What to do

Perhaps this is a vent more then a question..work is a trigger for my head telling me that I need to eat.  I have found that because I have idle time at work- all I think about is food.  We have a lot of people who eat all through the day- I hear them, I smell their choices, we have a snack cubical that would make a RNY patient dump looking at it.  I have been using every skill I can to never even go near the area where the cubicle is located.  I know this is just part of the adjustment but its killing me, I want to jump out of my seat and do something (active) or just get busy, busy so my mind is occupied.  I miss my days when I was on the go, go , go.  It was so much more healthy on so many levels.  But I can't just change jobs because I can't afford a HUGE pay cut.  Give me strength / will power..I'm dying.
Coping skills- ignoring it, chewing gum, drinking when I think I need to eat, writing I am not hungry on paper over and over, posting here (yikes?!)...

Oh that sounds tough. The only other thing I can suggest is writing out your benefits, that you are going to be there in the long haul for your lovely family. That you are not going to miss this opportunity to show your strength and get beyond a moment of craving.

You can do this. We are all here supporting and cheering you on.

Yes- I had resorted to that before- making list of things I want to accomplish.  It had its bright sides. Thanks for the encouragement.

I pretty much, other than the 30 minutes after a meal, have something in my hand all the time.  My plan is for 4-5 meals a day, even now at 6 to 9 months.  2 oz of protein, 2 oz of veggies or fruit.  And your 1-2 protein drinks on top of that.  So I start at 6:30 with protein coffee, around 8 have breakfast, 11 have another meal, 3 again, 5 a protein drink, 7, last meal.  In between all that I am having 2-3 cups of hot herbal tea (big cup).  Sometimes I have my last meal at 6 and a protein drink at 8.  So I really am eating/drinking all day.  It's hard to get hungry that way.
I guess the other thing is to keep stuff that you can eat with you all the time so you are less tempted. 
Good luck, I know you can do it. 

Thanks- I am still on soft food so taking portable soft foods seems hard...plus I feel insane eating all the time right now..I remember how I did it the first time around...my weight loss was successful..I ordered some things that will help..right now OMG- I would have killed the person if I saw their popcorn. LOL  (and it isn't even something I usually eat).  Thanks for the advise- so I will be able to start that again.

I'm dealing with this myself right now and I'm six months out!  You are not in it alone.  Drinking helps, but it has to be my Nectar.  Plain old water doesn't cut it.  I think it is the protein in the Nectar.

I focus on my body and ask myself if I'm really hungry or if it is head hunger.  It is usually head hunger.

I visualize the food for the negatives it brought to my life.  That extra cookie or piece of chocolate is the high blood sugar (pre-diabetes) I got rid of with my surgery.

This is so tough.  They don't do surgery on your head.  I think the head part is much harder than the rest.

Kay

 Ill  just say it does get easier  .   And Oa  is  a great  place to learn and vent about the food addiction  withdrawal !!  

I never thought Id  get through  hours  of stressful  before the computer work without  stuffing my face .. but i have learned how  by doing it gradually  .... 

I can do  construction work  out in the cold now and not use it as an excuse  to reward myself with extra food ..

its amazing that  the  refrigerator and the  constant carby snacks  have largely  stopped  singing to me ... wow ! 

at some  point the head  kind of  begins to catch up to the body lol.... thank  God  

im still nowhere near perfect but im seeing improvement  

  

Work for me is a trigger too!  But I can not leave my job as much as I would like too.  I get my work done, and then what to eat casue there is nothing else to do or the stuff I have to do is not pressing so I put it off.  I have started to take mini walks. I grab a meeting folder, pen and walk the halls for 10-15 min.  When I return I drink a bottle of flavored water.  It is hard! when I get bored I want to eat that is at work or home. You have to find stuff to pre occupy your time with.  I also started carrying a before picture to remind I don't want to go back there. Good luck  we are here when you need vent. But know that you are not alone.

 I'm afraid I'm having the opposite problem.  Since i am not working anymore I spend a lot of time in the house.  And the kitchen keeps calling to me!
At work there was always food around because i taught functional life skill to disabled high school students. Sometimes the food I didn't even like would find its way into my mouth before I knew it.  I resorted to getting up and taking quick walks around the building.  Luckily i had an aide and could do that.
The only other suggestion I have is to keep tic tacs with you.  I find that if I eat one I can ignore the food a little because it gives me that fresh mouthwash taste.
Good luck and vent all you want.
janet

Thanks everyone- I plan on trying some of those tips.  I know if I sat around at home my kitchen would call me too.  Being busy and on the go is so helpful for all of me..mind, body and soul.  I am seeing results so I keep telling myself it's just your head.  Thanks again!