What's on your menu today (Wednesday) RNYers?

Thank you for telling it like it is.  Some nights I lay in bed and struggle with that need to eat, eat, eat.  Rarely give in but it is very comforting to know that I am not alone in this crazy urge to eat everything in sight.  And LOLing over your snack post.  Me, too.

I used to binge eat prior to surgery (VSG) and I still get cravings some nights, often due to working out that day, not eating enough or emotional reasons. A trainer once told me to get up and eat something high in protein, Tbsp of cottage cheese, deli turkey slice, etc.  I know you mentioned it too. But when I get the craving to eat, I eat and now I am satisfied because  I tell myself it is okay to eat.  Rather than fighting it and thinking it will turn into a binge, I tell myself it's ok. Mindful eating. You are in control, if you know what I mean. To be honest it may be a couple of Tbsp.s of cottage cheese but it is way better than bingeing on unhealthy foods. Not sure what med. you are on and side effects.  

I recently started a heart medication that can cause memory issues, confusion, mood changes, and sleepiness. I've taken one very similar years ago and the confusion and lethargy got so bad they took me off of it.  Now my heart is in bad enough shape that that is not an option.  Side effects or no...I'm taking this bad boy. Should get better once my body gets used to the medication.  That is what I am hoping for anyway.  Basically if it is the med I still have to figure out how to manage my eating. 

The dense protein is working some but I know that my head is in a bad place because I feel that 'out of body' type feeling when I am eating at night.  Sure..protein...cool...now...what else is there? Don't care what it is. Not sure if that explains it well.

~E

So sorry to hear you have heart issues.  Hoping it will get better.  Not sure how to deal with the out of body, etc.  Yes, I know what you are saying but can't totally understand how you are feeling. My bingeing totally revolved around emotions, so my psychologist had recommended practicing mindfulness.  Sorry I can't be of more help.  Will be thinking of you and hoping with better adjustment to the med. your binge eating will improve.

Hmmm...mindfulness exercises I teach my clients actually aren't a bad idea.  It might refocus my thoughts to be more intentional and fight off that sense of lack of control.  I'm going to try that tonight if it happens again. It is funny...for my clients I think of all sorts of cool things to suggest.  For myself I draw a blank.  Thanks for the suggestion!

~E

I am a food pusher now also.  And I feel like I have no control if I dont log my food. 

Ugh sorry you are dealing with this. This is something I worked on a lot the year before surgery.I know in my case, logging everything, good days and bad, was so helpful. For example, yesterday you ate 1100 odd calories. Not what you want to see, but definitely not off the rails eating.

Not knowing is way worse. In the past, If I binged on something, I'd assume the day(/week?)was ruined, would feel guilt and shame, and spiral into more eating. 

Also, I didn't understand the connection between exercise and stress reduction, or how it helps with over eating. I thought people were crazy for suggesting I'd rather walk than hit the drive-thru or a bucket of ice cream. 

But what it does for me, is reduce the urge in the first place. And  for stress, it keeps it in check. It doesn't build and build. I don't hit the point where I'm struggling to find something to soothe me immediately or feel the need to shut down. 

i hope you find the support you need!

I'm willing to try.  Maybe an evening walk would be enough to start at least.  I will try that tonight and see how it goes.

~E

I hope things get better for you soon. Physically and emotionally

I don't have any great words of wisdom... I wish I did. I think you know what's going on, and by taking steps you'll get this bad boy kicked to the curb, though. I also think that without your man there, you are out of your routine... like he's gone and everything is free game because there's no accountability?? (OK, so that's me when my man goes out of town... used to be my 'permission' to drink as much as I wanted to those nights)... could that have anything to do with it??

Putting it all down into MFP was a brilliant move. You may have already eaten it, but seeing what you did in 'black and white' helps...I know it does.

Glad the thought of not taking that med isn't an option... you need that **** for sure... how many more weeks until things should settle down?

(((Hugs))) These I CAN do!