Confessions.....

Wow....am I glad I lurked on this page today.  I am year out and have lost approx 160 lbs and have 70 more to go.  I am finding though that I want to eat all the time.  Even when I am full my mind is focused on what is in the cupboard.  I am not really sure how much are you really supposed to be eating at this stage but I know it is less than what I am eating.  I need to get back to three meals a day with no snacking.  I am losing very slowly now but I know this is because I seem always to be eating.  I do work out five days per week which I think is keeping me from gaining for now.   I am not sure how to "break the cycle" of snacking.  Not all my snacks are unhealthy but I am worried I will stretch out my stomach with the amount of food I am eating.

Wish me luck.

Why not have 5 or 6 feedings a day instead of sticking to 3 meals.  That works best for some and it keeps hunger at bay, keeps your metabolism up and helps stop the "grazing".  I typically have 4-5 feedings a day, I call it 3 meals and 2 snackings but it's typically scheduled feedings.  I just try to make sure that I don't overeat at any of these feedings.

I wish I could say I am eating due to hunger.  Most of the time (the scariest part) is that I am full or was recently full....maybe one hour before.  I think this is just mental for me.  I went to a therapist who advised me that I was doing well and I was being "too hard on myself" as everyone has those days.  I don't think she understands what it takes to get yourself to 425 lbs to start with and how scary it is that you will end up back there.

I see you are about 13+ months out.  My doctor told me that my meals would be about 12-13 oz (1 1/2 cups) at a year out if that helps.  I also try to make sure to focus on 3 bites of protein for every bite of something else.  I also try to make sure that I have healthy complex carbs and fruit in my diet as well.  If I feel that I haven't had enough protein, then I'll have a low-carb slimfast shake that has 20 grams of protein. It's always hard to break the cycle of comfort eating so you just have to focus on the here and now.  EVERY TIME before you put something in your mouth you have to ask yourself if this is what you should be doing instead of mindlessly putting it into your mouth.  I know that whenever I've started comfort eating again, I've turned my mind off and jammed the food into my mouth. This will forever be a constant battle, but if you tackle it each and every time, you'll win most of those battles. I know what you mean about the constant fear of regaining the weight.  I weigh myself daily for that very reason.  I've recently been going thru a water retention period and also had surgery for a hernia repair so I still have fluids from the surgery in me.  Even though I know it's mainly water weight, I still freak out cuz I'm so scared I'll wake up tomorrow weighing 273 again.  I think only the fomerly obese can understand these fears.

Thank you for your post. We all mess up. Bad eating choices are what got us all here. I too  find days where a little chocolate at a time does not bother me and I graze. I am slowly losing again after giving birth and gaining most ogf my weigh back. We have to use our tool. For some it will be a daily struggle others have been what I call very blessed and lost all their weight and more. This is not the typical person. FOOD WILL ALWAYS BE ARE ENEMY. I will pray for you. Good luck and please fight that chocolte temptation. I have to do this everyday also.

Thank you so much for posting this Andrea.  I know exactly what you are going through.  My eating is horrible too.  I weighed in on Sunday and was at 173, this morning the scale said 182.5.  I have been eating everything I know I should enjoy only on occasion....donuts, cake, candy and on and on.  It's aweful.  Here at work, the girls are constantly bringing in cookies or candy or something that tempts me that I know I should just walk on by.  I am really freaking out on the weight gain.  I haven't seen 180 in almost a year.  I still haven't reached my goal weight and never will if I do not become accountable for me.

Thanks to everyone for the great insite on how to eat again.  I feel like I have forgotten what are the good things for me.  I have to get this under control NOW! Shelley