Bad Habits Resurface

Oh, Jeanine, I so totally understand where you are coming from.  Bypass surgery just makes it impossible for us to eat in quantities like we used to, but it does nothing to fix the emotional and psychological issues that go along with food addiction.  It wasn't until I had really detoxed from such heavy carbohydrate usage that I began to understand how much it affected my life.  One sugar binge led to another, which led to another.  It was an evil, self-perpetuating cycle that led me to weighing 400+ pounds.   When people asked why I didn't have this surgery sooner, I tell them it's because I wasn't emotionally and psychologically ready, and that I knew I could only be successful if I was fully ready to do the work that was required to change.  I knew myself well enough to know that I had to be committed to working through the things that had caused me to become SMO.  And I was committed and remain committed to doing just that.   So I commend you for recognizing what's going on with yourself in terms of old habits creeping back in; that's the first step to changing your behavior.  Keep telling us what's going on - I think it helps us all to share... {{{{{hugs}}}}} Kellie

That's so very true, Kellie.  Sharing is so vital to help us all understand what's happening with not only our bodies, but our heads too. Hey...it beats paying $125/hr to a shrink! LOL  Yes I am recognizing my slips, now all I need is the ongoing courage to NOT buy it, NOT eat it and NOT want it.  And THAT, my friends is the biggest challenge of all!   HUGS   Jeanine

I understand exactly what you mean. I don't trust myself. For DS'ers to be successful coming from the SSMO weight you have to stay far away from carbs. I keep mine to between 20-30 a day by only eating those that show up in my protein like scallops etc or in my supplements. I won't even eat a supplement bar because of their high carb counts.I do now allow some vegetables but they need to be way low in carbs like broccoli. I am too afraid of not being able to control myself if I start eating carbs again like prior to wls. I figure I will lose the bulk of my weight and then while using fit day allow the complex carbs to come back into my life. But I don't trust myself at all right now.

Makes total sense!  Thank you so much for your input. Us newbies rely on those of you who have had more experience to guide us along through this journey as I too will help others one day. You're the best!  Thanks from the heart...Jeanine

Ok here is my take on wheat thins - they make me believe in the devil.  Crackers in general are just evil!!  But wheat thins also have high fructose corn syrup, which I am trying to avoid.  My husband was buying wheat thins and cheese throughout month three for me and it was sooo hard to not eat them!  The most annoying thing is that those carby foods settle so much better for a lot of people, me included.  I have let the carbs creep up, especially as I've tried to get in a lot more fiber, and now I'm trying to bring them down a little bit before it gets out of hand. 

OMG...I never noticed about the high fructose corn syrup!  Maybe because they don't taste sweet. Can you say denial? LOL  I know I just have to stay away from that stuff. I have always craved the salty crunchy stuff while I could care less about desserts and sweets. We are struggle, don't we??  Learning is the key...thanks for the eye opener!  I need to be more aware of product labels!  HUGS  Jeanine

If anyone is interested, reading about insulin resistance and the glycemic index will help you understand the relationship between craving complex carbs, compulsive eating and weight gain. All of us who are/were SMO have this issue, and staying away from these foods is vital. I agree with Kelly, detoxing works, but you have to remain vigilant or you will start to regain and binge and need to do it again. It's the same as for alcoholics or drug addicts. Some people find OA helpful, I didn't. If you go, you don't need to tell them you had WLS. Another alternative is Alanon. Same emotional help, different weapon of choice. JoTeddie, I agree with you about the carb avoidance except I use the glycemic index more, and can eat more veggies and fruits. I will never go back to the higher carbs, though. They are triggers for me, always, and I can't go there every again. -Julie

Great idea....thanks.  I'll do somre research.  HUGS  Jeanine

Jeanine,  I so love this post. I know what you mean about finding out you can suddenly eat something and then start eating more and more of it! Cheetos are the Devils handiwork I do believe. I've made myself sick on them a few times, eating too many too fast, but that hasn't stopped me. I now only "Allow" myself to buy them no more than once a month and always the smallest sized bag. I usually will eat some and throw the rest down the sink so I don't finish the entire bag. I've been blessed with a pouch that doesn't tolerate carbs very well. The majority of my carbs come from fruits and veggies. If I eat bread or crackers it's usually the last few bites of my meal. My husband and I were talking the other night, it's so strange now to look in the cupboards. Once we had the house all our friends kids loved coming too, the cupboards were filled with all sorts of yummy really bad for you treats. Now it's 99.9% healthy things. I do the shopping and except for the occasional requests from hubby, I have nothing but healthy foods in the house. I find this helps keep me in line, and it's helping my hubby in the long run too. HE totally understands. I am and always will be a food addict. My addiction is something I deal with on a daily basis. The difference for me now is that I work at making recipes healthy without others being able to taste the change. I figure I cooked and baked for other so long that I helped some of them become as unhealthy as I was, now it's time for change! If I've done nothing else in these last 18 months, I'm happy that I've started craving healthy foods like Greek Yogurt or cottage cheese instead of chocolate donuts for snacks.

OMG...I just noticed that you are only 7 pounds from goal!!   I am so happy for you!!  I see it happen with others like yourself and it gives me hope and courage to stay on the right path. You must be sooooo excited!  I'm glad you liked my last post. They say it helps to write feelings down, but on this board, it does more than help...its a lifeline!  Knowing that every person out there reading what you write can relate to your pain, your successes and slips too....is such a comfort.  I used to adore the crunchy Cheetos.....so I bought the Jax so they'd be easier on the tummy.  See how conniving a food addict can be???  LOL  This week I am saying goodbye to the Jax and Wheat Thins.  Next I'll work on the Cheddar & Sour Cream Baked Lays I bought for New Years....Darn those kids...why didn't they eat em all??  LOL  I can relate to the new cupboards.  As a mother, I harbor alot of guilt in raising my 4 daughters. The example I set was food is the almighty empowerment. Exercise? No way! Lets watch a movie and munch on Twinkies instead. Now, ALL of my girls are overweight, except Karyn who had her RNY 2 yrs ago.  The other three are between 200-250 lbs.  I pray they won't wait until they are 55 to learn that diets don't work for long.  HUGS to all.  Jeanine