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

Sue- I wish I could help you but I have not experienced this. Do you think maybe it's he holidays and all that stress? Thats good that you are talking to somebody and doing the right steps to hopefully get out of this. We are all here for ou and if ou need someone to talk to dont hesitate. How was you Thanksgiving. A bunch of us are going to a dinner theater on the 17 th in timonium (look under december get together. Maybe you just need to get out of the house. Find a sitter and go out. It will be alot of fun. There is a buy one get one free ticket on the website so bring a friend. Let me know and I can send you the website to check it out. I hope you have a good day and talk to you soon Kelly

Hi Kelly, Thanks! I knew this surgery would not be the entire answer to my obesity, so I was prepared for working through issues. But boy is it tough sometimes! The holidays may very well be playing a part, plus my husband is all consumed with work and school right now. So, yes, there is that added stress. I think exercise has to be put in the mix more - that might help and the babysitter... who says I have to sit around the house if the kids are sleeping (I'm more of a night person and going out after they hit the sack would be nice esp since there are extended shopping hrs these days) - good idea! Hubby and I are celebrating our 13th Anniversary the weekend of the 17th and are headed out of town with no boys!! I think it is only the 2nd time, since kids, that we've had an overnighter together!! It sounds like a nice night, I hope you all have a great time!!! Thanks again, Sue

Although it has been a few years since I had young ones at home, I can still recall so well the stress I felt. I took anti-depressants for years. One thing that I have learned is that you have to replace your "habit" with something else. I wish I could say that I have replaced my habit (smoking) with something else. But I also used to go buy a pint of ice cream and sit and eat it as my reward for the stress I experienced. instead of ice cream, I have found the sugar free popscicles help to satiate my needs. Also, pudding frozen a little helps. Try to think of something you may enjoy that you can easily redirect yourself towards when you want to eat. Brush you teeth- do some leg lifts- anything to replace the need for eating. It takes about a month to change and replace a bad habit. Good luck. Keep checking the baords. Maybe that should be your replacement habit. Aime

Hi Aime, Thanks! I know about that ice cream reward at the end of a day - sometimes even more than a pint tho!!!!! SF popsicles are something I have indulged in quite a bit since my surgery - I don't know if it's the cold or what but it just hits the spot! It is so easy to just give in and have something to eat - but it's really not helping me in the long run. Thanks again for your insight! Take care, Sue

Hi Sue, I know this reply to your post is several days late. I have been away from home and office and not checking the boards. I am catching up today. I just wanted to write you and let you know that I understand how you feel. I am doing well myself but have found lately that in stressful situations I too am running to food. The sad thing is that the food isn't satisfying me. I mean, even if I eat somthing that I really shouldn't, like a cookie or some other comfort food, I am not eating until I am stuffed and I don't really enjoy what I am eating. Yet I continue to eat. I know that I need some more counseling, to help me deal with stressful situations in a more healthy manner. I just wanted you to know that you are not alone. I am usually very controlled with my food choices, and even when I don't make the best choices, I am not over eating. But I know that I am still using food as a de-stresser and that is not healthy and certainly won't help me to lose the last of my weight or maintain my weight loss. Hang in there. I tend to use this site as my comfort and destresser. It helps a lot. Hang in there. Hugs, Robin