Help I'm a food addict---LONG POST

Nicole, I was hoping you would jump in.  I was actually going to email you separately.  Do you have any references for professionals in the Allentown area? I found a list of people on my insurance website and I guess I'll have to interview them individually.  Do you have suggestions of questions I can ask besides if they have dealt with food addictions and WLS?

Thanks!

Email me and I will see what I can do.

Lisa, I agree that "Anatomy of a Food Addiction" gives a great overview of WHY trigger foods do the things they do to us. I too am a food addict, and can trace this back to my childhood. This book really has given me the strength to say "I do not eat sugar or refined carbs." I see how these foods are just like a "first drink" to an alcoholic. Can't go there, and it's not because of dumping.

I wanted to mention something about the protein bars. I don't use them often - some seem to be a lot of calories (relatively speaking) for the amount of protein that you get out of them. My dr. is not a fan of the bars as a protein source once you can use real food. And there aren't many that I really enjoy.

But what I've found is this. Protein bars mimic candy bars. They are like a wolf in sheep's clothing in that way. The feel of a protein bar (the package, the size, the texture) is way, way too close the feel of a candy bar. I can swing into a CVS and get one to eat in the car, just like I used to get candy bars.

And that  is a trigger for me too.

Example: at the last Barix Saturday meeting (the one where I met you), I bought a Rock and Roll bar. Took one bite and really didn't like the undertaste I got. Read the label and saw that the calorie count was pretty high. The NUT had mentioned that of all the protein bar choices, Rock and Roll is the highest in fat. Well...for a moment I thought, "Well that's all ok - I don't even like this one."

But I ate half of it anyway. And the other half on the way home (several hours later - I have a long drive and it was snowing - remember?)

So I consumed those calories and fat, even though I ddin't like the taste of the bar. And when I logged my daily foods, Sparkpeople told me that this was my highest calorie day in a very long time,and that my fat intake was over my target by a good stretch.

Just sharing that thought - I too have found that the "good" of a protein bar isn't so good after all.

Lisa, hang in there. I am glad you are pursuing some support people - I know a psychologist in Pottstown who does a lot of bariatric work, if that's not too far to drive for you.

So...
log everything
keep getting support
keep your body moving - don't spend an ounce of energy talking yourself out of going to the gym
come to support group as often as possible
read the book

And don't give up!

I am definitely having the same feelings about the protein bars.. they are like candy bars.. and I DO like a lot of them, so that is even worse.  

Also, I had the same issue with eating things that didn't necessarily taste good just to eat them... like the peanut butter.  Wegman's peanut butter has the same nutritional value as Simply Jif, so I was buying that.  That tastes soooo good to me.  Simply Jif tastes good in shakes or in ricotta, but not as good eaten off a spoon, yet I continue to go in the jar with a spoon.  It doesn't matter that it doesn't taste that great...I eat it anyway.

Why do we do these things????

Pottstown is a bit of a hike for me to do during the week, especially since I have my daughter.  But, thanks for the offer.

I need to get better about logging.. I don't do it
I am here every day.. you all are my main support and I am going to try to get to Barix on 1/2, as well.

Gym gym gym gym gym... convincing myself.. gym gym gym.. not really sure what the issue is there, because I like going, I like the result, and I know I always feel better when I leave there.. gym gym gym gym gym


THANKS!

Lisa

Believe me when I say you are so not alone with this.   The addiction to food continues to be a daily struggle.  As I've experimented with more and more foods without terrible consequences as far as dumping is concerned, I am very frightened that the weight will creep back on.  There are days when I feel that I don't even have a small pouch but instead a normal size stomach.  There are times when I keep experimenting with what and how much I can eat.  Yes, an addict I am and must battle this on a daily basis.  I've been getting hypoglycemic attacks pretty often.

Thank you for this post.  I am going to start reading my copy of the Food Addict book.  

We can all work on this together.  Sharing these feelings is a positive step.  It not only can help you but can help all of us who struggle constantly.

Arlene 

There have been more days than not lately that I feel that I have a normal size stomach.  I am hoping that by doing this pouch test of sorts that I can retrain it and my brain back to newly preop.

what a struggle.. I still can't believe that some people think this is the easy way out.  I have made sure to let others who have not had WLS know how I am struggling right now, so they know that it is not easy by any means. 

Lisa,

I want to tell you that you look FANTASTIC!!!!  You've come a long way.  Your determination will prevail.  (((HUGS)))

Debbie

Hugs! I have no advice as I am in the same shoes as you. But know you are not alone!

Thanks!! Just knowing I have the support of all of you is a big help!

Lisa I'm adding to the hug list. 

I have not gotten to your point post WLS but I remember those conversation pre WLS.  I was always down about what I put in my mouth when I knew I should not. This is a mountain that most of us have to climb and I'm not sure if its one that can be gotten over.  maybe that also is the answer that there will always be that mountain and that together we can keep walking up it!!!

 

Sandra