Question:
help I feel I am eating through my surgery
I am 10months post-op and as of 4 months ago I stopped exercising and am eating emotionally again. I am eating all day snacking loading up on carbs I have not lost any weight in 3 months and I feel like my inches have gone up. I can't seem to get back on track no matter how I try. I've tried to eat just protein but I can't get through the day I have such head hunger. I can't seen to detox from the carbs or suger. In the beginning it was easy when I thought I would get sick on them but now that I know I can eat them I feel addicted again. I need advice bad. — Jenny W. (posted on August 12, 2003)
August 12, 2003
First of all....... GET back to exercising! Even if for just 20-30
minutes! Call a friend or someone that you can talk the "head
hunger" through! Give yourself at least 20 minutes BEFORE you eat..
then after that time IF YOU ARE STILL HUNGRY, eat a little protein. We
have available so many different products now for us that are low carbs,
just research or talk to others on this website! We are all in the same
boat and need that little EXTRA boost sometimes! Just don't give up! You
have come too far to return to that ole misery! Eat.. guilt... Eat more..
More Guilt, etc!
— BSB246
August 12, 2003
First of all you are not alone! Secondly, I would suggest that you get
yourself to a good nutritionist and/or a good therapist right away. (really
I would do both for a bit if I were you.) The only way to lose the weight
and keep it off is to completely alter your past eating habits and I hate
to sound dramatic but if you don't get a grip right now you probably never
will. I say this with much love and respect! I am a total carb addict and
without professional support I would be floundering terribly!
— Carol S.
August 12, 2003
I went thru the same thing at about 6-9 months out. You are right: You'll
have to go thru carb detox. Here's how I do it whenever I feel that my carb
consumption is out of control:<p>First, you go extremely low carb for
about 3 days: NO white carbs, NO refined sugars. What little carbs you do
have should be whole grain and/or "natural" fruits and veggies.
Eat high-protein mini-meals every few hours to keep your metabolism up and
to keep yourself from going nuts. :)<p>Do not get me wrong. The first
day or two is HARD. You will think you NEED those carbs. You do not. Stay
strong and tell yourself that it is only a couple of days. By day 3 you
will be wondering what it was about carbs that was so
attractive!<p>Keep to an all protein breakfast. That will keep you
from starving all day and you will eat less but feel more satisfied.
Introduce the carbs back slowly, avoiding the white carbs and refined sugar
in favor of whole grain foods and fruits/veggies. By this point you should
be able to stick to the "rules" (protein first, then fruits &
veggies, then other stuff if you have room) without too much of a
struggle.<p>When those carbs creep back into your diet, you just do
it all again!<p>This works for me. I hope it works for you! If you
have to, throw or give away all the carb stuff in your cabinets. Then the
trick is to not buy more!
— ctyst
August 12, 2003
I feel the exact same way! I am almost 11 months out and have not lost any
weight for the past 4 months. My eating is out of control, and I have been
thinking I need to 'detox' as well and get back to the rules. I also got a
flyer on an eating disorder anonymous meeting. I haven't gone yet, but I
feel that I need to do something soon or I will get fat again! Feel free to
email me at [email protected] We can work through this together!!! Good
luck!
— Jen D.
August 12, 2003
Has anything happened in your life that would upset that "emotional
applecart"? I know that for myself, I do great all week long, but on
the weekend when I'm home, I have to fight the head hunger like mad. Do you
work full time? If not, as silly as it may sound, try getting out of the
house more. Good luck, I know its a tough struggle . . . but you can do it!
Remember the little engine that could? I think I can, I think I can . . .
— lorien
August 12, 2003
I'm going to "echo" Bonnie's advice. If you're willing to search
for them, there are some very good protein-rich snacks out there. Not only
protein foods (turkey jerky, turkey pepperoni, just plain turkey lunchmeat,
cheese, tuna, etc. -- this from a person who didn't like protein foods as a
pre-op). There's also stuff like protein cookies and protein bars. There
are also some good protein shakes out there, but you gotta really be
determined to find them and learn how to make and use them. Look at GNC,
or your local health-food store, or online at vitalady.com and
wlssuccess.com, and there are many, many other sites with low-carb foods.
Some really don't taste good at all, but you gotta be willing to try a lot,
and to open your palate to new experiences and habits, to find the few
"anchors" that will get you through your day. For me, it was
turkey pepperoni and protein shakes (Proscore 100 Chocolate) and protein
cookies eaten with S/F yogurt. But I ate and drank a lot of cardboard
paste before I found those, and I now enjoy things like tuna that I
resolutely refused to eat as a pre-op.<P>You gotta do this. There is
no way around the protein thing to help detox you out of carbs and sugars.
And reliance on too many "sugar-free" products doesn't help if
you're a real addict, because often they don't stop the cravings. Once
you're detoxed, you can begin to retrain your eating habits for real
(protein, protein, protein). Get crackin' with the protein, and you CAN
make your tool work. Good luck!
— Suzy C.
August 12, 2003
I feel for you. I totally agree with Cheri. Detox the carbs (much easier
said than done, but if you can get through 1/2 a day, then you can get
through a full day, then you can get through two days--BE STRONG). I find
that head hunger is a monster demon. When it's lurking in the wings, I try
to either keep my hands busy so I can't eat (try picking up a craft hobby
for awhile, browse on-line, or polish your fingernails; you'll ruin them if
you eat while they're wet), or keep my mouth busy so I can't eat (either by
drinking something, eating something totally harmless like a sugar free
popsicle (just be careful this doesn't lead to more substantial food, or
sweets), or talking on the phone to someone). I've even had to remove
myself from the house if I know I'm going to graze. Taking a walk gets me
away from the food, and the exercise seems to diminish the cravings. Try
as many things as you can imagine to get things back under control. The
first few days are the hardest. You've done harder things (the decision to
have surgery, the first few months out, etc.); you can do this, too.
— Vespa R.
August 12, 2003
I would have to recommend reading the Pouch Rules for Dummies - not that
you are a dummy. Keep busy too, and work out, and drink, drink, drink your
water. You can do it!
— kultgirl
August 12, 2003
While I agree with and echo everything that's already been said, might I
also suggest that you seek out a councelor who specializes in eating
disorders - this might help you gain some perspective on why you are
sabotaging your diet and suffering from head hunger. Just a thought. Best
of luck to you!
— [Deactivated Member]
August 12, 2003
Jenny,
I"m right there with you girl, how-ever I'm 15 months post op, I think
I've fellen off the band wagon for the last 3 months, been gaining and
loosing the same 7-9 pounds, not a good thing, it's not easy by no
means,,, And as most of us MO people I believe we are all emotional eaters,
at least I can truly say that for myself, I could go on and on about diets
to go on, things to do, as I read them all the time, have done a couple
here and there, I think that it's a real emotional issue .. Nope didn't
say to see a shrink, like most of us, insurance won't pay for a shrink and
who has $$ to see one to tell them your everyday aspects.....
Problems and stresses, I know I surely don't, the last post was a really
good idea, over eaters annoymouse, I haven't thought about that, but that
is truly an idea there, no one would have to know that we had WLS, it's a
form of therpy but hey it's not as expensive, hang in there girl, we'll get
threw this, We're all human...not one person here is perfect by no
means...... We'll get back on that road again.. .Just hang in there.....
turn that frown up-side-down,
If you can come up with any other ideas, or would like an email support
buddy email me....
Many Hugs,
— tannedtigress
August 12, 2003
Jenny, your not alone, but unless you make up your mind to regain control,
it ain't gonna change. Exercise, while difficult at first, eventually can
become routine and works wonders to keep the weight going down by burning
those calories, and just plain makes you feel better and more
energetic(eventually!). Try tackling this in small bites so that you don't
overwhelm yourself. Try exercising for 5 minutes a day, then 10, then 15
until you are up to 30 minutes or more. Take pride in each small bite that
you accomplish. And use that same method for the diet too. If the thought
of giving up your snacks/carb/sugar cold turkey is too scary, then take
stock of the amount you eat in 1 day and cut that in 1/2, and only allow
yourself 1/2 spread thru the day. Pat yourself on the back when you do so.
Then cut it back to 1/2 of the 1/2 until it is such a small amount or
eliminated. I have carbs and sugars every day but I work it into the daily
diet of calories I am allowed, and only if I get in my protein. If I get
to the point where I am gaining or feeling too addicted, then I cut back
until I feel like I have gained control again. But sweetie, we can advise
and advise all we want, however, nothing will change until you decide to
take back the control and work out a plan and then do it. Like I said, do
it one step at a time to not overwhelm yourself or stress out. Counseling
is a good idea, so is overeaters anonymous, and even sharing this with your
gastric support group-you'd be surprised how unalone you are..
— Cindy R.
August 12, 2003
Get into counseling NOW! I'm speaking as one who lost 200 lbs on her own
and then regained it when a severe depression surfaced I never saw coming.
There are reasons you are choosing to sabotage your surgery and you need to
figure them out now. While my loss and regain happened before I had
surgery it wasn't any less devastating. I am so aware of the emotional
side of things and keep looking for any signs that there is a problem so I
can work on it before it's a huge issue. Getting surgery was the first
best thing you did for yourself! Getting counseling will be the 2nd best -
trust me!
— zoedogcbr
August 12, 2003
Let me tell you, I feel the exact same way at 3 1/2 months post op. I've
recently started getting back my head hunger and I can eat carbs like you
as well. I still stay away from carbs but tend to snack a little. So last
week I took my bum to the Vitamin Shoppe. Thank god I did! I bought some
tortilla chips that taste like the real thing that have like 2 carbs per
serving, chocolate covered soy crunchies (like co co crispies) that are to
die for, some SF vanilla syrup for on top of my Atkins Ice Cream and a
couple protein shakes in cans (cappucino flavor). There were all life
savers and I'm still losing at the same rate!! Good luck to you!
— SMG I.
August 12, 2003
Ditto what the other posters said, but the hardest thing for me is getting
through the 3 day detox. Here's what works for me: Don't limit the amount
of protein that you're eating those three days. Eat as much turkey, eggs,
beef jerky, etc as you want. Drink as many shakes as you need to get
through. If you think you're going to dive into the crackers, tell
yourself you have to drink a shake first (made w/ water!). Nine times out
of ten you won't want the crackers anymore. Your goal here is NOT to limit
calories, but to get off the carbs. This is the only way I can do it, and
even though it feels like I'm eating a TON, I invariable drop a couple of
pounds during those three days. After the detox, the protein shake trick
still works. If you find yourself wanting to eat something you shouldn't,
tell yourself you have to drink a protein shake first, then you can have
the "whatever". This usually takes care of the craving.
— mom2jtx3
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