HELP!! Mindless Eating

What the H#ll is wrong with me??? all day I have been mindlessly eating everything in sight...bread, cereal, broccoli, breakfast bars, grapes,,,,...I am feeling so out of control ..I hate feeling like this,,,,the last week or so has been difficult, but today is the culmination of out-of-control eating....I sooo hate myself when I get like this..... I'm reaching out for some support . help.....

Darota, Old habits die hard! I was just saying that to Debby after the WLS meeting. Most days I'm like that, too. It's so hard to fight off the urge to graze. My hardest time is the last couple of hours before bed. I guess I sort of feel that I have to get in as much as I can before I stop for the nite. My love affair with eating will never be over. I've lost 61lbs since I first met Dr. A. I could have lost about double that if I only ate 5- 1/2 cup meals a day and exercised alot. It's my own fault, but I can't help it. I'm a compulsive overeater. I didn't realize this until after my lap band surgery. I could tell you more about it later, I have to go now. Just know that I feel your pain. Don't hate yourself when it happens. Just remember that tomorrow is another day. Keep a positive attitude. Maybe push yourself a little longer when you power walk, or do some extra stair climbing. Something to make you feel proud of yourself. I think of you often, and hope someday I could look as drop dead gorgeous as you do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Much Love, Esther

Dorota: I confess: I've been that way for the last two days. Is it the cycle of the moon, the recent temperture increase or what? Bette

it is hard to control the grazing sometimes- I go for the fluids now - just had that problem- really wanted something to snack on before bed not becasue I am hungry- just because- so I made a cup of tea instead. (skim milk and splenda) Grapes, broccoli- hey those aren't bad grazing items. The bread and other carby stuff ya could do without! We need sponsors like in AA so when we have a weak moment we can call someone on the phone and get talked down LOL

HI Dorota! Sounds like we all have to do battle with that "Grazing Demon" from time to time. The fact that you realize that it has you making bad choices is a good sign . Last thing you want to do is beat yourself up as that just gives that demon more fuel. I plan ahead and make a point of surrounding myself with munchy friendly snacks. Know it's hard especially when your shopping for a family and stocking the fridge for everybody. I have my stash of things like beef jerkey,light yoguert, things like that. I make a point of having carbs on my own terms on occassion just so I don't crave them. Had 1/2 a whole wheat bagel with cream cheese this moring ! The important thing that with a little planning, you can control that demon! Don't let it get you depressed! You have done a Wonderful Job on this "Journey". Just tell yourself the next time the demon shows his head you pop a good food choice in you mouth and give him a kick in the butt! Take Care and Be well!

Hi Dorota, I noticed myself since I am very limited from Carbs, I do not grazing myself. For me Carbs is bad evil because it made me to eat more and more. If I feel grazing or head hunger then I chose wise snacks like mozz cheese stick, shrimps ,cold lunch meats roll up etc... like protien foods. The only thing the doctor cannot fix our head hunger and we have to use our tools to keep our shape up. Try to find or force on other things instead to go get some foods. Go outside and walk around or go swim in the pool then our head hunger will disappear. We can talk about this grazing issue at WLS picnic and support each other. Start fresh new day today. You can do it! Hugs Kathy K

Dorota: Reaching out is prime... and shows you are on a healthy track. Bravo! You know, the eating/grazing thing can happen to the best of us. I had a day last weekend that I thought some creature had seized my mind/body. I was in total rebellion! It scared me. I took the time to write out a new food/exercise plan. Something to consider...a topic that my nutritionist has discussed with me in the past. That is food boredom. (there is a real name for it... sensory-specific satiety) Meaning... we need to change the plan up a bit from time to time or our bodies become bored with what we are eating day in and day out. That is the dangerous slippery slide time. This is when we reach for something not on our plan. So think about looking at your plan and shake it up a bit. Also, I am finding that regular exercise makes a difference in what I choose to eat. Helps me stay on track more. And last but not least. The psychologist in our support group says... LIVE IN THE GREY... meaning... if you are successful in your efforts 80% of the time you are good to go. This perfection thing can be an enemy. All of this I am learning as I journey towards health. So be gentle with yourself as you ask yourself to be accountable. Sometimes a balancing act for sure. Be well. See you Saturday? T.

Towanda, I really like what you said. Learning to live in the grey is something I am really striving for. I have been an all or nothing kind of person all my life when it came to weight loss, which lead to my downfall everytime. I know I cannot be perfect every day, it just isn't possible and on those days where I have that grazing gremlin taking over my body, I feel like a total failure. So I love your words, "...be gentle with yourself as you ask yourself to be accountable." Very wise. Thank you for sharing that, it helps a lot. Dorota, I am glad you are here talking about grazing problems. I have been struggling with them myself. I am happy to say that I have more good days than not so good, but ....need to keep the balance, as Towanda says, because I know you would agree.... we do not want that balance falling in the wrong direction. Now that our bodies are adapting to the new anatomy, it is ever so important to use those rules of the pouch we learned during the losing phase of our journey. It was great practice for how we should eat every day. That being said, it is still very difficult to fight off those demons; stress, boredom, head hunger... whatever the name the grazing gremlin is using on that day when you can't control the urge. Remember, though, we have a few weapons to beat that gremlin down now. With that and exercise, we will have success for a long time to come. Have a better day tomorrow and thank you for bringing this out into the open. I think you are probably speaking for many of us who are facing this same problem. terri

I wish I found a simple solution to this, but I struggle with it daily. And I can eat more than 1/2 a bagel like Julio. However, the doc says my stomach isn't stretched, I just have to keep struggling with eating & drinking at the same time. I'm trying my hardest to do so. One thing I do make sure of is to exercise 5-6 days a week. Can't lift weights because of the hernia, but I do 20 minutes on the elliptical and 15-20 on the treadmill. I sweat like crazy! So no gain, but the weight loss has slowed.

Hey there Dorota I am going through the exact same thing you are. I am so out of control with the eating throughout the day. I have been eating protein bars, crackers, cheese, lots of chips and cheetos, sometimes sweets too. Its crazy. I went to the surgeon yesterday but did not get to talk with him directly, I saw Jessie the assistant and she told me my iron may be low or I may be anemic. She told me more hard proteins and less soft, stop the drinking with meals that makes it easier to eat more. My scale has not moved in 6 mths and I am going insane. Now I have to go back to smaller portions, eat 4 to 6 times a day and not drin****il 2 hours after my meals. Its so hard for me too. I have been getting so depressed about all of this thats when I start doing my emotional eating again too. I can feel for you my dear big time. We all have to try to help eachother in some way to get out this slump we are in. I am going to start all over again. They gave me a website to keep track of my meals and exercise thats attached to their office so I hope it helps. Back to the dr. in 3 months. They took about 7 vials of blood from me today, man I felt like a vampire drained me. LOL LOL Anyway keep your chin up Dorota, you get passed this. We are all here for you. See you on Saturday. Hugs KimC