"Where are they now" ... 4 year 8 month VSGer
Definitely do NOT BREAK THE SEAL!!
I have always compared "my" addiction to that of an alcoholic and like I've said people will KNOW you are on a diet but yet offer you cake. But no one would EVER think to offer a drink to a recovering alcoholic....I embrace and fight the comparison at the same time. Afterall who wants to say "I can NEVER eat this or that." With my recent regain on top of my regain, I'm close to that.
MS Shell
I have always compared "my" addiction to that of an alcoholic and like I've said people will KNOW you are on a diet but yet offer you cake. But no one would EVER think to offer a drink to a recovering alcoholic....I embrace and fight the comparison at the same time. Afterall who wants to say "I can NEVER eat this or that." With my recent regain on top of my regain, I'm close to that.
MS Shell
Ironically I have been thinking about that and just thinking out loud, isn't that like an alcoholic who used to drink everything saying...oh I'm only drink beer or whatever??
And it's not saying no to ALL carbs because I eat fruits and vegetables, eat cheese and do dairy, it's just to processed carbs. Around year 2 I was eating 1/2 cup steal cut oatmeal and a boiled egg for breakfast. Not everyday but occassionally, then BAM I started being hungry ALL the time...so luckily I was "on track" so I went back in my logs and saw the "healthy" oatmeal had to be triggering it. So I stopped it and so did my hunger and about 3 months later I ate it a couple times in a 2 week spam and sure enough I started feeling hungry again.
So many of these things I forgot and just like any alcoholic who thinks they can handle a "limit" I'm processing all the information I've gathered over the last 4 years about my body, my triggers etc etc.
And it's not saying no to ALL carbs because I eat fruits and vegetables, eat cheese and do dairy, it's just to processed carbs. Around year 2 I was eating 1/2 cup steal cut oatmeal and a boiled egg for breakfast. Not everyday but occassionally, then BAM I started being hungry ALL the time...so luckily I was "on track" so I went back in my logs and saw the "healthy" oatmeal had to be triggering it. So I stopped it and so did my hunger and about 3 months later I ate it a couple times in a 2 week spam and sure enough I started feeling hungry again.
So many of these things I forgot and just like any alcoholic who thinks they can handle a "limit" I'm processing all the information I've gathered over the last 4 years about my body, my triggers etc etc.
For me, starchy carbs are like heroine... they make me crave more and more.... when I do not eat any... after a few days I do not even think about them .. then I let my guard down and eat something starch and then ... cravings start again... I think we should start a carb-o-holics anonymous group... we can call it CA ... what do you think?
VSG on 02/04/12 with
Hmmm...your post has me re-thinking a couple of my "habits" that I've been feeling are okay because I track them and keep within my calorie limits. Now I'm wondering if I'm just making excuses.
Thank you for the post. It gives us newer folks a lot to consider as we drudge through this WL journey!
Thank you for the post. It gives us newer folks a lot to consider as we drudge through this WL journey!
Your honesty is so important to the value of these forums. You will likely never know how many people you helped by having the courage to post your struggles.
When I see people posting on here about wanting to be able to enjoy "treats" in moderation, or eating because that is part of the enjoyment of life (ie, eating to celebrate something), big red warning flags go off in my head. For me, it is all a slippery slope and always will be. Nothing about surgery prevents me from being able to eat an entire bag of potato chips or a huge piece of cake - and then go back for seconds. When I get really stressed, I still feel that instinct to find some food. Now I can control it, but I am very aware that it is still there, and something I will always need to work to control.
I'm sure that you have it within you to accomplish whatever goals you aim for. I look forward to your progress reports!
When I see people posting on here about wanting to be able to enjoy "treats" in moderation, or eating because that is part of the enjoyment of life (ie, eating to celebrate something), big red warning flags go off in my head. For me, it is all a slippery slope and always will be. Nothing about surgery prevents me from being able to eat an entire bag of potato chips or a huge piece of cake - and then go back for seconds. When I get really stressed, I still feel that instinct to find some food. Now I can control it, but I am very aware that it is still there, and something I will always need to work to control.
I'm sure that you have it within you to accomplish whatever goals you aim for. I look forward to your progress reports!
Thank you for this post, and I hope you'll keep on posting. I think most of us struggle with eating issues that will come back to bite us, sooner or later. It's all about what we do when that day comes, and it sounds like you're ready to face that challenge and get back on track. I'm inspired by you already! Thank you for this reminder that we should never take this journey for granted, and that there will come a day when we'll have to work for it, and work hard. I can see the seeds of problems to come sprouting in my life, time to pay attention and yank them out now!!
Do keep us posted on what works for you, if you don't mind. We'll all benefit from your experience.
Lastly, a warm, gentle hug for the loss of your mom. I lost mine 2.5 years ago to cancer, two months from diagnosis. I miss her every day, and I never know what will bring on the tears, but the grief is just one way I honor her memory and the relationship we had. She deserves to be missed and mourned.
Hugs,
Beth
Do keep us posted on what works for you, if you don't mind. We'll all benefit from your experience.
Lastly, a warm, gentle hug for the loss of your mom. I lost mine 2.5 years ago to cancer, two months from diagnosis. I miss her every day, and I never know what will bring on the tears, but the grief is just one way I honor her memory and the relationship we had. She deserves to be missed and mourned.
Hugs,
Beth