Recognizing other coping skills than food

Post Opers....Have you recognize the things you have for coping skills this days? Mine seems to be writing things out and getting them out of me. What a wonderful way of coping with the stresses, anger, happiness rather than going to foods. I am still eating of course but not to the level I did before. Having something to do with the emotions help me alot. I come to this board sometimes as just a place to put them sorta like a shelf that one day I can go back to them and say what was that all about or WOW it was like that. I do appreciate that everyone here does not mind me doing this and hope that you have found something as valuable for your journey and it is working for you. So what is it that you find useful to help you deal with the bummers and uppers of life other than food these days? You knew the question was coming right? Well I am off to NJ today. Not good news in Grammy II camp. Hubby is dying. They started morphine last night. She is a mess and will have to come live with me soon. I can't have her by herself too long she is recovering from colon cancer operation and the rearranging they did on her innners she still is not right with bowel movements or wanting to eat. Some of this I am contributing to stress of his condition. I almost hate to say this but I wish he would die soon so she can get on with life. She is a type of person who always cared what others think and she never put herself first....She isn't as big as a house either....I wish I could understand how she does it and how she could change this. Maybe its her internalizing things that keep her thin. Something for me to ponder over on the long ride. If anyone is familiar with assisted living places in the area and can make recommendations please email me with them. I need all the help I can get with this....I know nothing about it. Thanks again for being there for me! Hugs and Fleece Blankets Debbie

A lot of my eating it seems was out of boredom. I would work then go home and do nothing... but eat. Just graze all night long. I have found in this past year with all the energy I now have, my knees are much nicer to me etc, I don't go home straight from work every night anymore. Nor sit at home all weekend anymore. I've become so busy that friends are starting to ask when I slept and tell me how I wear them out and they can't keep up (never thought I'd hear that ). So less time bored, less time thinking about food, less time grazing, it has worked for me. My one emotion that triggered eating was anger. But you know. Now that I feel so much better all the time, I don't seem to get as miffed as often as I used to. In fact it is very rare now. And when I do? I still have the thought of running by McDonalds and ordering way too much food. But so far, I've been able to recognize it and tell myself to move on, it will all be ok. Then I find some type of activity with friends to do. That has worked for me so far and I pray it continues to work! Love ya girlie!

Debbie, Once again a great thought topic. I agree with Gigi, I think when I was so overweight that I didn't want to go out of my comfort zone so I stayed around the house or with people who knew me and ate. Now I go for a walk if I am bored or go to the mall and talk to people I don't even know (aren't they lucky ) My better self esteme has helped me cope with some of my eating demons. I still find that there are times that I graze and not even realize it. I need to become more aware of those times. I am even working on the flower beds and grass outside because I can now. I still don't like it but it is easier for me now. I am sticking by the 3 bite rule when it comes to eating things that I know I shouldn't and that helps too. Good luck with your Grammy. I wish I had some advise for you, but the only places I know of are in the Bensalem area where my Mother in law is. I hope you can find a place because it will be such a peace of mind thing for you. Love, Ellen

Debbie You nailed it AGAIN. And this too, can be applied to my effort to NOT SMOKE. Dianne Day EIGHT No