Bariatric Buddy

Feeling Down

Rachel B.
on 1/23/11 1:07 am
 I've been feeling really down lately.  I realize that part of my weight problem is that I binge eat.  One person even told me once that I'm bulimic do to the binging, but I don't purge so I'm not sure that I believe that.  I just wish I could stop binging!
    
jmshadowdancer
on 1/23/11 8:41 am
 Binge eating is eating for the sake of eating.  It's a way that we use food to comfort ourselves.  Being sleeved means that you're going to have some trouble in the sense that  you can no longer use food to comfort yourself.  It made me depressed for a while.  It made me frustrated because I could no longer "solve" my problems with food, and it made me depressed like I was a monster for feeling that way.  I involved myself in therapy three months before surgery at the recommendation of my nutritionist.  I honestly recommend it.  You'll be able to explore your relationship with food as it changes during the process of surgery.  


Kathy B.
on 1/23/11 12:44 pm - Virginia, MN
Hi Rachel, we all used food as a tool for self soothing one thing or another.  I agree with Jane, get someone to talk out the issues with, get to the bottom of why you binge.  I care about you and do not want to see you get the surgery, not solve the problem and have regain.  The surgery fixes our stomachs but the biggest threat is our brain.

When you feel the urge to binge, stop for a moment, take a few deep breaths and reevaluate why you are feeling this urge.  Write down your feelings, thought, etc.  Then find an alternative activity that does not involve food for at least 10 minutes.  We can do most anything else for 10 minutes.  You may find that the urge is no longer there after doing something else for the 10 minutes. 

Borrowed this list of 10 things to do instead of binge from another source.  There are hundreds of other things to try.

1. Go for a walk. If you have a dog, take him/her with you. Try to really take in everything beautiful outside and shift your focus from food to the pretty flowers you see, the nice houses you see, or the nature that surrounds you.

2. Arts and Crafts. Sew, paint, draw, and create your own masterpiece. You can capture how you are feeling in your drawings. Why not go to your local crafts store and buy something that you’ve never done before?

3. Play an Instrument. Play the piano, violin, trumpet, or any other instrument that you like. Create a new song or just play by reading the notes of your favorite song.

4. Take a nice, relaxing bath. Create a mood for taking a bath: dim the lights, put on relaxing music, light some candles, close your eyes, and feel calmness take over your whole body.

5. Listen to Music. Put on some Mozart or Beethoven to transport you into a relaxed state of mind. If you do not like classical, put on whatever makes you feel good. Singing out loud also helps to put you in a good mood.

6. Write in a Journal. Write down exactly what you are feeling in your journal. Write about whatever happened that day to make you feel like you want to turn to food. You will feel better once you have your feelings off of your chest. In days to come, you will be able to look back on the times that you didn’t give into a binge.

7. Say Affirmations. Say an affirmation out loud and with feeling behind it. Write this affirmation down and post it everywhere you can so that you are always reminded of how you want to be. Put a copy of it on the refrigerator or on the pantry door so you think twice about bingeing. Always try to talk yourself out of the binge.

8. Go for a Drive. Pick up your license and keys and go for a drive. As long as you feel safe, leave all cash and credit cards at home. Try to drive in an area where there is not a lot of temptation for food if you do bring money with you. This will at least make it more difficult to binge.

9. Call a friend or family member. Pick up the phone and call someone that you know you can talk to about how you are feeling. Someone that will encourage you to talk to them until you feel better. It’s better to call someone instead of opening up the pantry door to get food.

10. Read a good book. Pick up any kind of uplifting book that you can find. Reading stories about motivating people that went through challenges will provide hope to you. There are many inspirational stories out there.

OH Support Group Leader
Come visit us at the bariatric buddy group http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/bariatricbuddy/welcome

        
franRN76
on 1/23/11 3:52 pm - PA
there are other eating disorders besides anorexia and bulemia.  I would binge eat on carbs when I was depressed or sad.  Think that they must have released some sorts of hormones in my brain.

My advice would be to seek some counseling prior to having the surgery.  It will help your success in the long run.

                


Patrece S.
Group Leader

Kathy B.
Co- Leader
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