NOT HUNGRY?

this baord doesn't seem very active, but i thought i'd give it a try anyways. i am almost 15 months post-op, down to 110 lbs. my surgeon and pcp think i am losing too much and would like to even see me gain 5-10 lbs. my original goal was 120lbs. the problem i am having is i am never hungry. i could probably go the entire day without eating. i don't, but come pretty close to it. most days i eat maybe one meal a day. and when i do eat, it is like a chore for me. i think to myself, geez its 4:00, i better eat SOMETHING. similar to the way i feel when i think, geez i have to do another load of laundry! i know i need to eat more, i know i need more protein, etc.... but i just don't know how to MAKE myself do it. anyone else out there struggle with this? the other thing that bothers me, is i wonder if i have an underlying eating disorder. i don't feel like i want to lose more weight, i don't think i am fat (although i do hate the tummy flab thats left!). so can someone have an eating disorder without having those feelings? i am surprised there isn't a board on here related to eating disorders, i mean look where we all came from! any input or similar experiences? hugs~mary jo

Hey Mary Jo, Wow, I know it sounds awful to say, but I kind of wish I had your problem! Not to minimize your concerns at all, but I am the type that IS always hungry. I know I want to constantly snack, so I have to keep a journal and limit myself to 3 meals a day. That way I won't overdue it. It might benefit you to do just the opposite, force yourself to eat 3 meals a day. You could have a protein shake of some kind for breakfast, something easy for lunch like some lunch meat with cheese rolled up or maybe some tuna salad, and then plan a nice dinner. I have a family, so I always have to cook 3 meals a day, plus they snack 2-3 times a day. I am not working yet and when I am busy at home by myself I may forget to eat at my regular time, but my tummy always lets me know when I am hungry (pain and nausea) and my head hunger is always at work. I am not sure about the eating disorder as far as a clinically diagnosing it, but anytime you have an issue with food it's a disorder. You have to eat to fuel your body, but I think it's a blessing in disguise that you don't have cravings or constant hunger. I would just stock up on protein bars and shakes for and set an alarm to remind me to eat halfway through the day. Eat as soon as you get up, then halfway through, then when it gets dark. Just keep in mind that it doesn't have to be a big "meal". You're just eating to fuel your body so it can be something simple and quick. Congratulations on your weight loss and good luck! Angela

thanks angela. i can sympathize with your issue also, as i think of it just the same as mine, just the other end of the spectrum. i know it is just as much of a struggle. money is a big issue for me. i am a single mom of 3 and currently unemployed, so doing some good shopping has not really been an option. the kids tend to eat a lot of cheap foods (full of carbs!) and i try to avoid. maybe i have just gotten used to eating once a day. i will maybe pick up some pre-made shakes and try to add those in. i was never a big fan of protein drinks, but i do have the nectar lemon tea. maybe i can try that again, too. thanks for the ideas and i wish you lots of luck!

I can understand needing to budget your food purchases. Those shakes and bars can really add up, but canned tuna and chicken on the bone are both inexpensive and great sources of protein. Can you tolerate eggs? If so, I would boil a few eggs to keep in the refridgerator and cook some extra chicken to save for when you need to eat. You could have hot dogs and lunch meat too. I like that type of stuff because it's not too expensive, not to difficult to get when I am hungry, and I can share it with my kids. Plus, it doesn't go bad very quickly. I try to keep more deli meats and cheeses in the house than crackers, chips, and snacks like that because I'll snack on those if I have them. Don't forget beans too, if you like them. You could make chili or buy the canned kind. Just some ideas. Best wishes. Angela

thanks so much! when i was working, almost everday i got a scoop of tuna on shredded lettuce with jalepenos and shredded cheddar. i haven't had it once since i lost my job. sounds yummy actually right now! LOL the tuna, eggs, chicken, canned chili....great ideas that i can make up just for me. i know that stuff won't cost me much and i can make it last! hugssssssss