Stressed

Need some help, feeling really stressed and all my mind is going to is comfort foods.  Not taking the bait but can anyone offer suggestions?  Tried walking and that has not helped.  I am 4 months post op.

Make a list of distractions.  Each person is different in what relaxes them or what they enjoy.  The best defence to temptation is to be prepared.  Tell yourself goin back to "old faithful" FOOD .....IS NO LONGER AN OPTION !!!!!    Read, put on headphones listen to music, call a friend, go on OH, go lay down and breathe deeply, have a tea or beverage of choice. 

I don't know what is stressing you but you know that what you did in the past WASNT THE BEST CHOICE so work hard at finding a healthy replacement.  More importantly you also know if you gave in to the comfort food.....it would make you feel guilty and awful afterwards which solves nothing in the long-run. 

Most of us have food addictions and horrible habits that don't magically change from surgery.  They are always going to try to resurface and rear their ugly heads....because its habit.  Only time and battling one day at a time will get these thoughts behind you.

Stay strong..... write your list so you are ready.......and we are always here for you!!

Fear the dumping syndrome!  Tell yourself that if you eat it you could end up paying for it in a very yucky way. I'm hoping the fear will work for me when I am post op.

It doesn't. You will need other ways to sooth beside food and fear

I like the idea of a distractions list, I have a list on my fridge and on my phone and it does help.  What worked for me early out is sleeping, listening to a relaxation/meditation tape, any kind of exercise, playing a video game, anything to distract myself.  Unfortunately this will only get harder with time.  At 19 months out I am still struggling with comfort foods and most likely will for the rest of my life.  This surgery does not change our brains, only our stomachs.  Luckily if you overeat at 4 months you will get sick and that will act as a deterrant, further out you can eat more and it gets harder.  If you are having trouble contact your centre for ideas, they are the experts and want you to succeed.  Try to be gentle with yourself, so something self-caring like take a bath or do your nails, whatever makes you feel cared for.  I like therapeutic massages, and they are covered under many health insurances plan, so that would be another idea.

As I'm just starting my journey it's important for me to read this from those of you in different stages of the process.  You are all brave for following through on this difficult decision and incredibly inspiring to continue to fight those demons we all face regardless of where we are in the process. Honestly, if I wasn't so afraid of losing that mind fight, I would have made this decision years ago.  Stay strong.

When I get stressed, I end up writing what's bugging me in my journal.  It's the only way that I can get it out and be able to sleep etc.  It was suggested to me by a counsellor when I was having problems, and it still works today.

Cathy