Hello, my name is TOM and I am an addict!!!

 

You think with my 4 year Band-iversary coming up (January 28th) by now I would have a handle on my eating habits, but this past HOLIDAY only went to show that old habits can resurface. As a result, I gained around 20 pounds. This seems to be a “normal" pattern for me between Thanksgiving and New Year Day.

 

Now I can make a 1,001 excuses why I ate the way I did. I know WHAT I SHOULD HAVE DONE, but I still did what I WANTED to do. I know, you may ask yourself WHY, and the answer is simple, I AM AN ADDICT. Addiction will make us do things we know isn’t right, but we do them anyway. That’s why I empathize with anyone who is dealing with an addiction. While the “masses" may not view obesity as an “true addiction", I think many of us WILL AGREE IT IS.

 

While this type of behavior seems to me a “normal pattern" for me, what is also a “normal pattern" is come January 1, I get BACK ON TRACK by going BACK TO THE BASICS. For those who don’t know what I do, it’s simple. I pretend that I just had the operation, and I go through all my “eating stages" again, beginning with the liquid stage. I recommend to anyone who is struggling to do this. I truly believe this “resets" the body (and/or mind). I usually tell someone to do each stage for a few DAYS (2 – 3 day each stage). However for me, I need to do each stage for a few WEEKS (2 weeks per stage, like I had to do with the operation).

 

While I am embarrassed … ok, HUMBLED, to report a 20 pound again, I am pleasured to report that since January 1, I have already lost 10 of those pounds. Can I assure everyone this kind of loss will occur for them, no. But I can promise, for those who are having issues, that doing this will help them lose, and (hopefully) get their mindset back on the ultimate goal – losing weight. YES!!!

 

For anyone who is new to the bariatric world, or may be thinking about it, I want you to realize this isn’t an easy process. It takes work EVERYDAY to remain successful. Also, you need to realize during your path to success there will be stumbles and/or falls. What we do after those stumbles/falls is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. We need to get up, dust ourselves off, and remain steadfast down the road of success.

 

I wish each and every one you a very successful 2012. And please know I am always here for you.

 

Thank you for listen….errr reading this.

 

My name is Tom, and I am an addict!!

Hi, Tom
My name is Sue and I am an addict. My holiday experience pretty much mirrors yours except for a 10 lb. gain. This year, unlike other years, I got control of my eating for a while between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Once I got started on the Christmas binge, though, I couldn't (wouldn't) stop until last week. The good news is I am losing again.

I have found that I must always remember that addiction and that there are certain foods that once eaten trigger binges. I have learned, too, that while I am better avoiding those things, but not all goodies, if I lose it I don't need to beat myself bloody with recriminations. That benefits nothing and actually hinders recovery.

I try to use the Twelve Steps on this addiction because, for me, it is the same as any other. Through study of those steps for many years I have Incorporated them into my life as principles but often forget the part about making amends to myself. That has to be part of it, too.

Before my surgery I tried to use the steps with my eating but couldn't seem to make much progress. I feel as if my preparation for surgery led me to realize that in order to succeed I needed to develop new relationships, view life (and eating) in a new way, and do my best to address many areas of my life, including my eating. I looked at what it would take to succeed and what it would take to fail. It is my choice to go in one direction or the other. That made me willing, to be willing, to be willing to examine and try to change those deep, dark, secret places in my soul.

With that in mind I choose to renew my resolve, stop feeling guilty, and get a move on.
Thanks, Tom, and happy 2012 to all.

5 here. And I can't blame the holidays. Half of that was probably from ice cream. So I am back to not buying sweets and bringing them in the house. Will take a lot longer to drop the 5 than it did to put them on!

Tom so good to see you posting over here, yopu have so much good information. Hope to see more of you over here!

Thanks, Tom!

My name is Wynell, and I am an addict, also. I have been beating myself black and blue (figuratively) with my 8 pound gain over the holidays. I just KNEW that my magic band would not allow this to happen. Guess the magic fairy forgot to sprinkle her dust on me! Yeah, right!

Thanks for reminding all of us that we are human and that do-overs are the best medicine!

 Addict here too, but I view food differently now. 6 years out, and I have a fear of fattening and addictive foods. I don't like seeing them, and especially hate multiple dessert choices. It just happened. I view food as the enemy, and myself as a victim, and I feel anxious instead of happy.I also have enough restiction that I cannot eat with abandon, so I would rather not torture myself. This helps me walk away from potentially dangerous situations. I have also noticed lately, my newest friends are thinner, and don't eat that much. Maybe a fill before the holidays? 

Hello,

It's been a long time since I have posted on here. I'm 2.5 years out. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas I did great. i actually lost some weight but after that all good cookies and candy came out. I only gained 3 pounds but I sure did feel the effects of eating that junk. Now granted I don't eat perfect all the time and would have a smidge of something here and there. But at Christmas time it was terrible. I was eating 2-3 pieces of fudge or cookies at 1 sitting. I'm happy to report tho that I lost that plus 1. This is a lifelong journey and it does take work like you said. The band doesn't control what we put in our mouths.

Good for you for losing the weight. :-)

Hello I am a food addict too I was so glad to see this post because for years i have been in denial just recently i knew i had a problem because i had gotten to a point in my benges where i had no sense of being full and that was very scary for me. I went to a seminar about the band in september and now am on track to getting a surgery date real soon Hopefully some time in feb. this year. I have my last weigh in this month and then i get my surgery date.

Tom, you always amaze me how you can go back to basics and stick to it.   I try.......but I last only a day or two, not enough to reset my mind and body. 

I just don't seem to be able to be a good liar, even to myself.  Can't quite convince myself I am fresh from surgery and HAVE to follow the liquid rules.  ha ha ha 

With men, the making up stuff comes so easily.........

Love ya!

Good for you that is great that you can restart like that!