I am capable of eating much more than I actually do eat...

I hope this serves as encouragement to folks who fear failure and inspires you all to DO THE DAMN HEAD WORK.

Yep, I am CAPABLE of eating a lot more than I actually do. I know this because I have, from time to time. I call it "bariatric adolescence" and theorize it happens around year two. You know you can eat more but you're not sure if you are still a post-op, have "gone normal" or what. So you test. Or at least some of us do.

And I've tested. And I know, every single day, how much I am capable of eating. That's NOT what I CHOOSE to eat 99% of the time. You know why?

Because my stomach (or pouch) isn't in control. I am. I drive the ship. I make the decisions. When I get into the place where I start thinking I should mindlessly nosh I ask myself why. When I zone out while eating I snap myself out of it.

Eating as much as I am capable of eating won't get me anywhere good. Eating as much as I am capable of eating could mess up my tool. Eating as much as I am capable of eating is NOT what I signed for. I signed up to resolve some of these food issues so that I could feed my body what it needs and then just chill the eff out.

So while I CAN eat a great deal (way more than most of you), I don't. Because I don't want to. THAT is what is possible if you do the head work. So do it!!!

 

The corrolary to "I can eat more than I do eat" is, of course, "Just because I can eat it doesn't mean I choose to eat it".  Again, it is about you being in control and choosing to exercise that control.

Lora

wonderful post!

...but please don't take that to mean I only eat a little bit. Your girl Nik can still throw down. But I only eat a fraction of what I COULD eat and I tend to know exactly how many calories I put into my body each day AND how much I burn. I don't always use this information wisely but I do usually know it at least.

I Want to sincerely thank you for this post.  I am at a 3 month stall and if I am going to break it I need to take responsibility.  I am going to start measuring to make sure I'm not over eating.  I don't have a full feeling, just a "Gosh I ate too much" feeling.  You have encouraged me to use my mind over my feelings.  Thanks again!

I'm actually looking forward to when I can eat a normal meal. Not mini meal like now, or massive meal like before, but normal healthy.

as i mixed my 1/4 cup of tuna today with a little ff mayo, and actually read the stats of it, I said to myself 'this really is all a normal person needs for protein at a meal. I'll just eventually fill it out with some vegs and what not.

it's teaching me a LOT about what a true portion can be.

Today, I don't ever want to eat "normal" again.

You rocked my world! I needed to hear that today. I feel like I got my a$$ kicked(in a good way). Thank you for sharing.

 I am just 7 months out and I am having this debate in my head EVERY DAY! I had been struggling with my choices but I have been making the right choices as of late. I am taking to heart your statement about me being in control and not my pouch! I control what goes in my body and I plan to make the right choices! I am totally inspired! Thank you Nik!

See... this is actually one of my biggest fears. If I had no control for the past 25yrs, I just can't have faith in myself for the next 25. I am in counseling and also scheduling with the bariatric psych doc.... but I totally hoped and prayed for the negative consequences with RNY. Now I have to count on myself for them, and I just have never been in that territory.