Question:
HELP! I CAN'T STOP EATING!

I have lost from 287.5 to 169... now up to 174...just over the weekend! I seem to have uncontrollable hunger and am eating waaaaaaay too much. I have been fighting this for the last 3 or 4 months now (surgery date 3/13/02). I am falling into the VERY SAME habits I had before surgery... you know, waking up every morning saying I will do good but by supper, I've "blown" it by snacking too much! How can I break this cycle before I end up the way I was before surgery. This has been the best thing that has ever happened to me and I'm sooo afraid I will blow it! HELP!!!!!    — Kay W. (posted on July 14, 2003)

July 13, 2003
Hi Kay, Do you find yourself craving Carbs and snacking on mostly carbs? If so, you may want to "de-tox" your body from the carbs and go back to protein for a week.
   — M B.

July 14, 2003
ALong with the first, let me add two more things. 1. Drink more water instead of eating. Keto makes a carb craving snack - low in carbs but it is supposed to work. Are you Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired. Time to call a HALT. You can beat this. You have come so far. Remember the group is here for you too. Is there a support group in your area that can help. Maybe get busier helping other people etc. Good Luck and Take care of you!
   — snicklefritz

July 14, 2003
Hi Kay ! I am only a few weeks post-op but like most of us I have had a lifetime of dieting experience. Maybe you are starting to feel "comfortable" with the new you so sticking with the healthy eating isn't as urgent as it was in the beginning. I know when I am heavy I can't lose weight fast enough, but once I start seeing results I get careless. Just remember what lead you to the surgery in the first place. Hang in there...you can do it! :)
   — Denise D.

July 14, 2003
Hi Kay, I'm Pre-Op but dieting to lose some before surgery. It is a really hard road and you kind of have to figure out what is best for you, but I can tell you a few things that have worked for me. Sit in a quiet place and look at old photo albums, home movies, yearbooks and pictures. Look at where you were and what you looked like. Cry a little and reaffirm yourself to your dream and commitment to lose weight and have a better life. I am also a power junkie, so I take pride in the fact that I'm taking control of my eating situation. Every time I feel hungry or want to snack, I say to myself, or out loud it alone, "I'm in control". This empowers me to know that I can decide and control what goes in my body. If none of this works, I suggest you take drastic measures. Put on a bathing suit and go mow your front lawn or go to the public pool, the stares will reaffirm you dream to be thin. Take comfort in the fact that we are all going thru it and we are here for you. Cheryl
   — Trin2rilax Cheryl McCoy

July 14, 2003
2 years post...maintaining goal. What helps me? 1. Protein shakes -- drink a thick one and you're good to go for a couple hours. 2. Eating before I really feel hunger. Helps me make better choices. 3. Weighing everyday...keeps me accountable to myself. Good luck and God Bless!
   — Kimberly L.

July 14, 2003

   — Denise W.

July 14, 2003
Kay- I know exactly where are coming from. I have been having the same problem. My bestest challenge is at night when I'm bored. What is working for me is to plan my meals. When I bring my lunch and snacks to work I do a lot better on those days, because I have already made the right choices. I also have to find other things to do at night besides the TV. Even it means going to bed early and getting a good nights sleep instead of snacking my way thought the boredom. I hope this helps. Cheryl 13 mos RNY -125
   — Cheryl S.

July 14, 2003
LOL instead of bestest I meant biggest. That is what I get for clicking the send button without proofing the message. :)
   — Cheryl S.

July 14, 2003
Kay: I'm still pre-op, but I can see this happening to me too. So I feel your pain. I read your profile, and I can tell you (based on my experience) that you already know one of the answers to your problem. THE DREADED EXERCISE! I know this, too, because no diet I've ever been on was as successful as when I exercised regularly. And remember, now that you're close to a goal weight for yourself, adding that regular exercise may be all you need to do!! But I also know how hard it can be to make it a regular part of your daily routine. But think about it, maybe you can still have your cake and eat it too. Try walking aerobically 5 or 6 days a week for maybe 45 minutes, and see what that does. It may allow you to continue to eat the way you've been. Then you wouldn't have to stress so much about having a bad day now and then. But I also agree with the other posters that lowering your carb intake and raising protein should help control the hunger as well. Best of luck to you. I know you can do it. You haven't come this far to give up now!!
   — Carlita

July 14, 2003
Kay, First you need to stop beating yourself up. You're talking about a measly 5 pounds. I gain that much in one day from morning until night. I also go up and down about 6 pounds throughout the month depending on my hormone cycle. What you described sounds like a hormonal (cyclical) occurence that will work itself out once you have your period. <p>If you are still up 5 pounds in a couple weeks, then you will have something to be conserned about. In the meantime, make wise choices in your snacks--lean meat or a protein shake, fresh fruit, fresh vegetables. Limit it to one of these choices, and you should be okay. Also make sure you are getting some form of daily exercise. It really does help. <p>I caution you in making too big a deal over this. If it causes you this much anxiety and fear, this may in turn cause you to turn to food to alleviate (self-medicate) that anxiety--then you really will enter into a situation where weigh regain becomes a problem. Try not to stress out. Take a deep breath, pray if you're a praying gal, and just do what you know to do. I wish you the best. <p>BTW, congratulations on your awesome weight loss!
   — artistmama

July 14, 2003
Hey, been there, ate that! LOL Seriously, I went thru this, too. Everybody's different, but here's what worked for me: <p><ol><li>Switch to an all-protein breakfast<li>Detox your body from carbs by eating very low carb for 3 or 4 days (warning: this is pretty hard the first couple of days--stick with it and you'll be glad you did)<li>When you reintroduce carbs, make sure they are not "white" carbs (white flour, rice, pasta, potatoes, refined sugar), but whole grain stuff and fruits and veggies<li>If you have sweets cravings, try using a sugar-free protein bar (for a long time I had a protein bar every morning for my mid-morning snack and it took care of my sweets cravings)<li>Allow yourself to eat small, frequent meals (it will help you feel less deprived to eat when you are hungry--just make sure it is protien first, then fruits & veggies, then other stuff if you have room)</ol><p>You don't have to be so strict forever, just until you regain control over your carb consumption and your appetite. You'll find that carbs beget carbs (the more you eat the more you want). If you find yourself slipping, then just go thru the detox again. You're right to want to do something NOW before 5 pounds becomes 50. The important thing is not the weight you gained, however, it's that you feel out of control. Once you feel in control again, the fluctuations won't bother you. "Snacking" is fine as long as you aren't "grazing" and keep to the protein first rule. In fact, I think that eating every few hours is the essential key to my weight loss and maintainance! (That and the protien breakfast. LOL) Good luck!
   — ctyst

July 14, 2003
Hi! Listen to Cheri... she has it in the bucket! :~)
   — Sharon M. B.

July 14, 2003
Lots of good advice from the previous posters. I agree with the protein breakfast-it does make me less hungry until lunch time then if I eat a carb breakfast. Also, drink more water. Water loading (drinking as fast and as much as you can) does make you full, at least temporarily. EXERCISE. I, too, read your profile. Regular, heart pumping exercise is KEY to keeping that weight off-without it I could not have my little snacks/treats. And eat frequently. I try to eat a little something whenever I get hungry- 1/2 a protein bar, some fruit, a slice of cheese wrapped in deli meat. Hunger is not good and if you ignore it, you will make the wrong choices. I'm not a believer in eliminating carbs, and I have to have some treats/snacks/bad carbs or sugars during my day (small amounts), but if I keep up all the rest, and weigh every day to keep me honest, it works for me. And I had my surgery a month before yours. Don't stress, your smart to catch this now, just make a plan, and follow it.
   — Cindy R.

July 14, 2003
I am only 6 months post-op and having a similar experience. My nutritionist said my cravings maybe a chemical imbalance. She suggested I try Evening Primrose Oil. I just started it last week. I have notice a small change. Not sure if it's the Primrose oil or I'm just getting better. I would follow the other suggestions and if you still having problems, try the Primrose oil.
   — june22

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