I am in a very stressful season of my life.  I don't think there is an aspect (husband, kids, mom, etc.) that are not contributing to my stress.  I adore them all, but I am tired.  I'm four months out and have lost 50 pounds.  I have hit a plateau.  I know this will happen.  

Last night was the series premier of Survivor.  It's a tradition my family and I have watched this TV show for the past 15 years.  We also always made frozen pizzas to eat while watching.  Last night I made the pizza for my son and my mom.  I made a ricotta bake pizza thing that was horrible.  I feel deprived.  I'm feeling overwhelmed with everything that is going on with my family.  I know I am blessed to that my kids are so comfortable with me that they share everything - my daughter is 19 and a junior in college and my son is a 14 year old freshman.  It just seems that they're all having problems at once.  

I want to eat carbs.  I want chocolate.  I want to whine (which obviously I'm doing here).  

I am on the brink of giving myself a "treat" at lunch getting fries with my grilled chicken.  How in the world do you work past these things without completely breaking down.  I'm at work, so exercise is not an option.  Who am I kidding, I'm not doing that much exercise outside of work either.  Any words of advice or positive thoughts would so be appreciated!

ETA:  I added this after Juniper's response.  I started seeing a counselor this past week.  

So sorry that you are dealing with so much stress :( It's hard to be everyone's "rock" and expect that it won't affect you, as well...of course it does!

The first thing is to find yourself a good therapist. When you have the right person, it makes a huge difference. Maybe your bariatric center can recommend someone who specializes in weightloss issues.

The second thing I've done to help, is that I am getting much better about using my "crystal ball" to see into the future. I can look at a plate of fries and envision myself crying over the choice I made, the frustration of not seeing the scale move and realize that whatever short-term comfort I am getting now, will be obliterated in an hour, if I make that choice. I am guessing that if you gave in and ate the pizza, you might be here posting about feeling badly about giving into a poor choice. I know it sucked in the moment, but give yourself a pat on the back for keeping strong and celebrate!

The last thing I recommend is to make exercise a regular part of your routine. Not for weightloss, necessarily, but because is a fantastic way to feel like you have really accomplished something. After I run a mile I feel tired and sore but I feel like I did something I can be SO PROUD of, and there is no freaking way I would let a craving boss me around after I feel so awesome!

Hang in there! 

I love your reply.  I will remember your crystal ball idea.

Also, here is a link to what Drew Carey felt like after he dived in.  I love his title quote:

'Crappy Food Is Not A Reward, It's a punishment'

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/24/drew-careys-weight-loss-c_n_738387.html

Hi kaniky-  *hugs*

I'm not sure how helpful my advice will be-  I've been struggling with two major stressors for the past few months-  I'm secretly planning to divorce my (emotionally abusive) husband and I'm also working full time while attending school.  

My first go-to is always carby foods or alcohol.  For example, during a really stressful day earlier this week, I wound up buying a whole bunch of Cheetos and beer.  Just a small handful of Cheetos was enough to fill me up and get rid of that craving, as I had the taste in my mouth.  The rest went into the garbage.  I was still horrified with myself, as I'd previously built up a system to help with stressors, which I've explained below. 

To avoid that in general, one thing that helps me is talking (or typing), which you're doing now.  As goofy as it sounds, I'm also doing little things for myself every day to remind myself I'm on the way to something better.  For example, I have a bunch of tiny heart stickers at work, and every day I try to put one on my hand/watch/what have you to keep myself focused on the positive things.  Probably not the best thing, but I also purchase something small every week as a gift to myself, be it a fun ring, a cool pen, an item for my new apartment, etc.  

Here is a picture of the hearts:

I know that exercise isn't an option for you right now-  If it ever becomes one, I do recommend it.  I seem to be transferring my addiction of food/alcohol over to swimming.  Whether or not that's healthy, we'll see.

*hugs*

Sending you good vibes,

-LB

Hi LB,

I love the stickers! Such a great idea to have a small, physical/visual reminder to think of the positive things! 

I am sorry to hear that you are in an emotionally abusive relationship but GOOD FOR YOU to realize this and be planning to divorce him. If you're ever in need of some internet-hugs, you know where to find me. 

Thank you, Felicity Q!  That means a lot- 

Friends from afar,

-LB

I luv the 's, I have something silly also, I have gold 's. The idea was since I still write down physically what I eat in a small book in addition to using mfp, that if I ate good during the day, met all my protein, vitamins & water goals I'd put a gold star sticker on that page.

Whenever I stalled out I could look back in my book & see if I had any stars, silly yeah, it reminded me of grade school, but sometimes I need to do silly things, hell they have adult coloring books now & damn it, I actually want one. LOL

T is Hagalicious Brown, I think the stars in the food journal are an awesome idea!     And you should totally get an adult coloring book-  I have friends who use them and swear by them!  

Fun at all ages,

-LB

Sorry you are in a stressful season in life. I can relate to the survivor tradition you had with the pizza and feeling deprived. I felt that way this summer when we were on the boardwalk at the beach. I felt deprived that I could not take part in the board walk foods. Another tradition I no longer do is eats at dunkin donuts on Saturdays with the kids. I still let them get donuts, but now I focus on being with them, chatting etc. Before,I Was more obsessed with what I would be getting, than actually listening to anything they said. I'm more present in mind now, vs. Occupying the same space.

Fries are easy for me to pass up... Grease and my tummy don't like each other. I can steal a fry off of my kids, but eating am order for myself would be trouble for me. Other temptations, I've just resolved that a) maybe in maintenance I can try it again, but not in the weight loss phase. B) it's not high enough in the nutrients I need vs what I 'want.'

When I want a treat, I have a zero calorie beverage or a high fat cheese. I've been drinking a lot of Starbucks cold brew iced coffee! I have worked past a lot of my food cravings by taking a bite of the food, really examining it, and thinking about everything that disgusts me about that food. I can't even remember what I used to like about some foods, especially tasteless, cardboard-like frozen foods.