Question:
Longer term posties, who've lost control...can you reclaim it?
I've been spiraling out of control for a few months now with my eating. I grapple with it and can get back on track for a few days to a few weeks, only to go wacky again. I've already gained 15 lbs. I'm over 2 years post and went from 282 down to 132 and now around 145. I'm 5'2.5". I'm really doing a lot of binging. I have a lot of stressful things going on right now, but who doesn't? I am using these things as excuses. I'm eating like I did pre-op. If I dump or can't fit it all in (whatever it is). I wait until I can shove it in and do it. Has anyone reverted this far back to their old habits only to get a good grip and undue the bad they've done and gone on to be successful? For my height I really think I should be around 125. I still exercise on a regular basis/ walk 3 miles a day, 5-6 days a week and resistance train 2x week. I know it's in my power to do this...I just need a little moral support. I feel so alone. Thanks. -Kim open RNY 7/17/01 282/145/125 — KimBo36 (posted on October 2, 2003)
October 2, 2003
I am not that far out yet, so I can't give you advice that's been tried.
But I just wanted to let you know that I feel for you. Just remember
thought, that the surgery was a tool. YOU did the work and focused on what
needed to be done. Unfortunetly, most of us turn to food in times of
stress. Maybe instead of looking for the 'comfort' in the eating, when you
feel you've had enough, stop, then when the urge comes back to eat, take a
walk, a bath.... (I know, I know, you knew that was coming) Again, I'm not
at that point in this process, but I feel for you. and I hope all goes
well. We are all here for you!!!
— Dana B.
October 2, 2003
YES YOU CAN...I was 18 months out and found the same thing happening to me.
I gained 14 pounds from the end of June to the end of July. I started
following Atkins. Keeping to 20 gms of carbs. The only way I have been able
to do that is fitday.com. It is a fantasic tool. For years I was told to
keep a food chart but I never could, but with fitday.com I have been able
too. When I have finished entering my foods for the day, I print it and
keep it in a binder. When I started having a problem (weight gain again) I
was able to go back through several weeks and discovered that on the weeks
I had gain, I was not eating enough calories. Good luck
— bbjnay
October 2, 2003
I can really commiserate. I am a little over a year out and find myself
doing some of the same things. Hopefully just by being aware you can reign
yourself in. Try going back to basics and counting whatever works for you.
calories,carbs etc. I have been considering trying to find a therapist who
specializes in eating issues. I have never gone to one and don't know if
there would be any value in it but it surely can't hurt to try. Good luck
to you. You have come so far give yourself a pat on the back and realize
that it's a long road with bumps and curves. Don't beat yourself up over
it all. The cycle that got us to the point we were at pre-op is often
waiting around the corner BEWARE and Be aware. You can pull yourself out
of this. Believe in yourself! Penny RNY LAP 7/02 300/155/145 5'3"ish
— pcollin4
October 2, 2003
<font color="007000" face="tahoma">I am still a
new post op, but my Nutritionist had a wonderful suggestion... Make a
"get-a-way" basket and then put it in the kitchen, or where ever
your binging food is. The basket should contain all the items you need to
do something else, that has nothing to do with food... Such as candles,
matches, bubbles, a good book for a bath... Anything that you like to do,
like a craft project. You just have to make sure you have everything you
need, so you dont have to go back to get something. When you feel the urge
to eat when you know you shouldn't, take the basket as far away from the
food as possible.
<P>Good luck on your journey! Never give up! You can do it!
<I>~~Wendy D, RNY 4/23/03, -102 lbs~~</I></font>
— Wendy D P.
October 2, 2003
I think you can do it but it sounds like your mental processes are getting
the best of you. You know your BODY doesn't need the food but your
emotional brain is trying to get you to "feed" it. I read an
interesting article in Fitness this morning about cravings and head hunger.
They've done some research into what your cravings mean. If you want
something crunchy/chewy you are angry, anxious, frustrated, stressed, or
resentful. If you want something smooth/creamy you are trying to stifle
"empty feelings" like loneliness or low self-worth. I thought
that was interesting because in my experience it is true. Maybe if you get
some tools to deal with the emotional issues, you won't turn to food. When
my soon-to-be-ex started going to therapy, his therapist told him he needed
to build an emotional "toolbox" to help him in times of need. If
you don't have anything else to help you cope, you turn to food. But if you
build other "tools" to use then maybe you can deal with the
stress in another less destructive way.<p>I hope you can regain some
control. I know how scary it can be to be out of control! Best of luck to
you and I hope this helps.
— ctyst
October 2, 2003
Kim, it is so easy to slip into our bad habits, isn't it?
Emotions are hard to control and they do affect our eating. Your smart to
try to regain control now before it gets too far out of hand. First, your
NOT alone..many,many,many post-ops fall off the wagon (we are like
alcholics in that respect). However, on a good note though, the tool is
still there and will help you. You can climb back on the wagon. A few
suggestions though..seeing a therapist is a good idea. There are reasons
why we binge or lose control, find out what those are, and perhaps you can
defeat the demons. What will it hurt to try this route? 2nd, try upping
the intensity of your exercise. Walking, unless uphill and fast is not
heart pumping cardio and thats the type of exercise you need to burn those
calories. Then, get the junk out of the house. If its not there you won't
be eating it. Another tip that someone passed along to me: When the
cravings hit, drink an 8 oz glass of water very fast, and if the craving is
still there, drink another very fast. That usually stops the craving. It
does work. What about local support groups? A buddy you can call to
"talk you down" from your cravings?? And once you gain control
again, weigh daily. Its the only way to monitor what is going on. At
close to 20 mo post-op I allow myself a 2 pound leeway. Over that 2 pounds
and snacks start getting cut and exercise is upped until its gone again.
Its so much easier at 2 pounds than at 10 or more. Another side note: Are
you sure 125 is right for you? I am 5'3 and 145 is a nice size 10 for me.
I get to eat more calories to maintain a size 10 than if I was 125 and a
size 6 or 4. More food works for me! Size 6 may be nice but I love to eat
and often and hate to feel deprived...If I had to weigh 20 pounds less, I
know I could not eat my little treats as often as I do. The key here,
though, is to find what works for you. Try everything and anything. You
have worked too hard to let it all slip away. E-mail me if you need more
support. I'm here for ya.
— Cindy R.
October 2, 2003
Hi,
I am only 4 months post-op, but I recognized this problem early! I called
around and found a psychologist who specializes in eating disorders. I
made an appointment, marched into his office and said "I let a surgeon
cut out all my coping mechnanisms, now what the hell do I do?"
He is doing wonders with me; teaching me new coping skills, teaching me to
love myself. There is also a good site on the internet dealing with these
issues. It's www.coping.org
Good luck to you---we CAN beat these demons!
Huggs...Linda
— Linda S.
October 2, 2003
Hi Kim, I'm about 14 months out and right there with you! I
(unfortunately) have just discovered that I don't dump on sugar (I was
soooo good for a year!) and have been eating chocolate like crazy. I
definately feel out of control and need to reign in before it gets worse.
I don't have suggestions, but I do have empathy!
— jen41766
October 2, 2003
Of course. I get back in control with protein drinks. I drink one every 2
hours until I have things back under my thumb. If it's bad, bad, I'll
stack them even closer. It's not forever, just a day or so. Once I do that,
I seem to get things settled back down. I'd highly recommend the Grad list
for people who are 1+ yr out. You will see MANY who have hit the 2 yr wall
and lived to tell about it. Everyone has their own tricks to do it. The
link is.........
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG
— vitalady
October 2, 2003
I have the same thing. I also have an appointment with someone today to
work on this. When I saw my surgeon yesterday, he explained that having the
surgery and dealing with all the changes in a short amount of time was
(according to studies) as stessful as dealing with a loss of a
job,divorce, or death of a loved one. I agree with the first two examples
he gave but not the last one. Anyways- I will not let myself screw this up.
I truelly believe that you recongnizing that you have a problem is the
first step in overcoming it. Get some professional help. You have come too
far to mess this up. It is nothing to be ashamed of- just a bump in the
road that you may need some assistance getting over. Good luck.
— Jan S.
October 6, 2003
Kim,
You're not alone! I too am in the boat with you! I hope you find the
strength to overcome and get back on track. It seems like I assumed I could
keep the weight off as easily after the "window" had passed!
WRONG! I never made it to my goal, I am 30 pounds shy of reaching it, and
in fact have started gaining. I blamed it on hormone replacement therapy,
antidepressants.... but the fact that I can eat the forbidden foods again
without dumping, is my undoing! I don't eat a lot at one time, but I 'm
eating the wrong foods, too frequently. It's a lack of self-control. Just
like before the WLS yes we'll lose, but afterwards it's up to us to keep it
off! I hate to read posts of people saying 100 lbs gone forever or 98 lbs
gone forever, and they are still within the 18 month window, where it's
easy to get back into the losing swing. I lost 100 lbs in the first 3
months,nothing since then. Anyway, I wish you well, and hope you find the
answer. There is no magic potion, pill, or surgery. It all reverts back to
self control. Post again if you find something that helps, maybe it will
help others like myself! Take care! Anita
— Anita K.
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