Coming to you all for help and much needed advice...(long, sorry)

wolfcallsldy1969
on 7/30/09 7:20 am - Glen Burnie, MD
   My journey started Feb. of 2009.  Was the best thing I have EVER done for myself.  The weight was falling off and by October I had lost almost 100 lbs (with only 50 more to go).  But before October, I had noticed that sugar had no ill effects on me.  Didn't matter what it was, I DIDN'T dump on it. I still do not dump on any kinds of sugar. My weight loss came to a total hault around the end of November.  It still has not moved, at least not in the right direction. The CARB MONSTER also has taken part in this demise.
      This is when I really noticed the head hunger kicking in.  As of yet, I still do not get any feelings of being hungry but I have found that I am eating again just because "it's there" or my "head" is telling me to do so.  It's like the old me is coming back. I drink water or crystal light all through out the day.  There isn't a moment that I don't have my bottle with me (even when I go to bed, it's right there next to me). The problem is not thirst. The more I get frustrated with myself, the more I find that I turn to food again.  I tell myself "get up, brush yourself off, tomorrow is a new day and I will get back on track no matter what."  It doesn't happen.
   I have started to see a therapyst (Andrew Wallen, the speaker from the Crofton group meeting) and I would highly recommend him to anyone that may need help with anything.  He actually diagnosed me with an eating disorder...go figure, had weight loss surgery and been told I have an eating disorder.  He said it's Binge Eating.  Sounds about right.  I pick through out the day, good things and totally bad things, find myself waking up at night to hit the bathroom and find myself going into the kitchen also (another thing I did before the surgery).  The scale has actually gone up this past week and I am totally frustrated with myself for letting this happen.
   Yes, I do bring junk in the house.  I have a fiance and a 13 yr old that do not have any kind of weight problem.  I am to the point though that I am going to ask my fiance this weekend after we go shopping, to take the junk food and put it someplace where I do not know where it is so that I don't have that stuff to turn to when the head hunger hits.
   I do not work, due to disability (thanks to an accident 16 yrs ago) so I am home all day.  There is only so much cleaning a person can do in a small apartment on a daily basis. 
   Exercise is not an option for me at the moment being I just had knee surgery last week and am on crutches for a total of 6 weeks.  I am not supposed to be putting ANY weight on the right side because of it. I have my follow up appointment next week and will see what he says I can start doing and what is totally not allowed.  Walking, yeah I can, but have you ever tried to walk long distances on crutches????  UGH....
   What I am asking all of you is:
1.) What do you do when the head hunger hits and you have a MAJOR urge to
    go into the kitchen and find something to snack on??? 
2.)  If you can't resist the urge, what do you snack on to make it go away?
3.)  What kind of exercise can be done that doesn't involve using your legs??
    (yes it sounds crazy, but I am desperate)
 
  I had more questions in my head when I started this but they have slipped my mind and I can't think of them.  I really would appreciate your input on this.  I really don't think talking to my surgeon or nut would help.  That is why I am seeing a therapyst.  I would just like to know who else out there has been going through problems and what you do to keep yourself from self destructing, the way I feel I am.

Lisa B.
on 7/30/09 10:33 am - Baltimore, MD

I have much of the same problems, although I am pre-op. I know they won't magically go away after surgery.  I think it's good that you are seeing a therapist and at least you recognize what you are doing to yourself.

Are there any other hobbies you can take up? Reading? Knitting? Scrapbooking? Sit outside and "people watch" when it's not too hot and humid?  I'm trying to think of things you can do with having limited mobility.  It helps when you aren't sitting around bored. I know that's when I tend to eat. It's like I have to be doing something or I think about raiding the fridge... or even worse go get fast food (that's my addiction). The worst part of fast food is it doesn't even taste good, yet I still go out and get it. I don't know what that's about! I tend not to eat as much at home because I have my daughter to chase around.

I'll try to think of some more ideas. Hang in there.

~*~Lisa B~*~  
      
wolfcallsldy1969
on 7/30/09 7:47 pm - Glen Burnie, MD
Hi Lisa..thanks for your input.  I have to say fast food was never a problem for me.  I would have that on a rare occasion.  Really don't have any cravings for it now either, thank god.  As far as hobbies, I love to paint ceramics.  Problem is, I haven't found any ceramic warehouses that have pieces here.  I lived up in Upstate NY and always went to one big warehouse that had quite a selection.  Guess I need to get up to NY again...lol  Sitting around bored is definately a problem.  I don't sit and watch tv all day.  I will have it on for background noise when I don't have the radio on.  Usually it's the radio on all day for me and tv at night.  I am really hoping that my orthopaedic will tell me to start physical therapy which does give me a little bit of exercise (when I was going for my neck, I was doing a lot of things and noticed my arms were building up slightly).  Maybe I will get clearance to be able to swim.  There is a pool here at the apartments where I live and my son will have me as company in the pool.  That would be nice.
Thank you for your input.  You're really sweet and good luck.

lbsadropping
on 7/30/09 10:51 am - Crofton, MD
Well. I'll jump in on this as I'am a Crofton resident. of that that mean I'am qualified for anything cept trying to break 90 at Crofton Country club.
My Doc and Nut said if I did'nt change my lifestyle I will regain.  Nut came to the house an took all our bad food choices and gave them to the church.  Go figure. Thats the beginning for me.  Wife never did make bad choices and she shows it.
Staying at home during the day is a problem in itsel***** to DC musem hopping or to the zoo or bike the MT vernon trail or anything just to get away from TV and kitchen and local fat shacks.
I'am without work and I fill my day by getting out with a pocket full of protein bars and water or white tea.

It appears that you have to many "things" to blame.  Carbs etc.  Its you that counts and you thats in control.
Get back to basics.  You may not need anymore help than a simple kick in the ass.  Do a pouch test for a week or 2. A little cleansing is good for the bod and soul.
Exercise like you believe in it no matter what your disabilty

I may have shot myself on this post, but I believe you are a strong person that needs a side nudge once in awhile
Good luck
wolfcallsldy1969
on 7/30/09 7:52 pm - Glen Burnie, MD
Thank you for your input.  I know if I don't change things, I am going to regain.  Last night when my fiance came home, I had him take all the junk and put it someplace where I wouldn't find it.  "Out of sight, out of mind".  That was my first step to regaining control.  After we shop tomorrow, I will have him do the same thing and only he and my son will know where their things are.  My fiance said that first thing we are going to shop for are "GOOD" things that I can snack on if I get the urge for something..Food lion has my red grapes on sale this week...woooo hooo!!!  lol..
I would love to get out and bike again, but I don't have clearance to do that yet.  Hopefully the humidity will calm down soon so that I can get back out there. 
As of this morning, I have had a greek yogurt.  I will, later on, make my protein shake, as I normally do.  Time to make the better choices.
Yes, I think a good kick in the ass is what I have needed.  Again, thank you for answering.  I know I don't post on here very often but I do try here and there to congratulate everyone on their success.  Hope you have a great day today and a wonderful weekend.  Good luck to you!!!

ReedsMommy
on 7/30/09 1:48 pm
Hello,

First I wanted to say that you have done a great job so far!

When I find the head hunger starting I try to find something else to do with my hands, whether I get on the computer, pick up a book, fold laundry, anything to make my hands busy.

When I can't fight the urge, I go make a protein shake,  I know you said that you drink and thirst is not the problem, however I find that drinking something high in protein fills me up, and keeps me feeling full for awhile, usually long enough to get past the head hunger.  I did not have RNY, therefore I do not have a pouch, but I would think this would help you also.  Something about the protein sticks with you.

There are actually exercise DVDs you can get that are designed for people that can't use their legs much.  My grandmother had them years ago but they are aerobic type exercises that you can do from a chair.  For that matter, you could probably do the arm parts of any aerobic workout from a chair.

Best of luck to you!
Traci
HW 331/ SW 318.5/ CW 183/ GW 174
wolfcallsldy1969
on 7/30/09 7:56 pm - Glen Burnie, MD
Thank you for also answering my post.  And thank you for the compliment on how I have done so far.  It's not easy.  Can't believe how so many people think it's the "easy" way out.  It definitely isn't.
I do get in my protein shakes daily.  I had actually gone up to 3 a day and noticed when I went a few days without, I dropped a few lbs.  I think I was actually getting in too much.  Now I do 1, maybe 2 a day.  I think it's the feel of something crunchy or just having food in my mouth, not a drink that is what makes me feel better.  Definitely going to change that to make sure it's good things that go in.  Like I said in a reply to someone else, all the junk food was taken out of my sight so that I don't run to it.  It's a start.
I have a very old Jane Fonda work out VHS that I am going to pop into the player later today and do what I can with it.  It's a start right???
Thank you again for your input. It's much appreciated.  Good luck to you.

Gail K.
on 7/30/09 9:54 pm - Parkton, MD
You are so not alone if that can offer any support.

I have the same problem. My husband and I have been having problems to the point that I left him on Friday only to return on Tuesday. One of the major problems that he was having was his worry for me. He remembers how down on myself I was pre surgery. I was depressed, had no energy and was not a very fun person to be around. He said he did not want to be around to see me go through that again but he could see where I was and am headed if I continue on this path. I knew when I had this surgery that I would still have a problem with binge eating. I was hoping I would get the dumping if I ate sugar and sometimes I do.I was in therapy for many years pre surgery and have gone back post surgery. It never helped me.

I am going to post a website for you to check out. It is about healing addiction through nutrition. Please check it out and answer the questions and see if you fit this description. BTW, do you have family members who have any kind of addictions? This is a genetic thing and I truly believe that it is biochemical....which therapist do not even want to look at.

I hope you can find some peace and serenity around this and get back on the right path.

www.radiantrecovery.com
Gail K
 
wolfcallsldy1969
on 7/31/09 1:04 am - Glen Burnie, MD
   Thank you Gail.  It is nice to see there are actually people that have had the surgery and are willing to post to say "I know what you are going through and you are not alone.  I am not perfect and we all have some kind of problem during our weight loss."  Not many can come out and say that.  I am not looking for sympathy or an easy fix.  Just some suggestions on what other's have done to get back on track and to say "hey this is what I did to curb the cravings and what exercise I have tried and it may help you."  Any suggestions are taken into consideration with me and I really appreciate your input.  I do hope that things get better for you.  It's a tough battle that we have fought before and now after surgery.  It's not a "piece of cake" (excuse the pun....) it's a struggle from time to time and everyone needs to realize this.  I am not saying to anyone that hasn't had the surgery not to, but to keep in mind that some of the struggles you have had before the surgery can creep back up on you if you don't keep on top of things.  I wish you the best on what you are going through.  If you ever want to chat, PM me anytime.
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