Another confession - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Brooke220 · 08-13-2006, 07:26 PM

Since Holly decided to be honest I thought I would let everyone know that I'm having a real struggle with food right now. Suddenly, I want to snack all day long -- and most of the time it's not because I'm hungry. I'm feeling some stress and pressure now because of different things going on in my life; that's the only reason I can think of, I feel totally out of control right now.

I mean today I had a normal breakfast; but then I ate crackers with tuna salad at mid-morning; followed by 3 finger sandwiches, potato chips, and pickles at my niece's baby shower; then came home and ate leftover crawfish casserole over half a biscuit; then a couple hours later I ate a hot dog; then in another hour I ate more crackers and tuna salad. I mean, I guess they're small amounts each time but that's still too many calories -- and I know it; I avoided the cake at the shower, but I should have avoided the chips, biscuit, crackers, etc. and I felt stuffed to being sick after the crawfish.

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! These are habits I need to overcome -- and I thought I had overcome. The old Brooke is still alive and kicking, I guess. I'm scaring myself, too. I don't want to gain this weight back -- heck, I'm not even finished losing yet.

Any suggestions or advice would be helpful right now. Has anyone else gone through these periods; and how did you get yourself back on track?

tinkermel · 08-13-2006, 08:09 PM

I cant offer advice, as because I am in the same boat.. I am not hungry, but all I want to do is snack.. I dont know if it is cause of stress or what - but it is making me very upset that I am sooo weak and give in.. I even get up sometimes before I fall asleep just to eat something!!! I soo am going to try again tomorrow - to start fresh and just be good! I hope!

Cinerbelle · 08-13-2006, 09:56 PM

You are a lot further out from me, so I'm probably not the best person to give advice....but maybe you should read the Pouch Rules for Dummies and put a plan into action to start slowly incorporating the rules back into your daily life. Or, try munching on celery or something that isn't going to rack up the calories.

Mavisavis · 08-13-2006, 10:26 PM

I totally understand. I have been way stressed lately too....lots of changes, and most of them not so good. I have been using drinks and exercising first, then cleaning, reading, journaling, etc. Then I try using healthy snacks if my mind will not get off food. And I almost always stick to my new snack rule (must be fruit, veggie, or have 5 grams of protein or more......or be eaten along with something that does). But once in awhile I have a bad day or part of a day. I try and remember that beating myself up and the all or nothing thinking, majorly contributed to my obesity in the first place. I'm glad I am not facing this alone. Hang in there you guys.

Blueyz · 08-13-2006, 11:23 PM

I had to go and buy a ton of sugarfree gum and chew until my heart is content. I know that Bridget recommended chewing on celery sticks. I tried that, but couldn't handle the taste and it made me burp, but you burn more calories chewing it than what they are actually worth...if that makes any sense. Try to walk away and think if you are truly hungry or not. I walk in the kitchen, look in the cupboards and ask myself if I am hungry and if I really want to eat because I am stressed. Sometimes, I convince myself and eat wrong. Sometimes, i convince myself and grab a cheese stick (better choice) Sometimes, I just don't go there, i come here and read posts to keep me busy. Most of the time, I am ok, but there are days when I totally blow it. It gets harder as time goes by...I just go back to basics and chew my gum. Water loading doesn't always work for me...but it is worth a try.

If I absolutely have to eat something sweet, I know this is bad, but I have a Tootsie Pop because it takes forever for me to eat and satisifies my sweet tooth...sounds terrible, but that is just me. Terrible me.

Gina in NY · 08-14-2006, 05:28 AM

Water, I mean. I'm not far out at all, still trying to remember that I'm not hungry, but when I open the fridge (even knowing Gretta can't fit anything else in) I figure I must actually be thirsty. I grab some crystal lite or whatever or a protein shake. Also I'm making sure I don't eat and drink at the same time - just that alone helps me.

Stress is stress you know? We gotta find all our other coping mechanisms and use them full tilt - not like its easy - BUT - that is the mountain we "stress eaters" have to climb.

Just one thing though, when I post about how I'm eating too much when I'm all stressed out right before concerts in a few months, will you please remind me of what I'm saying now??

LisaM · 08-14-2006, 08:16 AM

Just remember, kidlings, they didn't operate on your head, just your stomach. Your body wasn't driving you to food even when you were heavy--it was your head.

You are not terrible, you have not killed yourself because you have a day of the munchies. That's the all or nothing thinking that also kept us all heavy, and put us in the place where we ended up having the surgery. "Oh, I slipped off the diet for one meal--now I've broken it, so I might as well eat dessert, too." Stop that!

My solution was to get busy. When I was quitting smoking, every time the thought crossed my mind that I wanted a cigarette, I did 20 crunches. That's one way. And I agree with Gina - every time you head for the food, get water/tea/Crystal Light instead. If you still want something 30 minutes later, then have it! Do that enough, you'll spend more time in the bathroom than the kitchen...

LisaBoston · 08-14-2006, 08:30 AM

Once a month (you know the time) I get the munchies, but similar to Marty, I reach for good foods if I need that something extra. Whitney also suggested pepermint herbal tea and that works good too.

I am a firm believer that it generally thirst that we are needing...so drink as much fluids and variety that you can.

Brooke220 · 08-15-2006, 05:31 AM

The all or nothing thinking "is" what got most of us here in the first place. And it helps that my stomach gets fuller much quicker. I wonder if, at almost a year now, my stomach is as large as it will ever be. Any ideas?

coptergirl · 08-15-2006, 06:26 AM

Many times when we think we're hungry, we are actually thirsty, but we are so out of touch with our bodies that we misread those signals as hunger. Try fluid loading...if you're stil hungry 30 minutes later, then plan plan plan a smart snaky-poo...