How to stop????

OK------
I have been lurking here a lot and posting a little.  I have not seen my problem covered, although I'm sure it is not new to any of us.

I got to be MO by lots of bad habits, and I have horrible metabolism to boot.  Even with surgery, I was a "slow loser" and never lost the final 40 lbs.  It was just like before surgery-----once my body stopped losing, it did not seem to matter WHAT I did.  More protein, less protein, more calories, less calories, no carbs, some carbs, more exercise less exercise.......you get the idea.

I kept "on track" for the first 2 to 3 years.  My weight maintained, even after surgery that sidelined the exercise for 3 months.

I am now almost 3.5 years out.  I have gained 10 pounds in the last 6 months.  I know that some of that is from wine and vodka, although alcohol is not an every day thing for me, but maybe once a week.

What I am noticing is that I can't seem to STOP eating once I start.  (I know this is called "grazing".)   It seems like I always want a bite of this or that.  There is no "satisfaction".  It was that way before surgery, after I quit smoking.  Smoking was always my "we are finished" signal.  NOW what is that signal?  I thought after surgery, the tool would work in a way that I would feel "full" or "satified", but it never happened.  I do not drink while eating, so that's not it.

Any tips, tricks or suggestions????

Hi Dawn

sorry I don't have any answer, but just wanted to let you know that youa re not alone on this - I could have written your post as my own story.  I too am struggling with the same issues. 

Others will post with some great ideas I'm sure.   One thing is to measure portions and try to stick with what we allow ourselves - easier said than done, but it might help as if it isn't on the plate in the first place and we make it more difficult to get second helpings we may restrict the amount we eat.  I know lots of people here track what they eat and of course pre plan everything to avoid that grazing...

Now I just need to follow my own advise!!!!!  PS I've taken up knitting to keep my hands busy in the evenings to stop me grazing.  For one they are already occupied but also, I have to keep them clean so I don't get the white wool dirty or greasy...

I know for me... water loading really helps.  I don't eat a meal unless I first drink 22 oz of water. I find that I still feel hungry after eating if I'm not drinking enough water.  Also lately I've been feeling that I'm over doing it on my portions..so I started doing the 5 day pouch test and by the 3rd day I was surprised how little it took to feel the restriction of my pouch.  Also.. watch for sugar free and high fructose corn syrup stuff.. they tend to cause insulin to be released (when it's not needed) and can increase appetite and make us want to eat more then we should. 

When I started getting back on track, the last 3 weeks I've been getting over 80 oz of water in daily and my appetite has subsided significantly!  My 'sweet tooth' is almost gone as well.  I guess my body craves water and for years I've been giving it food instead.

Hope that helps.  :)

-Shakeira

Hi Berts4,

You are not alone in what you are experiencing.  My metabolism is screwy too. 

As far as the "finished" signal, I would try sugar free gum, mints, herbal tea (30 minutes after dinner), or brushing your teeth.  I use the idea of brushing my teeth pretty often.  It is hard to eat something after you have that fresh taste after brushing.

I look forward to other tips or suggestions from other BOTTers.

Cathy

I was on the same road as you. I'm loading up on Water and protein and it seems to help. I am here if you need me.

Welcome to BOTT, your story could well be my own. I lost 185 never got to goal can eat a great deal more. Maintaining my weight gained over the past year.. get the similar story.

We are blessed to have lost what we lost, what helps me is loading on the water and protein. try the Kaye Baily pouch test, it works.

Melva

ditto, THAT IS THE REASON I AM HERE, you COULD HAVE  BEEN ME WRITING THIS! MAKES ME WONDER IF THIS IS A COMMON THING? I AM ALMOST 7 YEARS OUT, SURGERIES SLOWED ME WAYYYY DOWN, WHAT IS WATER LOADING AND WHEN AND HOW? I ALSO HAVE NOT DONE THE POUCH TEST?  I FEEL LOST, LIKE I DON'T REMEMBER THINGS I SHOULD WITH THIS, WAS WATER LOADING AND POUCH TEST A PART OF THIS?  I ALSO DON'T FEEL THE "IF I TAKE ONE MORE BITE " FULLNESS I USED TO? ANY HELP? THANKS DENISE

A couple of things on this topic :-) First and foremost, you are not alone. I see many of us in this boat. I am one of them. Many of the things that have caused any gaining of weight lost has been cetered around the habits we held before surgery....So we do have to get back to basics followed by our surgery. I have found that I cannot in any way, shape or form graze....I tend to eat more and drink less water when I do. This is a recipe for disaster. The water loading really really really helps me too. I also had to pull back on the carbs. Even though I don't often fall into eating bad carbs, I am still opting for carbs over protein. That is how I ended up being nearly 300 lbs and I know I don't ever want to visit that place again. I have done the 5 day pouch test and that has saved me many times to get me back on track...now I need to stay on track and accept the behaviors I have to maintain.

I also took a big step and came clean with my surgeon. I kept putting of seeing him for my checkup because I didn't want him to know that I was gaining. I got to the point in which I felt I had to pay the piper. So I would also suggest making an appointment to follow up if you haven't already. The appt was smooth and he was very supportive and helped me look at my goals in smaller portions (no pun intended :-) I wish you the best!!

Ditto for me, Berts4. I don't have any tips, I too am looking for suggestions. And I gotta say - this seriously seems to be very common amongst us on the board. I am 5 years out and I just want FOOD all the time! :)

I have to admit that I started letting more carbs in my food, like a loaf of bread here and there when I hadn't bought bread in 3 years, or mindlessly letting my hand put cookies in the cart and not stopping myself from paying for them or eating them.  I'd slacked off of exercise, too, due to major depression problems, which didn't help a bit.

I'm finding that tracking my meals and intake on Sparkpeople.com has been a big help.  I also am very stern with my "Sybill" self and if she takes over and gets the cookies into the cart, I wrench myself out of thrall and put them back.  "Thrall" is like a mild hypnotic state and is very difficult to overcome if you don't want to stop what you're doing.

I do want to stop, which is why I'm here!  So, no bread, cookies, or crackers in my cart!!!

Although I did find some good wholegrain chips which are a nice treat with cheese.

Good luck!