Question:
How best to deal with

I am 10 months post-op, down 81 lbs.& am very happy with my results. Unfortunately I found I can eat anything. When I am stressed or if someone upsets me I still reach for that handfull of pretzels or that bologne sandwich. How do you cope with these feelings and not give in?    — Phyllis H. (posted on January 20, 2004)

January 20, 2004
I remember when I was newly post-op I was upset I wasn't getting in all my water and protein. After a while I realized it was something I had to get to over time. I think overcoming emotional eating is the same thing. I am starting to make a list of things I can do to avoid stress eating. The #1 thing is to not go home right after work. Problem is I ususally go shopping instead.
   — mrsmyranow

January 20, 2004
I'm 2.5 years post and can eat ANYTHING (I do dump, but as I've always said, nothing I can't live through)...and eat in pretty good volume. When I first realized that about 6 months ago, I went bonkers with food, blinked my eyes and jumped up about 15 lbs. I'm back down with in a few lbs of my original low weight. I still want to grab for a candy bar when stressed at work, or a bag of munchie crunchies when I'm watching latenight tv. What I do (I know I'm going to eat no matter what rationale I use with myself) I try to have low cal/carb alternatives around...some WOW chips, or my favs. Crunchers by Atkins...a couple of Slimfast Snack bars...or My absolute favorites are the light Klondike bars. I can only buy a couple at a time, because as a constantly recovering obese person, if I have a case of anything in the house I go nutso and eat it all...I'm just a fat girl through and through, so tricking her is my best bet.I usually eat low cal/high nutrient dense foods for my main meals to balance out the calories ...like a little piece of Talapia fish, asparagus and a salad with Low Cal dressing. If I'm out at a restraunt, I tell myself, keep it simple. If I can't identify the ingredients I usually avoid it. I'm an avid food journal keeper, so I don't want to spend all night trying to work out the calories. KISS- Keep it stupid simple...is one of my many mantras. I usually shoot for a protein appetizer like skeward chicken as my meal and maybe steamed veggies, or a salad with grilled fish with low fat dressing on the side. There are times when I just WANT it, whatever the fattening food is, so I have it...and really try to work to make up for it the next day by eating a little less than normal (I think that's kinda what naturally thin people do without really realizing it). I do walk average 2 miles a day five days a week...not really setting the world on fire with exercise, but it's more than I ever did before surgery. I have developed hypoglycemia as a result of surgery and have gravited towards eating lower sugar foods...I HATE the sensation of my blood sugar dropping..it by far outways my dumping. I've by no means mastered this yet, my knees are bloody raw from falling down so many times...but I keep getting up, getting up, getting up....I will fight this disease till the bitter end. It *is* becoming a little easier. I have exercised routinely for two years now and it's become as much of my life as brushing my teeth or putting on my shoes...I do it because it's part of my daily routine...and a lot of my food routines *are* kicking in as natural habit as well....for instance I usually avoid starchy foods like potatoe, rice and noodles without really putting effort into it. Who knows, maybe by the time I'm 100 I'll know what it really means to be a naturally thin person. Hope this is helpful. We CAN do this... Kim open RNY 7/17/01 282/140/125
   — KimBo36

January 20, 2004
Remember... Nothing Tastes as Good as Thin Feels!
   — pjnick

January 20, 2004
How about changing your habit to be grabbing something to drink, like water, Propel etc.? Just a suggestion.
   — ZZ S.

January 20, 2004
I'm prone to snacking too, and it's easy to reach for the fast stuff that gives that instant gratification. So instead of the *bad* stuff, I make sure I have plenty of fast, HEALTHY snacks. I love Detour and Atkins Advantage bars so if I get a sweet attack, that's what I reach for. I also like peanuts, baby carrots right out of the bag with ranch dip, and pork rinds for those "crunchy cravings," and I also like cheese squares. I don't beat myself up for snacking - after all, we're still human - but I just make sure that when I do snack, it's something healthy. And it never hurts to be sure that I'm getting all my water and vitamins too, because I find very often that if I'm lacking in something my body needs, I will get the munchies REAL bad. Then I'm more apt to reach for the stuff I shouldn't have. I used to be a stress eater and still am in a lot of ways but it definitely helps if you can find healthy alternatives that will still satisfy that need for "comfort food." Then you can snack pretty much guilt free. Good luck and I hope this helps. :)
   — MomBear2Cubs

January 20, 2004
I'm trying to break this habit too, now that I'm 6 weeks out I can eat more freely and it's hard to avoid, but I do remember that chips and crackers are truly empty calories. When I want a snack, I like to grab a sugar-free popsicle, or ice cream bar. They are nice low-cal treats. If not that, I like to eat something that takes a lot of chewing (veges, protein bars, sf gum, etc) so I'll get sick of it and just switch back to water. I've also quit buying what I can't have, so I can't reach for it in an attack of munchies. My family doesn't need it anymore than I do anyway. Good luck and congrats on the great weight loss!
   — Dragonfly2B2