I cant stop munching

Thanks "J"!  like said the scale hasn't begun to move but this summer has been helacious for me  with "life" and I've been attempting to cope with the stresses I think rather than deal with the issues and resolve the stress.

This is what I needed thanks to all of you!

Hi I'm pre-op but also a grazer.  I find that a lot of times when I do graze I'm not even hungry just want something.  I'm trying to be more concious of my behaviors.  I have found that bringing my lunch and not participating in office free for all's has helped some.  I do hope that things get easier,  I think sometimes we forget that life is still life with the same BS after surgery.  And unfortunatly some of us will battle these addictions forever.  I know I have a food addition and have accepted that and only hope to get to a place where it can be controlled . This pre-op process has been a trip so I can only imagine what will happen post-op.  Your success has been great don't beat yourself up.  Just get back on the horse and ride it out.  I wish you much success and happiness as you continue your journey.

I had the same problem...I conquered it by planning my meals and using an online food journal that counts calories, carbs, fat, protein, and fiber. When you look at what you eat in writing, it makes you more accountable for your actions. I do this DAILY. It's a little time-consuming to log everything, but the results are worth it. It really keeps me on track. I lost 13 pounds over the last two weeks by doing this along with exercise. I snack on fruit, protein smoothies, Power Crunch protein bars, Fiber One yogurt, or SF Jello. Trust me, I'm a serious sugar addict. Since I get in 80-120 grams of protein daily, I don't even crave the junk. Load up on your protein!

Please stop grazing!  You have come too far for this. You look great! Keep up the good work. Make time for yourself and find healthier ways to deal with the stress that life brings. Best wishes!

I to can glrze a long  under stress,  I've been stress since the end on JaNUARY.  Hence I had also start to graze. Grazing at night was the worst thing. Thank goodness I finally stop bringing in the wrong foods. Turn it around and started eating better.  First time in months the lbs started moving again I pray a lot and try keeping my mind off the problems at hand.  This is hard to do seeing that my stress is because both parents are ill.  And the other one is in another city, we have our father and he is hard headed, something we would hear when we was children.  Never learn the six meals a day having to learn Dr. diet all over again.  In my Prayer's I well included you and me both and all the other grazer.

I am just a "new" kid on the block (RNY last Wednesday). But from what I know after a lifetime of fighting fat, I would say that you are headed in the wrong direction and need to get back to the therapist's office to get some coping tools. There is always going to be stress in life, and "we" tend to be sensitive and take on other people's stuff as well. That's why there is a need to learn little tricks to play on yourself, or code words to say to yourself that will work for you. A therapist can know how to help you unearth what those modalities would be. You have done so well on your journey. Don't let that little girl inside sabotage your success. Make that appointment baby girl!

I hear (2) main thoughts in all the responses so far...

Plan, Plan, Plan and have healthy snacks.

Both of these will help you combat the munchies. Now that you mention this, I found myself 'nibbling' yesterday afternoon.  I did not think much of it at first. At that moment, I was stressing for a few minutes because I had several tasks that needed to be done. Mindlessly, I reached for something to put in my mouth. Thankfully it was a some low fat crackers. I had portioned them out and had less than 1/2 serving with me. I did not eat them all cause I finally realized I was not hungry and it was not time to eat. I put them away and focus don drinking some water and getting my tasks done.  

Hang in there! You took the first step by admitting the problem. Tackle it now. BAF gave some really good advice!
 

Thanks to everyone for their advice and encouragement. I woke up at  4 AM with stress on the brain and will start going back to my hospitals support groups beginning tomorrow night and will make mroe "frequent" trips to the board.  I have done well and I don't even think  that a problem has surfaced......yet but I want to get it in check before the weight begin to manifest itself.

Have a great day (((hugs)))

I have this problem as well, most days unfortunately. I have taken to keeping a bag of Fiber One cereal in my desk. It's good for you and filling as well.