Feeling really low... but haven't reached for the ice cream (yet)

(((Lora))) just seeing this, I hope you are feeling better this morning.  Take it one hour, one minute at a time. 

 Lora, I'm so sorry you're having a bad time this week. When it rains, it pours, right? On your therapist retiring, it may help to think of it not as an ending of an important relationship but she's gently passing you on for a new stage in your healing. As hard as it is to retell your story, think of the progress you've made in those 7 years and how different telling it now than when it was back then. Take care of yourself!!!!
- Nicole

 (((( LORA))) (((HUGS)))
Hope you feel better soon.

Catching up on OH as I was at post op plastic surgery appt (3 1/2 away from home) & then endocrinologist appt on way homeb yesterday.

The abdominoplasty and brachioplasty as well as recent RH episodes have put me in a "crisis" mode that is the first real BIG issues since RNY.

Even though I've made good choices, lifestyle changes, etc. I found myself in pain, vulnerable, incapable of caring dependently for myself - and I had a few moments of wanting that "old comfort" that had got me through so much before in my morbidly obese life - sweets and carbs.

I kept the positive self talk going - my body needed protein to heal, I needed hydration, I need rest.  My "wanting" old comfort foods would  not help the RH, the pain, my recuperation, lack of independence, etc.

I decided to start re-reading The Beck Diet Solution, listened to sermon podcasts on my iPod, watched Jane Austin & Miss Marple DVD's, and knitting shawls that will wrap me in warmth and comfort, etc.

I did make some greek yogurt with SF cheesecake dry pudding mix - topped with No Sugar Added cherry pie filling and topped with Lite Whipped cream.  I added a scoop of whey isolate vanilla protein powder and ate it for dinner.  That was my fix - a choice - a good protein choice that did NOT awaken that "carb monster" that was trying to resurface.

I also began my daily food log - after being in hospital and too much pain for a few days.  I knew it would help me be accountable.

My issues are not as serious as yours, but I'm afraid I sometimes "come off" as too under control - and I am vulnerable to the unexpected crisis as anyone else is.

Wishing you the best Lora - take care of yourself.  I'm thinking of you.

It sounds like you have a really good sense of what comforts you (other than food).  There are things that I normally find comforting that, for one reason or another, have not been very comforting this week (too hot for a bubble bath!, too restless to read or just listen to music, etc.)   The movie last night helped (well, it was sufficiently distracting once the baseball game was over, anyway).

It IS nice to know that others who are several years out and have been successful at maintaining the weight loss are also vulnerable to the old demons (I think we are ALL vulnerable to the "carb monster"!)... at least I know that there are others who ARE making good daily choices (as I do, for the most part, anyway) who get thrown off kilter by life stressors... and that NONE of us is powerless over the food (as we once seemed to be), even when under stress... we have what we have learned since surgery to help us out... and our friends for support!

Here's to (hopefully) another ice-cream-free evening...

Lora