Why are we so consumed with food?

I guess I am reading too much of the boards these days but everything evolves around food.....pizza, chocolate, etc. Why do we obsess so much on food? I sit here and wonder is food our world? How do I escape this world and get into something else. I don't want to be consumed with food....I want to be like a Liberal Arts major....a little of everything. A balance.....that is what I want. So how does a food addict get a balance in life? Debbie

Consumed w/ Food? Is that ironic or what? Nowhere Man/PH/Jay

So I guess the mind is bigger than the stomach? My mind has been consuming a lot of thoughts on food these days....we write about food, I read about food, yes its ironic since I cannot eat a whole lot of it....And I wondered in the past how I got so big? No need to wonder anymore right! Now how do you turn off the food monster...or at least minimize his abilities to take over the body parts that allow massive quantities to be entered that increases the numbers on the scale. There has to be someone out there that has been able to do this right? I guess I could ask a MB question such as is there a surgeon that will operate on our head? With the successes we have here I am sure there must be one right or am I out on a limb that is about to break? I really need help with how do we balance our thoughts. I have figured out the portions of foods I need to eat for this wonderful journey and think I have done well so far but now I am seeking the the instructions we need to get our head in order? I do go to a therapist and it helps some....not alot. Its not my therapist with the problem it is me. I have to find a way of coping and I would really like to hear others and what they use to cope with this problem. I guess its the holiday season and its kicking my butt.... Debbie

I guess I still think about food most of the day. It's hard not to think about something just by telling yourself not to think out it. Think about it I am recovering from a regain of about 40 pounds during the last year. I've been on-track for about 3 months, and have taken about 25 of those pounds off again. The first month the cravings were nearly overwhelming. I wanted to binge just so I could STOP THINKING ABOUT FOOD for a few mintues. I was truly white-knuckling it there for awhile. Only in the last month or so have the overwhelming cravings started to subside. I'm finally back in the groove where I think about other things... at least once in awhile I don't have an answer for this, but I'm not sure it's something we can just decide not to think about... -- Jim F. high-475, surgery-414, lowest-164, current-177, goal-160

Jim. what was the thought process that you went through to get to where you are today? How did you put the food monster to bed or at least under the covers? What may have worked for you may or may not work for me but I really would like ideas. You have done a fantastic job! Looking forward to your response. Debbie

The only thought I had was "don't give up." I went month after month where I would have a few good days, and then a few binge-eating days. I just kept trying it and one day it "took." As I said I still had horrible cravings for the first month back on track, but I was (somehow) able to fight through them. It was very, very hard. Now the cravings have become less insistent, but I'm sure I'll always be subject to them. I can only be grateful that they're not bothering me today. Tomorrow may be different, but there's no point in getting discouraged or angry about that. -- Jim F. high-475, surgery-414, lowest-164, current-176, goal-160

Balance: how do we get it? I have found myself grazing recently. And I have watched several friends put on tremendous amounts of weight since having this surgery. It breaks my heart and makes me vow to be stronger in my doctor's rules for life. I love being where I am: Right at goal for about 6 months now, two years out and still cannot eat a lot, I dump (I think, I don't ever try anything that has been proven to make others dump), I work out at least twice a week but more likely three times a week. My doc's rules for life: 1. protein 2. water 3. exercise 4 NO SNACKING and stay away from the "P's", potatoes, pasta, pretzels, popcorn, etc. I weigh every day -- I have been slammed for that, but I do and it keeps me on track. I know right where I am any day. I use the 3 bite idea from someone. If you want it, Try it but don't eat more than 3 bites. Now that doesn't mean stuff with sugar. I stay away from typical real sugar stuff: real candy, real cake, real cookies. I will do the SF stuff if I have a craving for something. It has worked very well for me. I have gone as high as 3 lbs above my goal weight of 133 but my surgeon says 3 lbs is okay, 4lbs is a gain. I am pleased that my surgeon has very very strict guidelines. He will never do a revision. It has worked well for me and I believe most of his patients. I still can't eat a lot of food and perhaps it is because I don't push the limits and never have. Here is what I know: I never want to go back to weighing 357 lbs. NEVER! I like my new life, my new body and the freedom it has given me. Getting back on track? I refocus on the night before a protein day only and take out my old picture and only put protein in my body for that day, and I make a point of working out that day and I drink my water faithfully (which I don't do every day). I love this message board because we can be truthful, helpful and not get slammed for our "life lessons". The very best to you...

It is not just us. It is the world we live in. every activity involves food. Going to a movie - popcorn and a drink or candy. ballgame - hot dogs, holidays of any kind- they all hve food attachd. from (January) new years day there are varying tradtions, (feb)valentines day , go out to eat or have a special dinner w/ your sweetie& a big heart shaped box of choclates, (mar) St patricks day - corn beef and cabbage,(april) easter - eggs, candy, ham for dinner, (may) memrial day picnics and cookouts, & mothers day- make mom breakfast in bed, (june) fathers day, party make dad a special meal (july) the 4th cookouts, picnics, (August) celebrate the first day of school, (sept) Labor day picnics, (Oct) halloween candy, hot cider and donuts. (Nov) THANKSGIVING - stuff yourself like a turkey and get ready to eat yourself silly thru new years day. (dec) Christmas- big dinner and christmas cookies and candy canes. in between are birthdays with cake and ice cream and other varied holiday depending on your religion/ethnicity. Name a culture that doesn't celebrate traditions with out food.

Food is my disease. Darlene

I guess, once again, I'm the contrary voice. I don't find myself particularly focussed on food, at least not like I once was. I think many folks around here are as, or more, focussed on food and/or weight now than pre-op. Balanced? No. Not that I lay claim to any sense of balance, I am unbalanced in other ways in other places. Tek