Out of control

I am failing myself with this sugar addiction and eating disorder. I am trying to get back on track but depression has a way of tearing you down. I am waiting till January so I can see my doctor as i will have insurance. I also will go to counseling around that time. I know people recommended doing a sliding scale counselor but i cannot afford it at the time. Arizona is pretty unfriendly to the poor.

Sugar is a really hard one to beat and sounds like you have several issues going on at one time. Sigh, never easy is it. Try reaching out to the members of the surgery type you are considering. You can find the different forums by clicking Forums in the upper left corner.

It helps me to take it one challenge at a time. Maybe try backing off sugar, a little at a time. Replacing it with some low sugar options. Do you have access to a free support group in your area? Try writing everything down and what you are feeling when you are looking for that sugar fix? It's not all in your mind, our bodies do crave it and it's hard. Again, make a list of goals and tackle them one at a time.

We are here for you

Regards,

Kathy

Member Services

Thanks for the advice. I already had my surgery and old habits along with some new ones are appearing. I havent gain any weight back but I also haven't lost any weight since August so my depression has really amped up.

I didn't realize you already had surgery. Let me share with you some back to basics I used to drop some regain. It worked for me.... don't look back unless you are headed there

Planning/Preparing

Remember when we were preparing for surgery? How many meetings, classes and such did we attend? We were told the more prepared we were the better our chances were for success. And they were right. Go through the house, car and work place and get rid of trigger foods. Stock up on foods that will keep you on track. I removed every bad carb/sugar temptation and replaced it with lots of protein, veggies, grains and fruits.

Journaling

Get back to journaling. This will help you identify when you feel like eating, stress factors and any triggers in your life. Once you identify these factors, this will help you put tools in place to keep you from eating. It became clear I was not taking time for me anymore. I worked my day job and then spent the rest of my time caring for my husband. It was easy to reach for fast, prepackaged food. Since I purged my home I have to eat clean as there are no other options LOL

Use a tool to track you're eating and exercise like Getting Started with Health Tracker. Once I started to track ever bite and drink it became clear why I had gained.

Goals/Rewards

Make a list of goals for yourself. Make them realistic and small. Some of mine were move more, purge all junk from my home, eat more protein.

Food

In general, a long term post-weight loss surgery eating plan includes foods that are high in protein, and low in fat?, calories, and sugar. Important, vitamins and minerals are provided as supplements. (if you had a different surgery adjust this to your food plan).

Water

Water is our Best Friend. I have to say I never went back to pop or any bad drinks, however I was drinking tea like crazy. What is wrong with drinking tea? I was either using sugar or 3 equals and 3 sweet n lows per 32 ounce glass. So I was either pushing to be diabetic or get cancer. I found once I started carrying a bottle of water around 24/7 (yes had one at my bedside) I lost the cravings for the sugar and I KNOW those artificial sweeteners are not good for me. Look I am old and if you add up all the artificial sweeteners I have consumed I am sure I am at the rat in the lab getting cancer threshold.

MOVE!

I can't say enough about how key this was for me. The reason I kept my weight off for almost 10 years was no matter what, I kept moving. If I could not go to the gym I would walk. I loved Zumba, bootcamp workouts, lifting weights. When I stopped, the weight started coming back. So for me I am starting slow to avoid injury by walking and using some of the workouts on my Demand TV. Find something you love to do and it won't feel like a pain in the *** to do daily.

Support

If it's an option "run" don't walk to a support group.

Keep me posted on how you are doing

I definitely appreciate the advice. Time for me to hit the reset button and do this right. Hopefully I can stay on track this time

Try boosting your B complex with a sublingual... I use 2 cc a day under my tongue, it is cheap(5$) at wal mart../dollar stores in vitamin selection, comes in a dropper bottle. Vitamin B will reduce your cravings. Get out in sunshine, or use a full spectrum light bulb, it will help with moos issues by boosting your melatonin. Do this as soon as you get up, if it is possible. You will notice a change in sleep patterns as well. Find some way you can help others. That will boost your self esteem. Walk in the park, walk around the block..exercise will help with the depression... I know ..been there done that.

You will need a full vitamin/workup when you are able to see the DR. be sure to get your Iron levels/zinc/magnesium/ cck'd..

Any low cost or free clinics where you could go so you could get on an anti-depressant sooner than January? Arizona is far from the only state that is unfriendly to the poor. Sorry it is so hard for you to get the care you need and deserve.

I looked most want a 200 dollar psychological evaluation before they even start treatment. The cutoff for medicaid is 8.05 in my state and I make 8.67

Did you try applying for insurance through the Health Care Marketplace?

I live in AZ ( I have private insurance from my employer ) and my sister who also lives here who makes around 9 dollars an hour was able to obtain totally affordable insurance. She applied through the market place and loves her benefits.

Maybe check into that?

Good luck!

I'm sorry you are struggling. It's good you are fighting back now instead of waiting. The longer you wait, the harder it gets.

I have no idea what might work for you. We all have different working and living arrangements, and different food addictions. The best thing I can do for myself is just not bring anything I shouldn't eat into the house. No chips, no crackers, nothing with sugar. That doesn't cut out all of the bad eating, but it cuts out most of it. That might be your first step. One step at a time.

Depression sucks. Hang in there, and try to talk to us here as often as you can. It helps.