grazing

please, can someone help me I can't stop grazing and i gained 9 lbs.

wow...if you find someone to help you send them my way. i haven't gained any YET! i don't know what happened to me...i was so strict and now i'm letting myself slip up here over the past few weeks. i keep saying i need to stop and i insist that my hubby make sure i don't eat anything i shouldn't but he's no help. i can pass up the sweets no problem it's all the carbs and bread!!

stephanie thank you for responding I had mine on 1/3/05 Yes its the carbs the more i eat the more i want

I have the same problem. If I start on the carbs, I can't stop. I'm trying to detox myself from the carbs, too. I think they make my feet and legs swell up worse, too. I have to ignore those who are telling me to add more carbs and go back to eating how I know works better for me and makes me feel better. I live alone, so it should be easy for me to control what comes in the door. I can stick to the straight and narrow for a day or two, but then I find myself adding those things back into the shopping cart. When you eat carbs, even the ones that are better for you, your body releases serotonin, which affects your mood. Our brains like that feeling, so it makes us crave them more to get back that good feeling. Very wicked things, those carbs. Sue O.

If you can't stop grazing, then increase your exercise to compensate. Its OK if calories in = calories out

((((((((((Kathleen)))))))))) I REALLY wish I had some suggestions for you. I NEEDED to pick up the grazing habit during my post-op pregnancy and I still haven't figured out how to break it (my daughter is now slightly over eight months old). Maybe have only 'good' things around to graze on...? ~~Sherry

I offer this suggestion with the disclaimer that what works for me, may not work for you... Grazing can be a side effect of boredom, insufficient caloric intake, habit, and more or all! With that said: Are you bored? Are you hungry? Have you always been sort of a stream of consciousness eater...just sort of going through your day, generally numb to what you put in your mouth? So, if you are bored...what can you do (other than eat) to fill the time? Can you volunteer? Neaten your closets? Learn to knit? Take a walk? Read a book? Do laundry? In other words, find something to fill the void that will also add meaning...and maybe make a difference in the world! And if you are hungry...figure out why you are hungry. Do you count calories? Do you journal? Do you plan your meals, snacks, etc? Do you have the things you plan for on hand (if not, you really don't have a plan)? Are you aware of your hunger level when you eat? Could you ask yourself every time you eat how hungry you are (think of a scale...1=not hungry/5=starving)? Do you measure portions? If you are counting calories and journaling, you must be measuring...how else would you know what a portion looks like? And if you are a grazer by habit...kick the habit! Every day affords you the opportunity to gather up personal strength, take a look at who you are and what your goals are, and how you can maintain your success for the rest of your life. Grazing on green beans is far different than grazing on a slowly diminishing container of cream cheese frosting. If you must graze, have healthy food on hand that you can count on throughout the day. I have loads more strategies/tactics that I have made part of my life...I believe the suggestions above are at the very core of making postive changes! Continued success, Karen

Karen! It is SO good to see you ... its been a while!! --Karyn

you are right I do most of my grazing at work, Iwork 11 pm to 7 am and I work all by myself, at a motel front desk and stare at the vending machine, I read alot of books but i get bored sitting down in one place for too long. I take yogurt to work but it doesnt fill me up so i will have to think of other snacks to bring with me so the demon vending machine will leave me alone. thank you so much

Those vending machines are something else!