Eating Comforts me.
What have you replaced for food, that you have used for years as a psychotropic drug and coping mechanism. I eat so much when I am upset or have a hard time coming to grips with a problem in my life which seems to have no current or acceptable solution. My rational brain doesnt want to turn to people to share or get things off of my chest because I dont want to look weak or out of control. So I eat too much and feel bloated by strangely satisfied and numb. If I go with wls or even drop the weight without it, I know I'll have to replace food with more constructive and healthy outlets. What works for you?
Martin
Martin
Martin,
Some increase their faith in a "higher power" to use the PC terminology. Some become compulsive exercisers. Others concentrate on their work or hobbies of hunting and fishing. Unfortunately some develop a negative transfer addiction such as drinking, gambling or excessive amounts of sex. Like there is such a thing?!
Some increase their faith in a "higher power" to use the PC terminology. Some become compulsive exercisers. Others concentrate on their work or hobbies of hunting and fishing. Unfortunately some develop a negative transfer addiction such as drinking, gambling or excessive amounts of sex. Like there is such a thing?!
Never, and I mean NEVER, trust a fart!! 
Nighthawk,
You are down near Conover, NC yes?? I lived just west of you in Hickory. Some of the best years of my life.
Back to the orginal post. I went to exercising and solo biking. I'am not working and have way to much free time. I have income coming in and I maybe considered semi-retired but I miss the action of working with the guys. So I have to fill out my days and biking ,Golds gym are the answer. I look at food as more of a necessity. Hell, tuna fish for breakfast, shrimp for diner go figure, and if I'am not careful I'll throw in some King Oscars along the way.
Good luck
You are down near Conover, NC yes?? I lived just west of you in Hickory. Some of the best years of my life.
Back to the orginal post. I went to exercising and solo biking. I'am not working and have way to much free time. I have income coming in and I maybe considered semi-retired but I miss the action of working with the guys. So I have to fill out my days and biking ,Golds gym are the answer. I look at food as more of a necessity. Hell, tuna fish for breakfast, shrimp for diner go figure, and if I'am not careful I'll throw in some King Oscars along the way.
Good luck
Yes , I am south of Conover on Lake Norman.
I spend a lot of time at the YMCA and more that I found out my insurance company will pay for it. I am disabled due to a stroke(thanks to diabetes) 8 years ago so I have a lot of time as well.
I have found watermelon is a great fruit for me and doesn't raise my sugar much at all now. I always assumed it was bad.
Amazing how your tastes as far as food change. I now consider salads a great meal and before Not!
My hardest things are making myself eat breakfast and getting enough protein. Breakfast used tio be my favorite meal.
BUt at least i have dropped 10 sizes in pants and down from 4 xl in shirt to 1 xl. That has gotten expensive.
I spend a lot of time at the YMCA and more that I found out my insurance company will pay for it. I am disabled due to a stroke(thanks to diabetes) 8 years ago so I have a lot of time as well.
I have found watermelon is a great fruit for me and doesn't raise my sugar much at all now. I always assumed it was bad.
Amazing how your tastes as far as food change. I now consider salads a great meal and before Not!
My hardest things are making myself eat breakfast and getting enough protein. Breakfast used tio be my favorite meal.
BUt at least i have dropped 10 sizes in pants and down from 4 xl in shirt to 1 xl. That has gotten expensive.
The most obvious answer is for you to get some psychological counseling. One of the most popular is talk therapy which usually is cognitive therapy. You can accomplish a lot in a short time. If you see a skilled therapist, you can probably develop coping strategies. Most insurance companies will pay part of the cost. I have a co-pay with my HMO where I pay the same as I would for any apecialist. Unless you have an actual mental illness, there is no need for seeing a psychiatrist. Years ago, the counselor were almost all psychologists. Now, MSW s provide most of the directive therapy.
However, if you have a food addiction, you will have to deal with that. You can have a food addiction that is related to a coping mechanism. But, stopping eating addictive foods is difficult. If this is your problem, I suggest the following 2 books: 1 FOOD ADDICTION--THE BODY KNOWS by Kay Sheppard and 2 THE BECK'S DIET SOLUTION by Dr Judith Beck. The first book deals with the physical addictive properties of food whereas the second book provides strategies for staying on a nutritional diet. The chief strategy is the use of cognitive therapy.
Even with both books, you may have difficulty. You've developed bed eating habits over the course of a lifetime. If you are not a food addict, you may be able to break those habits during the initial weeks following your WLS. You won't be physically able to eat like you did prior to your surgery. Having an RNY may help you restrict your eating.
However, if you have a food addiction, you will have to deal with that. You can have a food addiction that is related to a coping mechanism. But, stopping eating addictive foods is difficult. If this is your problem, I suggest the following 2 books: 1 FOOD ADDICTION--THE BODY KNOWS by Kay Sheppard and 2 THE BECK'S DIET SOLUTION by Dr Judith Beck. The first book deals with the physical addictive properties of food whereas the second book provides strategies for staying on a nutritional diet. The chief strategy is the use of cognitive therapy.
Even with both books, you may have difficulty. You've developed bed eating habits over the course of a lifetime. If you are not a food addict, you may be able to break those habits during the initial weeks following your WLS. You won't be physically able to eat like you did prior to your surgery. Having an RNY may help you restrict your eating.
I'll be honest with you - this will kick your a** if you don't get it in check as part of the WLS process. I think the psychological issues are the least talked about issues, and have the potential to undermine all that you do to lose weight. Get therapy, get good healthy habits, excercise, but mostly don't ignore that it is an issue.
Personally, I walk. When I feel stress coming on, I take a 10-15 minute walk. If that doesn't do it - i take another walk. If I feel like i am going to fall off the wagon - I eat healthy things. It's usually because I lack something in my diet. I eat a bananna, nuts, soy chips, or fiber enriched crackers. Sometimes I need to go back a second time to feel satisfied. BUT - that is a slippery slope!
Good for you for asking that question! You are doing your homework and will be well informed when your decision comes.
Personally, I walk. When I feel stress coming on, I take a 10-15 minute walk. If that doesn't do it - i take another walk. If I feel like i am going to fall off the wagon - I eat healthy things. It's usually because I lack something in my diet. I eat a bananna, nuts, soy chips, or fiber enriched crackers. Sometimes I need to go back a second time to feel satisfied. BUT - that is a slippery slope!
Good for you for asking that question! You are doing your homework and will be well informed when your decision comes.
It has kicked my a** since I was a fat kid. I have felt the talk therapy in the past just pointed me back to things I already knew and didnt provide me with or suggest healthy options to meet the needs I had met with food, For me WLS or not I have to break through this barrier to reach my goal of a healthier life. Thanks Larry it seems like you understand what I am struggling with. For the most part it isnt that I dont intellectually know the right answers, but instead emotionally resist letting go of what has served me for so long. this maybe where the 12 step programs refer to the power beyond myself to (with my application of the appropriate footwoork) allow me to let go of the cumpulsion to fix things with food. Thanks again for taking the time to reply with your insight. I feel much better as a result of posting my questions,
Martin
Martin
I'd say if you are already thinking that way, you should seek out a mental health professional. Transfer addictions seem to happen more often to WLS patients then non WLS patients (although interesting enough DSers tend not to have this issue as often because we can eat more).
But sometimes weight is just a symptom of a bigger emotional issue, and getting help for it before it turns into something else (i.e. drug abuse, shoping addicitons etc) is a good idea.
Lots of men turn to exercise to work off additional stress and such.
Scott
But sometimes weight is just a symptom of a bigger emotional issue, and getting help for it before it turns into something else (i.e. drug abuse, shoping addicitons etc) is a good idea.
Lots of men turn to exercise to work off additional stress and such.
Scott
Most Active
Recent Topics
