, which is a no-no with my surgeon. If my friend hadn't coincidentally called this evening (thanks, Tosha), I would've munched on an extra protein bar, purely out of boredom and craving. Now, I know that as binging goes, a protein bar is a decent choice, but it's cheating nonetheless. I already consciously cheat every day by overindulging on SF popsicles (I won't admit how many). I have done so well thus far, that it shocks and scares me that these cravings and feelings are starting already. What the ?????? I really appreciate you guys letting me vent here. It's nice to chat with others who understand, so I don't feel like I'm alone on this journey. In fact, my butt WILL be sitting in a support group meeting this week. I need all the help I can get! Julie

Believe me, I know how you feel. I have similar feelings at times. Its not that often (thankfully), but when it hits, ugh... Sometimes, what's worked for me is to remember the loss of weight I've experience and ask myself, "do I want those xxx lbs. back, or do I want to continue?" and I've found strength to reject the snacks. But just a couple of days ago, I bought a can of FF Pringles chips. Not the worst thing in the world, but still, it was that "mindset" that bothered me.

You are SO not alone!! The second that anything goes wrong in my life, the first thing I think about is food. I can't have certain things in my house anymore, because they are triggers for me. I can eat an entire box of sugar-free pudding in a day. Crackers and fat-free cream cheese? They'll call my name from 2 rooms over. I guess I never realized hot emotionally connected I was to food. It's a good thing that we have each other. It makes me feel better to know that I'm not alone. Best, Dina

Food has been our comfort for so long. Old habits die hard and we just have to fight the urge to binge or take comfort in food when things upset us now. Not always easy to do!

Amen!!

Julie - what is wrong with you is you're a food addict. Just like all of us - otherwise, how would we have gotten so overweight that we qualified for this surgery??? I get days where every food in my house is calling me. But I just keep thinking, "WHY do I want to eat??" That is the $64,000 question. If it is honest, true hunger, then eat something. When I feel the urge to eat, I ask #1, how long has it been since I ate? #2, Why am I wanting to eat? (aka listen to the pouch) #3, Drink water for at least 30 minutes - if the 'hunger' is still there, chances are I really am hungry. Then #4, if I do need to eat something, make it a good choice. My doc says when you sit down to eat, ask yourself 3 questions, #1, am I eating the right thing, #2, am I taking small enough bites, and #3, am I eating slow enough? So, yes - when I eat something, many many questions go through my head. I didn't go through all of this for nuthin'!! Sounds like you could be PMSing, too. My 3rd and 4th day of my cycle, I've noticed that I feel I could eat a horse. But, after just nibbling on his hoof for a while, I realize I'm full and quit. Michelle

Hey, Michelle! Your picture is much clearer at work, so it must be my computer that is extra sensitive. Thanks for your wonderful response (and everyone else too). I definitely AM a food addict. I love your advice, and I'll try to drink water for 30 minutes before I eat and see if I'm still hungry. I like your doctor's advice too. It's just so easy to be tempted. I do hear things "calling me" from the kitchen. Thanks again, everyone, for your wonderful empathy and advice. I love this gang!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Julie

I wonder if I will ever be healthy and normal again! EVER! I hear ya on everything you have posted and I totally relate to every response on here! I miss food terribly. Knowing that I physically cannot have the amount that I used to has helped me get to where I am at now.......its more of an emotional journey than a physical one.....for me anyhow. Hang in there girl! Carrie

Julie, I've experienced this as well. If we can adopt some healthy coping mechanisms now for this, while we don't have the hunger, it should help us in 18 months or so, when the hunger comes back with a vengeance. I'm on another support board here at obesityhelp.com called BMI over 50. Some of those folks have lost most if not all their weight, but, are really struggling now that their hunger has returned. This is my biggest fear! Lori 384/323.5/170

ACK! I'm on that board too. I'm sure I'll be reading those messages shortly, and it's gonna scare the heck outta me. I've been working so hard at finding and working at other interests. I've made some real progress, and I enjoy what I'm doing. Nothing seems to trump food, though, so I have to make a real effort to work on that self-talk and get this under control. Thanks again! Julie