I'm an addict

  Seriously, I was told that I need to cut down on my coffee intake and I can’t.  I have gone from one addition to another and honestly I don’t know what to do.  I don’t get in my water intake a day and I’m so dehydrated and my hemoglobin is dropping again that I might end up in the hospital.  I told myself that I was going to starting taking all my vitamins and I haven’t same with the water intake.  I so need a kick in the rear.  I don’t know how I can make myself do what I need to do.  What works for all of you?  I have set reminders on the computer to take the pills but if I’m busy I delete it and forget.  I might be thirsty but I like to drink coffee and not just plain black this is the good stiff from Caribou; I was at caribou yesterday 3 times for a large turtle, skim, extra hot, no toppings and they are $4.21 each!  I’m going broke just on coffee alone.  I have gained some weight; I need to lose 17 lbs by April (that’s that date I gave myself).   Also when I was in the hospital this last time I was told I can’t smoke anymore (I had a VERY mild heart attach) and 6 weeks later when I went back to work I started smoking again.  It’s like I’m sabotaging myself, since I can’t eat everything like I use to I did what they call transfer additions.  HELP, any ideas? 

Sounds like it is time to make an appointment with someone who can professionally help you with these things.  Remember -- they fix the tummy not the brain!!!  And have you tried the new stop smoking medication -- Chantix??  I've heard it works wonders for some people to stop smoking.   I'll keep you in my prayers.....No butt kicking -- just concern that you get things turned around.  The first step is admitting the problem == next step is to seek help --  XXOO

IMO, you've identified everything - meaning you're aware of what's going on and that you have habits you need to break. I always think that is a big step in the "recovery". Tammy, my first thought is your little one's. You want to be here for them, right? Well, you need to take your vitamins and you need to stay on track with the water, the protein, etc. Smoking should have been out long ago - even before surgery. I have not been to any info session yet that has said it's okay to keep smoking, this is very damaging to your pouch.

Do you have an EAP (employee assistance) program through your work or DH's? They typically have resources for you for such things like smoking cessation, addictions, etc. I think you have to really reflect on why you had this surgery and what you expected to gain from it. Write your thoughts down. For vitamins, if you know you have to take them, how about incorporating them into a meal? One bite of meat, one vitamin, one bite of meat, one vitamin, etc. This way, you are incorporating them into a meal and you don't have the opportunity to just hit the delete button. If you are dehydrated, I sure wouldn't let that go! Get thee to hospital for fluids! Tammy, please start with one thing - if it were me, it would be to get the dehydration taken care of first. The caffeine isn't helping, so maybe the next thing is to limit yourself on the coffee - or for every coffee you drink, drink 2 or 3 glasses of water before you have another.

There is lots you can do to stay in control. You just have to be willing! You can do this!!!

I can completely empathize with you....  I love my coffee and am not at a point where I'm willing to give it up.  Though at $4.21 a pop, that is a mighty spendy habit! For vitamins....here is what has worked for me, and I am RELIGIOUS about taking my vits...  I bought one of those pill dispensers that has the sections for each day of the week.  Mine actually has 4 sections for each day of the week, so I can separate out the ones that I take in the morning and the ones I take at night.  I fill it once a week, and it sits by my bed always.  I take my am pills before I even get out of bed, and my evening ones right before I lay down.  I feel a bit silly for having one of those big pill dispensers, because my parents and grandparents use them...but it has worked for me! Smoking...I got sucked back into that one too after having quit for two years... I took zyban, and quit within a week.   Be kind to yourself!

Ok.  Here you go......did you rearrange your insides just so you could kill yourself in a different way?  So you won't die from being fat....and that is good....but do you really want to die from something else? I keep that in the back of my mind when my day has really sucked and I want a cigarette...Plus not having them easily accessible helps too! Get a jug that holds all 64 oz of h20 for the day....when its gone, you're done!  Works for me...otherwise I lose count or just forget.  Plus I am also addicted to caffeine...namely coffee...so for each coffee I make myself have an extra serving of water, beyond my 64 oz.  sure I float thru the day and pee constantly, but it works! good luck!

We do have a lite turtle... but that doesnt help financially I know.  Im sorry... they are so expensive! Good luck...

I agree with Barb - this is about more than just bad habits.  I think you need to seek counseling.  That may be hard to hear, but I'm a person coming from virtually the same place as you.  I enjoy at least 2 if not 3 large skinny caramel latte's a day.  I'm not concerned about the calories because the calories are all coming from milk - which helps with my protein and calcium intake.  But the expense is ridiculous - but I know my addiction comes from something other than just self control - I drive by a Starbucks and even if I'm plum full I'm compelled to stop in and get a coffee and I don't want a small - I want a large.  I'm also having this issue with food and with shopping.  I'm finally starting counseling - did all my assessments last week and meet to discuss them this week.  It's scary - to think that I'm going to uncover some vicious thing that is causing all of this or uncover that I'm just using everything as an excuse to allow me to do it.  Regardless of the cause - it HAS to be dealt with and NOW. I really encourage you to do the same - you will sabotage yourself and girl YOU'RE WORTH MORE!!!  Whether you believe that or not YOU ARE!!!  And you need to keep telling yourself that. I'm happy to share any insights I get from my counseling if you'd like.  Good luck with everything!  You're not alone - we are all here for you and want the very best for you! Love Tracy

You are in my prayers.  I don't have much wisdom to share, it does sound like you need some help to turn your focus on to doing what's right for YOU!   I think part of the reason many of us found ourselves obese in the first place wasn't that we didn't know better than to eat the crap we ate, in the quantities we ate it - in fact, I think most of us know more about nutrition and dieting than a lot of nutritionists and dieticians!  But maybe we didn't love ourselves enough to care about doing the right thing vs. the wrong thing.  We would eat half a bag of Fritos or 4 scoops of ice cream without thought, 'cuz at some level we had given up on ourselves.   So figure out WHY you want to live, and make that a focal point for yourself!  As Amy suggested, there's NO BETTER REASON than your kids!  Put their pictures all over the place.  In your purse in the way of your money or debit card, so every time you go to buy a coffee or a pack of cigarettes, you're reminded WHY you should turn around and walk away from the counter.  In your car, so you're reminded not to light up.  At your desk, so you don't blow off your reminders to take your vitamins.  Whatever it takes to keep your priorities straight, and to reinforce the things you should or SHOULDN'T do to keep them on top! Admitting all this here took a lot of courage, now care enough about yourself to take the next step.  God Bless you... 

Hey Tammy- I know you have been struggling for a while-it's hard to be a busy mom and take care of yourself.  BUT THIS IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER-you got to the point of surgery because you were addicted to food, and now you are endangering your life, sanity and income with cross addictions.  When you are looking at going into the hospital because of a coffee/caffeine addiction, that is a WAKE UP CALL.  Please please please call your doctor and get a referral to someone who can help you deal with the cross addiction NOW.  only YOU can make the choice to make this better..... Come to coffee, even if you have to bring the boys-we are in Eagan this saturday-you need friends and some hugs....and I am NOT slamming you, just being brutally truthfull because I DO CARE. HUGS~ lynn

I'm only recently new to the MN board and I don't know you.  But here is what I see. You have taken the first step - you have admitted that you are having problems.  That is a huge thing to admit.  It seems as if you know what you have to change.  And it is nice that so many people here are able to reassure you and help you get over this hump.  You have the tools.  Now its the shove you need to get it done.   The winter time brings many, many different moods.  When we don't have many options to get out and enjoy the weather because its way too cold, we tend to fall back on what is comfortable.  Just remember that your kids watch what you do.  And you want to be a good role model to them.  Think about how much money you can save by even cutting back to one or two caribou coffees.  Save that money and plan a fun outside activity - if your kids are old enough.  Snow tubing would be a blast if they are old enough. I wish you the very best of luck as you struggle getting back on track.  I'm planning on attending my first Saturday Coffee in Eagan.  So perhaps we will meet there.  You can do it.  You've come this far. Kelly