how do you stop snacking?

I noticed a trend/issue in the past month or two.. it's kind of on and off, but I noticed that sometimes I am almost obsessively snacking ALL DAY. I don't know what to make of it.

I was never really much of a snacker before... but starting sometime in late March or early April, I noticed that when I'm at home- I tend to snack. A LOT. Like, I'll have dinner... and sometimes I'll fill up more than I know I have to, and then maybe an hour or two later I'll snack. And then snack again... I don't know what's going on with me.

And the past few days I noticed I started doing this at work also. I started craving snacks, so I bought candy (I know I shouldn't). And yesterday I had 1/2 a bagel (even though really that's too much food for me), and then 1/2 a quesadilla for lunch... and then half an hour later, a bit more, and then I ate a cupcake and then some gum and other candy throughout the work day.

I don't know what's going on with me! It's like- every time I'm eating lately, I make it a point to REALLY fill up. I know that there is a point where I'm full and I'm fine.. but if there's a bit more left on my plate, I'll wait half an hour and then finish that, and then I'll keep snacking throughout the day. And all the while I am totally recognizing that the feeling in my stomach is saying "YOU ARE FULL". I never get to the point of throwing up (like I used to when I was first getting used to the smaller stomach), but still... I am definitely "filling" myself up way more than necessary. I feel like I'm compulsively overeating, even though my stomach is so small. What do I do?!

Daily continual snacking was the story of my life.  Currently I am abstinate from my addicting foods and don't compulsively snack.  I have 2 suggestions.  Get Kay Sheppard's book, Food Addiction--the Body knows.  If you are a food addict, it will help a lot.  But, most importatntly, get Dr Judith Beck's book, The Beck Diet Solution.  I suggest getting in the sofcover workbook form but do your writtenexercises in a personal notebook or on a computer or other device.

The Beck's diet solution provides over 40 strategies for successful dieting.  Her favorites have to do with the thought process when you are tempted to eat.  I remember when I first got the book that I would have labeled myself as an automatic eater--both impulsively and compulsively.  I felt that if I saw a desireable food, I would be eating it before I ever thought about it.  She taught me that I was wrong.  There is plenty of time between the time that I notice addictive food and the time I used to eat it.  She teaches how to think in those situations!  Wow!  it was like someone turned on a light in my brain.

Despite all of the techniques I learned from these women, I also need to say the Serenity Prayer daily, and admit my powerlessness over my addictive foods.  I know that my higher power whom I call God can restore my sanity and give me anstinence.  And, I turn my life and my will over to God on a daily basis.  I just practice these 1st 3 steps of a 12 step program.  I personally can't work the rest of tthe steps.  They were developed as part of a monastic rule and I can unerstand the need for the 12 steps under those cir****tances.  The total package just doesn't work for me.

I am having the same exact problem as you are Irena!!! I was also looking at your stats and they are very similar to mine.. I started at 221 went down to 125 then had a baby and have been holding at 135 would like to get back to the 120's.. Anyways I cant stop eating eventhough i am telling myself while I am doing that I should not be I still continue to do it. I am really thinking of starting over and going back to the liquid diet it for a while.. I am so afraid i have stretched my pouch out that i have ruined it.. I wish you luck and will continue to watch and see if there is any good advice posted..