The amount of food that "the others" eat!

I went out to eat this evening with my husband and mother-in-law to Jimmy's in West Haven which, I gather, gives pretty big portions. This was my first time there. For the record, I had half a bowl of chowder - skipped the taters- and half a soft-shelled crab sandwich with only a dab of tartar sauce and half a slice of toasted bread. I saw an "average-sized" woman there have a salad, platter of whole clams and fries, then a huge fudge sundae. My first thought was, "My GOD, that's a lot of food." Then I had to wonder if, last summer, that would have been me, although I really doubt that I could have done it. Has anyone else noticed that they pay more attention to the amounts the other people eat? I certainly never was very aware pre-op, unless I saw someone with what I thought was a staggering amount of food, and that was pretty uncommon. I was just wondering if this new-found awareness was common...

Bette: I am so aware of what and how much other people are eating. I thought it was just me and that I was just being mean, but I see some people eating this food and I can tell I make a face and I think horrible thoughts. That WAS me. I over-ate all the time. That was my entire problem. But you are not alone in your thoughts. By the way, Isn't there food yummy at Jimmy's? You did a great job with your choice, sounds wonderfully delicious! Tara

Yes I do, and I get full jus****ching them eat. It is amazing to stop and think that I would have been keeping up with them easily pre op. It's scary sometimes. Maggie

Isn't it?!? Same with me Maggie. I have a couple of heavier friends and when we go out to eat, I am AMAZED at the portion sizes that they can consume. I KNOW for a FACT that that was me pre-op. I could sit there and eat with the best of them and still have room for desert. Thank GOD for WLS and for changing the way I eat along with my food CHOICES! It's all psychological and you need to have the will power to change bad habits. Not feeling hungry sure helps that! Tara

It is funny my husband and I were talking about that today. We went for breakfast at the Cracker Barrell. I had one scrambled egg and toast and I could not eat it all. Then two women came in that were very large. My jaw dropped at their food that was brought to their table. I was really horrified. I thought that was me a year ago! I like many others was not aware and did not pay attention until I was post op. I also am always amazed at what I see in peoples shopping trolleys! Oh so much junk food.

I've really noticed this when I'm cooking for people (new group of "normal sized" people as opposed to 2 overweight people) and I find I'm making HALF of what I used to make before and there's still leftovers. So, when I was making double what I'm making now, there were no leftovers. Really makes you think about how much you ate before. I have been one of those people that went to Cracker Barrel and had the 5 veggies as a meal. When I look at it now it is SO overwhelming for me. Even seeing the portions that I get served when going out to eat is overwhelming.. when before I would have polished them off. What I do notice now is, I don't have that regret any more.. the feeling of "I wish I could just stop at a "normal" amount of food" or "I wish I didn't have the option of eating this much food". Now, I don't.. and that's a big relief to me. Now, I'm more concerned about "pigging out" on a teaspoon too much of food. Can't win. Michelle

When I'm at a restaurant, I've found that I've got to keep my eyes to myself or risk being seriously grossed out sometimes. I't SO hard for me to fathom the amount of food people eat, because I'm so sheltered from it now. We rarely eat out at a sitdown restaurant, because I just don't find it enjoyable, and I think it's a waste of money I could buy some clothes with!!! (OK, I'm a little nuts.) Also, it's a distant memory just how much I used to be able to eat. Sometimes, I drive my hubby crazy with 'are you actually going to eat all that???" and he kindly reminds me that I'm being a bit#@, and to mind my own food quantities, as I'm the one who's restricted not him! Well, excuuuuuse me for living! But I can't HELP it! Oh well. What can you do? lisa C

When I first got home from the hospital and several weeks thereafter, I could not sit at the table while my Dad ate. I couldn't believe one person could consume so much so quickly. Boy how things change after this surgery. Donna