Oh yes, I agree completely. Bordem = Grazing!!! For me the key is to make sure there is no junk in the house to graze on. I will seldom take a desire for something to the extreme of going out and buying it.... but if it's already in the house, I'm all over it. Yesterday, knowing my dh was going to be gone again until Friday, I bought snack foods that are better choices, cheese, nuts, bananas, etc.... I stood there looking at all the chips (cuz dh asked me to get him some) I got his and debated at a "good" compromise, the "baked lays" and then told myself NOPE, I'm not gonna do it and walked out of that isle!!!! I don't attend support group meetings anymore. I was involved with one, but no one there was interested in LEARNING anything, the preop's only want to be told that this will be easy and they'll be successful; the post op's just wanted to sit around and complain about this and that. I found better use of my time!!!! I've found that this board has been an enormous help to me. Especially seeing what everyone is eatting each day. The exercise logs were good too, when I was exercising... hopefully soon I'll be back participating in that!! Keep up the great comments here - I love it!!!! Laurie

I'm in it for the long haul too! Anyway, my experience has been like everyone elses. I mainly graze from boredom. During the week, my days and evenings are highly structured, so while the urge is there I am better able to find other things to do. On weekends and days off, however, I REALLY struggle. I know I make good food choices overall, when I do graze, but still I'd rather not be grazing at all. I think my faith has helped tremendously. I believe that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength and sometimes, I will repeat that to myself and walk out of the kitchen. I also find that chewing gum and having diet drinks helps some. I am also going to start back to regular support group meetings. I am also contemplating joining Weigh****chers to get off the last of my weight. I think the weekly weigh-ins and meetings and the structured program will help keep me focused and grounded. The support here, especially the Maysters, is tremendous. Hugs, Tracy

Thanks Kathy! There is hope for me afterall!

am-20 0z water breakfast- slim fast lunch-unkown at this point.... dinner-slim fast snack- fudgesicle

Last night our support group had Dr. Harrington speak. One of the things he mentioned is that his patients are suffering from a food addiction which is harder to deal with than any other substance or behavior addiction...BECAUSE WE HAVE TO EAT. He noted that patients who attend support groups regularly and give and recieve support personally on their wls journey fare much better than those who isolate and try to do it alone. His practice is looking into having a psychologist on staff at his office. Also noted that some wls surgeons are doing likewise and even holding support/therapy groups w/ the psychologist to aid the post-ops in their battle with this ever present feind of food addiction. I think it is a wonderful thing for a surgeon to note and SAY that this is an addiction. For me the wls has provided a " TOOL ". However I still live in this altered body and struggle with medicating with food every single day ...always and amen. I wanted to throw this out as a topic of discussion and see: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. what your experience has been? 2. what you find helps stave off the grazing and at times " shovelling" behavior???? ( as Kathy wisely called it 8/16). 3. How can we support each other more effectively so we can benefit even more by the warm and affectionate Mayer's support group here ??? I have to go out for a while but will check in when I return. Let's talk it up, and find ways we can succeed at this venture, day by day for the rest of our lives. I'm in this for the long haul, How about YOU ???? Mary