What's the most embarrassing thing you've done for/with food?

One thing that sticks out for me is I had a real birthday cake addiction. I used to go to different grocery stores to buy birthday cakes.  The bakery staff behind the counter would ask me "is this for someone special" and I would totally get into the whole moment and say something like "oh yes its for my niece Emily, please write on the cake 'Happy 10th birthday Emily" and go home and eat the whole thing. I would make sure I didn't go to the same grocery store twice, but I did once and the young cute girl behind the counter caught me when I said oh write on the cake "Happy 10th birthday Emily" and she was all like oh wasn't it your nieces birthday yesterday. BUSTED. Those were dark times my friend, dark times!!

OMG I totally relate: I have two stores within 5 minutes of me that I go to get cake at. After being overly full yesterday, I'm giving that up. It felt too bad. But I'd get like 3 cake slices and eat them in my car and hide the containers under the seat.

Look at it this way -- you're a hero. You rescued poor Emily from diabetes by throwing yourself in front of all those cakes.

I need this forum so much! I am really struggling and can't seem to go more than a few days before I eat something I shouldn't. Sugar. It is always sugar. I haven't stopped baking or making candy since the Christmas season. I can feel myself gaining weight.

I have always been addicted to sugar. I would eat candy and not meals. I bought bags and bags of candy. Constantly. Every day. Easter candy is my weakness. This surgery gave me my life back, and I feel like I am throwing it away because I am addicted. Addicted to sugar.

I had the surgery, not because of my weight, but because of acid and bile reflux that was so bad my throat would completely shut. Too many times to count. So I feel like I was given a gift, but don't know how to deal with this addiction I have. I make up reasons to cook and bake. I have always loved to bake and make candy, but I need to learn how to bake sugar free, good for me things, instead of the delicious garbage that I am cranking out day after day. I have 3 bags of caramels in the freezer, and two bags of chocolate chips, and marshmallows in the pantry along with two cans of frosting. My plan is to make candy and turtles for Easter for the the residents of my mom's nursing home, and my co-workers, but I know I will lick the bowl, and eat a piece here or there. I do not know why it has such a grip on me. How do you fight the addiction and win?

Any strategies that you use? How do we break the vicious cycle? I think to me, that home made things show  I care and want to take care of you.  But I need to break free. 

Okay, the end of my rant ?.

Firstly, I'm no therapist,  but I will give you my opinion.  An alcoholic shouldn't be a bartender. You need to stop baking right now.  If you want to do something for the residents of the nursing home , find something else. 

The more you give yourself the access to the sweets,  the more you're going to eat. 

Go cold turkey.  It's so scary.  I actually get fearfull when I think about cutting my calories. But I did it yesterday. I cut out some carbs staples, and I survived.

 I can't bring the junk in my house.  I actually went through the cupboards last night and filled a big bag with all the crap that I shouldn't have in the house.  Mac and cheese,  rice a roni, pasta, a bag of chocolate chips.  

Get rid of it all. 

You are absolutely right. So scary, but it is time.

That's how I knew I had a real problem.  When just the thought of not having something, or getting rid of it, gave me serious anxiety.  yesterday morning I went back and forth with myself while I was packing my lunch.  Should I take an extra yogurt in case I got the urge for an afternoon snack?  I KNEW I wanted to skip it because I'm resetting my food, but the thought of not having it available was terrifying.  I skipped it, and I had the craving around 3 yesterday to eat.  It was a strong craving, and if I had that yogurt I would have eaten it.  I didn't NEED it, and I survived, so i'm glad I made the choice to not bring it with me.

Just get rid of the stuff.  Donate it to a local food pantry, give it to someone who doesn't have issues with food.  Throw it in the trash if you have to, then dump something gross on top of it so you can't take it out.  You can do it! 

I'm known for taking items hubby buys and then doesn't eat that I would gladly gobble up and dumping nasty stuff like cat litter on the top of them in the trash can. It works for me! Instead of baking for the people in the nursing home buy them some puzzles or knit them some lap blankets. There are lots of ways to show you care that don't involve food. If you want to succeed you need to find some. Maybe a counselor or Over eaters Anonymous might help too. You can do this but it is a total change of lifestyle. Don't get overwhelmed by it all,just make one good choice at a time.

My husband and I just started watching all the old "Cheers" episodes on Netflix.  In the first episode, it is pointed out that Sam (bar owner/tender) used to be an alcoholic and now doesn't touch the stuff, but still loves the bar.

I thought, "Oh right.  What BS.  TV will tell you anything is possible!"

I agree with Deanna.  If baking is such a trigger for you, stop it.  No one will suffer or die because you didn't make candy for Easter.  

I used to bake everyone in my office poppy seed bread for Christmas.  After I had surgery, I stopped doing it.  In my opinion, having WLS is about making permanent lifestyle changes.  People will understand if you stop baking for them, I promise.  You can either buy candy, cookies, chocolate, etc. to give to the residents of the nursing home, or maybe give them a small non-food gift instead if you're so inclined.

Did you happen to watch "My 600 lb Life" last night?  The mother loved her son with food so much that he weighed 1,000 lbs.  Food shouldn't be a way to express love.  I understand that it's something you're used to doing, but there are other ways, especially since food is a problem for you.