Food is my coping mechanism

I definitely use food to cope when I'm stressed, scared, unhappy, etc. etc. etc. What will I do when I no longer have the ability to deal with life by eating??? I'm REALLY worried about this!

Food was and will always be my trigger when something is bothering me. Once you lose the weight, you will be able to get out and about and better curb your desire. Once I was able to exercise, I started going to the gym. Now that the weather is changing, I walk and think when I am stressed. Grab a carrot, a piece of fruit, a tiny bite of something that soothes you. I keep dark chocolate in my freezer for those times when I just have to bite into something that I should stay away from. We are all human and nothing is going to cure those cravings and desires for the the forbidden. As my friend keeps telling me, nothing is worth the price of gaining back all of the weight. I also chew on carrots or oranges or anything other then high fat, high carb foods. Doesn't mean that I don't have it sometimes. Tonight I was craving ice cream so bad, that I did a scrapbook page on it! Now I can look at it and laugh, but a couple of hours ago, I would have smacked anyone who got in my way! Hang in there, we've all been through that fear. YOU will make it! We're all here to help and support.

OK, Judy, no great words of wisdom, but you're on the right track for thinking of this pre-op. We have to learn to deal with lifes stresses without eating, drinking, shopping gambling, etc. It helps if you find your motivation to live a better life. We all have them, I don't know what else to say.

I do the same thing. As I'm preparing for surgery I've found that when I'm wanting to eat because I'm bored, tired, stressed, etc.....I've been sitting down with a bottle of water and reading the board. It helps take my mind off of wanting to eat by reading other peoples success stories posted on the board and in their profiles. Good luck to you, I'm sure you will find a new way to cope with all your feelings once the surgery is done. When you start losing you will be motived by that. Good luck to you!

YES! I've really noticed how pronounced this is since I began my pre-surgery liquid diet last week. It IS difficult. I would even say it is more difficult than when I quit my 20 year smoking addiction a couple of years ago. Water helps, talking, too. You may even consider a social worker or psychologist to help you navigate through all of this transition. Hugs, Karen

HI Judy, I thought about this before surgery as well, and it really is an issue for me. However, the surgery makes me not be able to binge, but it still is pretty hard. A friend of mine who had the surgery about 5 years ago, says, "they operate on our stomachs, not on our heads" and that is the truth of the matter. I dont really have any words of wisdom on this subject, I just keep on keeping on I guess. Being busy helps me too. Michelle