Question:
Does anyone else hide to eat?

I am so ashamed of my weight and paranoid of what people think when they see a fat person eating. When I run to a fast food place for lunch, I bring it home to eat, and I put it in a grocery bag so that neighbors cannot see. Is this pitiful or what? I have been pre-op since March and it is inching closer to the big day, so I am getting in a lot of 'last suppers'. I just worry too much about what others think. Can anyone relate?    — [Anonymous] (posted on October 5, 2001)

October 5, 2001
Life's too short to worry about what other people think. Besides, other people are usually too busy worrying about what you think of them. Just relax and be good to yourself.
   — [Anonymous]

October 5, 2001
I can definitely relate. And one of the joys of being post op is that now I enjoy eating in front of others just so I can show them how little it takes to fill me up. If you go through the old questions, there's one about "a day in the life of an obese person". Many of the people who answered that question talked about hiding when they ate. So you are definitely not alone. Now that the surgery is getting close, try to enjoy those last meals, your days of hiding your eating and yourself are almost over. Bless you.
   — kcanges

October 5, 2001
PLEASE, one of the reasons I like my attached garage is because I can pull in with fast food and close the garage door without people seeing. The house I owned before didn't have an attached garage and I just knew my neighbors were watching me as I constantly brought home fast food. Now what's weird is when I eat out in public, I get what I want and usually don't care who's looking -- I have never looked at myself as fat until just last year when I started to really see myself. I am now 15 weeks post op and purposely go outside when I'm wearing something cute (ok yes there are cute single neighbor men nearby). What a switch huh? I can totally relate. And the caring what others think won't totally go away either -- it will just change. You'll wonder if anyone notices your weightloss. You'll wonder if people are looking at what you're now eating. It's kind of fun though. Good luck and God Bless!
   — Kimberly L.

October 5, 2001
I can definitely relate to your question as I pick up something, usually fast food, for my lunch and end up eating in the car usually, hoping and praying someone doesn't drive or walk by. Sad but true! I don't even take bites of my food while driving when there are cars passing me or driving beside me, especially at stoplights. This is very hard to do with ice cream though! I can't wait until I am postop. I am sure I will be amazed at how much time and energy it took to avoid those situations. Good luck to you on your journey and know that you're not alone. Take care and God bless.
   — Karen L.

October 5, 2001
I can TOTALLY relate! Pre-op, I was known to stop at one or two fast food restaurants to get all of my "faves" and I would hide the bags from the first stop under the seat or in my bookbag before arriving at the second so that no one would see. However, once I got my date, and was getting all of those last great meals in, I didn't care who saw me, because I knew that it would all be changing very soon. I would stop worrying what others thought, and enjoy the food while it lasts!
   — blank first name B.

October 5, 2001
You know what is so ironic? Yes, I did hide when I ate before I had surgery. I did not want anyone to think that I was eating all the time, and I am sure that is what people were thinking when they saw me eating, but the killer is now I hide when I eat and I am post op. When I am eating meals with co-workers or friends that always comment on the fact that I eat extremely small portions. I have a friend ( who does not know I had surgery) who always says that I waste food, because I never finish. I am the happiest I have ever been (even though my mother has just passed)and this surgery is the best thing that I have ever done in my life, besides the birth of my son. GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
   — Chinwe B.

October 5, 2001
I along with the others, can agree with you. my daughter begs to go into the restraunts and I refuse! I also think that people can be crule.
   — [Anonymous]

October 5, 2001
Isn't it awful how society has made us so ashamed of ourselves. We know those people at the drive thu are watching what we eat - I have gone through several drive thu's if only because my son wants something different than I do. But I will hide the bag and the pop because I don't want people to see what I have already gotten. I can't stand the lady that lives next door to me so I don't care what she thinks when I bring in fast food - but I will definately be thinking about the people in the house on the other side. I did used to stop at the fast food on my way to work to eat a meal so that when I got to work I wouldn't eat as much on my break. I put on a lot of weight like this too. Now that I'm post op I am thinking all those fast food runs will change. I'll be saving money just to pack. And I have found that I'm not really caring what people think because I am loosing weight and I'm proud of myself. I'm willing to bet this will happen to you as well. Good luck. Kim
   — K T.

October 5, 2001
Honey, do you really think your neighbors are watching you? They have no lives? Don't be afraid to eat in public. I go out all the time and I am a big girl...coming up on my big day too. I will not eat alone, but my dinner dates are usually my (fat) son or one of three truly gorgeous men. My husband or my two best friends. The public will look twice at the fat woman and the good looking guy...but won't care what she eats. (The best revenge is my younger body builder friend...girls drool and he only has eyes for me.) When I go with my son we chat and joke and have a great time. People see my confidence...and will not care what I eat. Don't worry about other people...they are too busy with their own problems. Take care.
   — valerie S.

October 7, 2001
I've eaten in cars, driving from fast food place to fast food place. I've eaten in closets and in bathrooms. Most MO people I know are just like me. We are so ashamed of our out-of-control eating that we hide. And the more pressure people put on us, the more we hide. Yes, I can definitely relate.
   — Kathy J.

December 6, 2001
I thought it was just me....
   — Tinadelve

March 6, 2002
I thought I was the only one.. because most of the overweight people i know could care less..
   — [Deactivated Member]

July 3, 2002
I can relate you sound like me totaly. Mc D's and Dominos are gonna go out of buisness if I ever get this sugery. Heck my boyfriend brought home a chocolate creme pie the day befoe yesterday it was gone the next day.. o^_^o yes embarest ashamed but it was so good... couldnt help myself..
   — Tina R.

July 3, 2002
Wow! I wrote this question almost a year ago, anonymously because I was so ashamed. It is nice to see it again as a reminder of how far I have come. It is also added to the list of one of the things that I don't miss. What a wonderful life it is now. 15 lbs. to goal and eat in front of ANYONE now! God Bless those of you not yet on the other side...get ready for a wonderful life change.
   — Cheri M.

July 9, 2002
I too am ashamed to eat in front of strangers. I am especially afraid to eat alone in a restaurant. It's like I have an anxiety attack or something and I get incredibly paranoid that everyone is looking at me and making comments. It is very embarrasing and nerve-racking. I cant wait for the day that I can sit confidently and have a meal like a normal person. (First surgeon appt. July 25th)
   — Wendie G.

May 13, 2003
I buy sweets and hide them from my husband. He travels for business a lot, so I just hide the snacks in the cabinets, however when he is due back, I try to remember to throw stuff out. I had forgoteen a few times and he had made a few hurtful remarks. I hope my cravings will be gone after I have surgery and I'll be in control.
   — love to shop

Click Here to Return