Update, apology, wt loss, alcohol/transfer everything but the kitchen sink, yeah long, thanks
It is great you are able to stop yourself and give a moment of pause to check in with yourself by asking what you're doing. Something else that I try is to ask myself if eating this (or that!) will get me to my goals (of losing weight, maintaining my weight, back on track, etc.).
Another thing when staring down a cookie or some other unhealthy food choice, I think of the saying "1 is too many and 1,000 is not enough."
Cathy
Cathy
Want to get back on track or stay on track? Get Back On Track Together!
Melissa,
Food Journal
I'm so sorry for your struggles. You are not lost and not alone. I know you probably don't want to hear this BUT...I'm 16 months post op and still track my food daily. I realized that maintenance for me now is continuing to track my intake. It really keeps me in check and honest. I see it this way...you wouldn't go a week without balancing the check book? I too NEVER want to be on another diet again and I see this as a "trade off". If I want something sweet, I work it into my day. It also help I do "over do it" and I have to log my food and address what was going on with me that day. It's actually pretty scary sometimes to face that but it's helping me go through that process. I encourage you to try and do something different - because what you are doing now is not working.
Small Meals
I have to eat small measl throughout the day. Number 1 it gives me a plan and helps me to not graze. Number 2, I just feel better. I eat at 9a, 12p, 3p, 6p and 8p. It helps me to know when and what I can eat on a schedule.
Counseling
It's never too late to learn and re-learn good habits...you did not waste your "honeymoon period" and you have not screwed up. I encourage you to get into counseling as soon as possible and if you can't afford it many good churches (off all religions and denominations) and pastors counsel for free.
Peace,
Susan
127 pounds lost
Hang in there Melissa. I’m probably just reiterating what some of the other members said, but I’d still like to offer my support. Please do not be afraid to post here because we are not here to be judgmental but to provide support and encouragement you may need to get through this difficult time. You are certainly not alone. There are quite a few of us who seem to have traded one addiction for another after WLS; be it shopping, drugs, sex …etc as well as alcohol. In my case, I traded my addiction to potatoes and fried foods for an addiction to candy, cookies, snack mixes and shopping. (I never considered my shopping an addiction because I don't use credit cards for my purchases and I still pay my other bills. I just don't have any savings!! I recently looked in my closet and saw a lot of things with tags still on. I also have stuff in bags that I never used along with their receipts. I will definitely be making a lot of returns for refunds and trying to beat this!) Your coming here and admitting to your problems is a great first stop in your recovery. After your initial embarrassment of having posted some of your issues, I think that you will soon feel a sense of relief especially after getting this off your chest and reading all of our messages of support and concern. Please keep up with some type of exercise, especially walking. Get back to the gym; you don’t want to waste your money. Please start tracking your food again. If you don’t want to use the on-line food tracking programs just keep a small notepad with you and write down everything you eat. Even if you don’t know the nutritional info, you can still see where your diet needs improvement. Food tracking can be a pain but it works! Now that you are in "resolution mode" please look for the help of a therapist, nutritionist and/or support group. Also, please make consistent visits to OH. All of the posters provided very good advice and support. Please try and find what works for you and go for it. I am praying for a speedy resolution for you from all the problems you are facing. Good Luck and Many Blessings!!
Getting Back on Track Again!!
I read every single post and was so affected by the kindness, acceptance, and caring that I didn't even know what to do with myself
I thank you so much, every single one, I can't even tell you what it means to me.
I had spent 16+ years of my adult life being obese and 5+ years prior to that of my food being controlled, that I cannot even comprehend how to handle being a normal weight, or 'skinny', and it gets so lost.
I wish more people would post about it, but I feel like they are all in hospitals or dying on the streets, it's got to come out.
190 lbs lost
View my profile to see my weekly stats.
You can create new eating/exercise habits starting today. Hold your head up high sister and look people in the eye. You are wonderful and deserve the best. You have picked yourself up, dusted yourself off and you are now strong enough to conquer anything in your path...especially alcohol. I was smart I picked my "transfer addiction" before I even had surgery...I choose exercise. My surgeon laughed at me when I told him but he now includes my statement in his talks. Choose your new addiction today!! What's it going to be Melissa? Exercise, sewing, riding a bike, volunteering, helping out at school, starting your own support group? I'm sending you cyber hugs!! You are a success, be kind to yourself now. We beat ourselves up the most don't we??
You have no idea how helpful your post may have been to someone else--maybe someone who hasn't replied but who can identify and not feel so alone & hopeless.
I am not in your same situation, but I am FINALLY working on losing some of my re-gained weight, and I get so much from coming here and reading everyone's posts--even those that don't especially pertain to my experience--because I often read some little thing that helps me.
Most important, just know that we all have personal battles; you will find no judgment here.
Thank you for this post.
Always,
Jo
I work with folks in recovery every day. I think the first thing that you should know (if you don't already) is that alcohol is a depressant...(duh!!) so it depresses everything: your emotions, your appetite, your desire to be among the living, your thoughts. It is also a carbohydrate, namely a sugar. Therefore, when you drink and then stop, your body craves carbohydrates and then you are ravenous. Hungrier than anything you have ever known, thin or heavy. Once you get past the initial abstinent part, (usually a week or so), the cravings will stop and your appetite will return to normal (whatever your normal is). As you posted, you do great for about a week or so, then return to alcohol. This is a vicious cycle to put your metabolism through, let alone the rest of you. Obviously, I would encourage you to find a program that works for you that can help you stay abstinent, while working on the things that made alcohol what you turned to. Then you can address your RNY, weight issues, and anything else that might be troubling to you.
Please also know that the least of your concerns is your weight. It is going to go up when you get into recovery and stop drinking. The weight will level off.
I don't want to put anymore pressure on you, so if you want to talk more, PLEASE feel free to email me directly and I am most happy to [email protected]
I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Anjanette
Anjanette
"Never let the fear of striking out get in the way of trying" George Herman "Babe" Ruth
No excuses....just do it!
