anxiety and grazing

Hi every one I am 18 months out and have gained some weight back.  I know that I have returned to some bad habits.  I eat out more often and I graze when I get anxious.  I am grateful that I am aware of what is happening because in the past I could not see it.  Any way that is a result of the WLS and this board.   So I am again getting back on track and eating right, walking, drinking more water and paying attention to protien.  I weigh 137 today and that is scary since I did get down to around 130.  I can feel the gain in my body...that is what realy scares me.  Emtionally it feels the same..you know what I mean. I know how to stop eating out.  Could I get some some help with with the anxiousness?  It happens at work because of deadlines and downtime and at the end of the day when I get home from work. That is such a bad time for me and always has been....I don't understand it. Any sugesstions would help Madeline

Good for you!  I also have gained about 5 lbs. total and I feel horrible.  I can't really blame it one thing except maybe bad habits.  I find myself tasting things that I could care less about.  There are two sayings I try to  live by:  "Just because you can, Doesn't mean you should.  and  " I control the food, it doesn't control me".   Just saying these through out the day seem to help me get back on track.  Now I just need one for the exercise.

Madeline,     Have  you  tried  planning  for  a  snack  in the  evening  one  high  in  protein ..  I am  21  months  out  and  that  is  the  way  my  Dr  suggested  that  I  add  to  my  food  plan so  I  can  maintain  my  weight .... I  am  such  a  routine  person  let  my  day   be with  out  routine  and  my  eatting  is  a  mess  that  is  when  I  want  to  graze ...  I  will  be  one that  has  to  plan ahead  of  time  with  my  food  or    my  grazing  would  be  come  a  life  style ..  Do  you  have  your   blood  work  done  every   6months  by   your  surgeon?   I  have  a  few  things  I  do  in  the  evenings  when  I  have  head  hunger instead of  eatting . Read  and  post  here  Email  a  WLS friend  I do a  word  search  puzzle  I  go  for  a walk listen to my IPOD  those  are  some  of  the  things  I  do  to  clear  my  head  of  food  hunger ....  Please  post  and  let  us  all  know  what  works  for  you ...  We are  all  in  this  journey  together  and  we all share  this  wonderful  tool  the  forum ...   I  am  wishing you  the  best!!   Tami

I find a protein drink in the evening is good for me.  I enjoy a snack at bedtime, so I use a good protein bar (crunchy & sweet).  A small weight gain is not unusual, but you are right to be vigilant.  Just don't  let yourself get paranoid!!  How about a cup of chamomile tea in the evening?  That would be good for anxiety.  Maybe even some St. John's Wort (another soother) tea.  I find that caffeine makes me nervous, so I don't use it after my morning break.  I have also found that Syntrax Nectar makes a Lemon Iced Tea flavor protein powder:  I use that in the afternoons for my refreshment, and get protein and no caffeine!! I have also found that my workouts at the gym are very good for me:  it seems to work off the excess energies that I get at work. Good luck!!

Have you had your magnesium levels checked?  There are a number of problems that a person can have with low magnesium.  I had a serious problem with anxiety attacks and the root cause was low magnesium.