On the road to trouble...

Now let me start out by saying that my weight loss is good right now, I'm lifting weights twice a week and living a much more active life. All that being said... I am using food as a comfort even tho it is not comforting like it used to be before surgery. I think I've fallen into a funk and am trying to eat out of it. I'm also home alone with a preschooler and, when he's not in school, a 7 yr old. Tho they are a joy to me it is stressful. Like many of us I have self esteem issues and there is a lot of family "stuff" from growing up that I'm sure affects my behavior today. So you can see it's not so simple. Have any of you had this kind of food addiction and how are you doing now? What tools (besides the surgery) do you use to get you through the day, hour or even minute? Any suggestions at all? I am seeing a counselor and taking meds for depression. I would really love to hear of anything that has helped you. Thanks in advance, Sue

Hi Sue, I can really relate to exactly what you are going through. What has helped me is 1. counselling, 2. making healthier food choices when I do emotionally eat & being vVERY aware of how unhealthy (sugar & high fat) foods make me feel. I can feel REALLY good & then I eat say... some potatoe chips or something with sugar & it makes me feel HORRIBLE !! I don't want to feel horrible anymore, so I really think it through before I put something in my mouth (usually) I'm geting better anyways. 3. I stop the "silly justification" talk in my head, like.... oh it's only 1/2 a small bag if chips etc... I can't kid myself anymore & when I don't eat crap, I don't feel like crap. If I allow myself to make good healthy choices & really FEEL the results, I can't stand overeating or eating unhealthy, it just feels too bad! (it also makes me feel emotionally well, cause I am proud of myself & my physical well being improves my mental health) I am no longer on my antidepressants. I had to do alot of positive affirmations & still do, so I can start to love myself & know thst I deserve to feel goo ALL the time!! I don't know if any of this will help, but I think that you are aware of what you are doing & that is an awesome first step in the healing direction!! Take care Hugs, Heather lap RNY July 25/06 255/172

Hi Heather, Thanks for your response! Since the surgery I do have that "I feel physically what I ate" connection. I've not experienced that before and you're right it does feel bad on many levels when I've not made good food choices. The positive affirmations... I'm just starting to do something like that but it's called "fake it until you make it". I haven't reached that self love place yet but I am starting to fake it a little!! Your comments definitely help. I think the shared experience or commonality of experiences helps with the lonely aspect of obesity, binge eating, where ever you linger in an unhealthy way. Sometimes a leg up is all you need to climb out of the bad place and start hobbling along again. And someone whos been there or is there knows where to find you for that leg up if you know what I mean! Thanks again for your insight! Good luck with your path to a healthier, happier you! You're doing great! I read your profile and you certainly have had your fair share of rough times. I hope there are plenty of blue skies ahead for you. Keep in touch. Take care, Sue

Sue, I commend your decision to pursue counseling ; our surgery is a wonderful tool for us to implement physical changes, although the psychological changes progress much slower than our shrinking bodies. It's extremely important for us to change our relationship with food. I've been seeing a psychologist for just over two years, and didn't realize until in this past March, when my GP recommended WLS, that WLS therapy is her specialty! Since surgery 7/25/06, I've been seeing her bi-weekly, which has been extremely helpful in accepting diminishing pounds and inches. I, too, am on anti-depressants for five years since being diagnosed with MS; it's been fabulous havingmy emotions on an even keel. However, I suggest reading the pharmacy script on side effects of your medications, as some will indeed promote increased eating. In our former lives, we easily numbed our emotions through overeating, and we need to learn how to acknowledge all emotions, yet implement positive actions to replace emotional eating. A suggestion is to up the protein, which staves hunger. Also, drinking plenty of plain cold water. If desired, add Crystal Lite. Your life is quite full and busy with the two youngsters, and I'm confident you will succeed with both your counseling and WLS program. Take care of you! Hugs, Patti

Hi, Sue: Congratulations on your successful journey so far. The reason for the "pouch" is to level the playing field. You know you need to get your head around the healthy eating habits. You know that you are "supposed" to make the right choices. But heck, we are all human, ya know. The daily stresses of raising a family and dealing with the normal stuff of achieving 57 different roles in the life of a woman are enough to drive anyway to the pantry. I have found some wonderful ways to curtail the mindless snacking or desire to satisfy the "hole" in your psyche. They are really habits you need to start forming... kinda like a defense in football... what if this happens, then I do this... get it. I chew gum - when I get that urge to snack or grab a cookie because I am so frustrated at work or with a situation... i chew sugarless gum. I also will chew something crunchy and spit it out... I know, gross!! But heck it works. I go for a walk. I exercise. I try on clothes. I call my sister. I paint. I have a heart-to-heart with me and tell myself that this is a journey that I chose for the rest of my life. I will have to learn to make better choices. If I slip and fail then I press the "reset" button and forgive myself the brief slip-up. My Katie is 2 years old and loves to feed me during our afternoon tea time with the dolls and bears... LOL. She has put everything from an oreo cookie to a gummy bear into my mouth... I usually spit it out into a napkin when she is not looking but alas, on occasion, I have swollowed the melted chocolate goop and LOVE EVERY FREEKIN MINUTE... truth! But I will not go back to eating to relieve stress or to make me happy. Happy is being a size 8.... really! Take care of you... ShelleyAnne

hello sue, everyone seemed to say it all,,,there is only one thing i see i could add that may help,,,these children of yours,,you are the example,,,now if you keep junk food in the house that is what they will wont to eat (and it will be there for you too) now if you were to buy apples, carretts ,apples sauce, cellory,,,chesse slices,(,peporoni,,,(you can put them in the microwave(2min) and make into chips,,i love them)) you can give your kids a good start in life and not teach them bad eating habits,,they can only eat what you buy,,oh,,,isnt it funny,,,those are the things you can eat too,,,lol,,,,,i know im funny,,, your friend with a pouch sandy