rough days

you have been so encouraging and helpful to me (along with everyone on this board).  I wish I could give you some advice but instead I'll just send a hug. {{{hugs}}}

Thanks, Sandra!  

You are about 4 months out right?  That is the same time that thing**** me emotionally.  I had a past trauma come back and hit me like a freight train and ended up in counseling....almost 3 years later and I am still seeing the same counselor...it really helps with the day to day crap.  It may help you to talk to someone too. 

HG

Heather,

Yep - almost exactly 4 months.  And it could well just be the timing... the newness of the experience is wearing off and the emotional underpinnings are starting to "show through."  

I'd actually love to find a good counselor who's experienced with dealing with this journey.  The provider our family uses didn't have anyone available the last time I called, and it was never "urgent" enough for me to call back... but that's a lame excuse.  Know any good counselors in the Doylestown or Newtown area?  

Karen

Karen:  http://www.myselfdesign.com/ContactUs.aspx    This person specializes in counseling for WLS patients and is in Ambler.   There is another in Willow Grove that does weight loss support (not WLS specific)  http://www.plinerpsych.com/services/weight-loss-support/  as well as depression etc.  

Hindsight is 20/20 and at 3 years+ out I can tell you that you need to put your (horse)blinders on and just plow straight through the emotional crap you are feeling.   If the scale is stressing you out, put it away.   Stay away from the mirror; your appearance can't stress you out if you are not looking at it.   If your clothes are hanging off you, buy one that are fitted so you don't feel skinny.    Do TWICE the amount of exercise you would normally do as that is the BEST DE-STRESSOR there is; it will reset your chemicals.   Take the hubby along, he needs to de-stress too.  Do this for a few weeks and I think you'll feel the difference mentally; evidently you are ready to ramp it up and need something physical to offset the mental.   Time to learn some more coping skills. 
I wish we could get one of these folks to visit a Barix Saturday meeting  .  We'd probably exceed the fire marshall's occupancy limits in attendance!  Hint!  Hint!

Hi Karen -
Just wanted to send a hug your way.  Hang in there. 
Lisa

Thanks Lisa!
k.

Karen, this whole process is such an emotional one and you have handled yourself (at least publicly) so well so far.  We all run into these things and you have so many other things going on in your life right now that it would be difficult not to have some emotional roughness.  

You are doing fantastic and have already been a tremendous inspiration to me, as well as many others on this board.

You will get through this.  Just keep coming to your favorite support folks for help!  We are here for you!  

Thanks, Lisa... I know I wouldn't be half as healthy (mentally OR physically) without you guys!

k.

Sorry that there are some bumps in the road, it's never easy when we slam into one.  I am reading a wonderful book called Life is Hard/Food is Easy and I can't even begin to say how much it's helping me understand me and my eating patterns.  I have heard here and lots of other places about the "head hunger" and KNOW what a killer it can be - to my willpower and my intentions for the day.  The author actually categorizes the food you want to eat into Head Hunger and Heart Hunger.  An incredible distinction.  And checklists for figuring out which and what might be causing it.  The author is Linda Spangle, RN, MA and she is really fabulous.  A few things are too foofy (not practical enough) but the categorization is amazing.  In fact, I did the lists up in excel and word and printed ten copies.  I am carrying them everywhere and will use them BEFORE I put a food item in my mouth.  I'm excited to become more aware of the giant icebergs beneath my murky surface........if you're interested I'd be happy to email them to you, just PM your email address.  Hang in there, it's up and down for you right now but trust me, it really does get a WHOLE lot better.

k