I feel like I'm losing control a little bit...

Yep. OA. That's a very powerful tool. Maybe more powerful then our sleeve

Hi Stacy, 

Here's something my life coach taught me that I never knew. Maybe you already know this but it was new information for me so I thought I'd share. 

There are 4 types of eating

1. Fuel = 90% of your eating should be for fuel and hopefully most of it is enjoyable too.

2. Fog = 0%- When you eat without realizing or enjoying. For example, a tub of popcorn during a movie.

3. Storm = 0% -When you plan to make a dish and you give yourself permission to eat as much as you want.

4. Joy = 10% of your eating can be pure enjoyment, love, or indulgence. That's 10% of your calories for the day or the week. You can save it up.

I wish I had known this information 5 years years ago! It was a light bulb moment for me and also totally doable! Maybe if you plan your 10% each day you won't feel like you are loosing control. Also, when you want to enjoy a fun and indulgent dinner out you can plan ahead and save up each day's 10% for that big dinner out.

Good luck! I hope this helps.

Shannon

This is helpful!  Thank you :)

I find that my fuel and joy overlap b/c everything I eat pretty much I enjoy.  But I guess that extra stuff that isn't fueling me I should just save up.  Then not feel guilty about it.

From your comments, you have not addressed your food addiction. You say you are planning to go to a restaurant soon and you want to enjoy it.

One of the indicators of an addiction is that the substance or behavior activates your endorphins and makes you "feel good". 

You are already figuring in "cheat" days (the dinner on 5/6 and the restaurant trip). WHY?

Food is controlling your behavior. You are not controlling the food!

I know how hard this is. Food is tied to every life event(especially in the south)...holidays, weddings, funerals, birthdays, Mothers Day, Fathers Day, etc. We have been programmed that during emotional events we eat, to make us feel better.

I know I have a food addiction. I know I have to be committed to my new lifestyle. There is no going back. There are NO "cheat days". None, never. It is too dangerous.

It is like take an alcoholic to a bar and buying them a beer, "just this one time". 

The dinner on 5/6....prepare healthy foods! No bread, nothing fried. Maybe salmon or yellow fin tuna with a fruit sals. Quinoa as a side. Humus dip with fresh vegetables (carrots, cucumbers, celery, etc.).

My advice is work on the mental. VSG is a tool. You can regain the weight. Make a commitment to control food.

I am going out to a nice dinner with a good friend.  She lives 2000+ miles away from me.  I want to live a normal life where I can socialize with friends.  Food is not controlling this decision, but my desire to socialize with my friend is.  In saying I want to enjoy myself, means I do not want to stress out b/c there could be some non perfect food in the meal.  I do not think that I implied that I would be bingeing on this meal.  But it likely will not fit into my standard 150-200 calorie per meal plan.  

So no, I am not planning a binge, I am planning a time to relax and enjoy friendship, over food.  

I appreciate your concern, but think you may have read my post wrong.  

I also have a different perspective on food addiction than you.  I'm glad your "perfection" forever works for you.  It does not work for me.  I have done it in the past and it has just led be off the edge again.  I need to find a balance.  Food is different than alcohol -- I have to eat it all the time, and I enjoy even healthy food, so there isn't abstinence -- it is about balance.