Beating Myself Up

I had my sleeve converted to bypass on November 20, 2017. I'm down about 60 pounds. During the day, I'm very strict with my diet and on point, but when the middle of the night rolls around, I want to eat (it's head hunger, along with poor sleep). Last night I grazed on carbs and I'm so mad at myself for doing this. I need to eat more during the day and not have all my calories at night. I track everything I eat and am very good about meeting my daily protein and water goals. I'm so mad at myself right now!

just as a side note, I see my psychiatrist and surgeon this month, as well as attending my doctor's support group next week. I have resources and will use them, but hearing from other people who have been through similar situations would be helpful.

Krisanc19,

I know what you mean about the poor sleep. I talked to my Dr. about that, and got a sleep aid. I stopped taking it because it caused me to want to graze as well as some other things like not being able to go to the bathroom. (I know it is all head hunger), but the first night I woke up with a popsicle stick in my bed. Had no recolection of how it got there, but after looking in the mirror I knew I ate it because my lips and tongue were stained. Thank goodness it was sugar free. Another night, I had apparently ate a protein brownie. I stopped taking the sleep aid because I felt that I was not in control anymore. I am like you I keep track of EVERYTHING. I have not really allowed myself to "let loose" when it comes to food because of the addiction to it. I think being accountbale is what helps me. If I write it down then it happened, and if I don't then its like it didn't happen which is a lot like denial. So I journal everyday, no matter what.

Is seeing a psychiatrist/therapist been helpful to you? I am considering seeing one as well. I feel like I need a better support system. Does going to a support group really help?

I wish I had the answer. I don't so much eat in the middle of the night, but I am very prone to late evening snacking before I go to bed. I do pretty well during the day, but I'm not sure if I just get tired of watching myself, or figure I've done so well all day I can ease up at night - whatever it is my brain is thinking, I have to stop it! So I'm right there with you, it's a daily struggle. I've started logging everything I eat, which is helping me to realize where and when I go out of control, and what my go to snack foods are so I can eliminate them from my cupboard.

My psychiatrist is helpful and has done wonders for my depression. I can look back and see where my nighttime eating started gradually, and has since progressed (before and after my bypass). This will be the first weight loss support group meeting I've attended, so I hope it is helpful. I was doing a little research and came across Nighttime Eating Syndrome (NES). It describes me perfectly. I'm working on spreading my caloric intake evenly during the day. If I lived alone, I wouldn't have trigger foods in the house.

I always have a snack at bedtime of mostly protein. That usually gets me through the night. If I do wake up and feel I need food, I have something like a cheese stick or sugar-free cocoa. I plan and track with MyFitnessPal and actually have six meals a day planned.

Early morning snack, Breakfast, Lunch, Mid Afternoon Snack, Dinner, and Bedtime Snac****ep the meals at 300 calories and the snacks at 200 or less. I never actually have all six meals and stay close to 1000 calories a day.

I do not believe that I need to eat during the day and fast at night. I believe that it is the total calories that make the difference. As long as I logging my early morning snack at 3:00 AM, I am fine with that.

Keep an open mind about support groups. Some meetings are great and others can be terrible. It?s not always about the content but a place to ask questions, listen and most importantly refocuses your commitment. I have a friend who hates our support group and stopped going long ago. Honestly she's right. It frequently is bad. But that's not why I go. I go to keep me focused. She's up 25 from her goal, in case you're curious. Good luck.