Emotional hunger

Flower1 · March 19, 2006

I just had my lap band surgery on 3/13/06 and am walking 3 miles/day. I feel emotionally hungry. I feel like I am being deprived of fun food. Tonight we went to the movies and all I could think about was popcorn and candy! How have you survived this?

Jaclene

3/13/06 280

gentlespirit · March 19, 2006

Try to keep reminding yourself that "fun food" is what got you to the point where you needed the band. I don't have a good answer, because I struggle with eating in the evening...so I try to keep myself busy with crafts or sewing or something...and if all else fails, I have a couple of sugar-free popsicles. Good luck!

Emily

PhotoNut · March 19, 2006

Fun foods rob you of a fun life. Your band is going to protect you now by helping you control the amounts of food you eat. Take this time to start retraining your brain. food is not fun. Living is fun. We eat to live. And in order to live well, we eat well.

New band. New mentaility. New life!

Aint it great!?

cashley · March 19, 2006

I just had my lap band surgery on 3/13/06 and am walking 3 miles/day. I feel emotionally hungry. I feel like I am being deprived of fun food. Tonight we went to the movies and all I could think about was popcorn and candy! How have you survived this?
Jaclene

3/13/06 280

I agree and think it's depressing! It's just so frustrating when everyone else can enjoy food, candy, birthdays, weddings, etc. and I'm always "No I'm on a diet" "No thank you I don't want any" (Lie)

The thing is I want that stuff.. I'm tried of pretending like I don't and I'm tired of thinking about it.

PhotoNut · March 19, 2006

It's just so frustrating when everyone else can enjoy food, candy, birthdays, weddings, etc. and I'm always "No I'm on a diet" "No thank you I don't want any"

Just out of curiosity. What does these folks look like? Are they overweight?

Some people appear to be able to eat this stuff and still maintain good health, when in fact even thin people can have heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. Most folks don't get that from eating healthily. Try not to be angry at your choice to be healthy. You are not depriving yourself of anything that is good for you. Why would you be unhappy about refusing yourself things that will make you ill?

I think we all struggle with this, and I believe that it comes down to having to retrain our way of thinking. When you get angry about not being able to have cake or candy.. turn your thoughts to the truth. What that type of stuff does to you. *chuckles* Its the same thing I used on myself after a divorce. Everytime I missed him, I made myself stop and think about the truth.. the facts of how things really were, and I stopped missing him. The same can be done with food. It's all in your choosing.

patty103 · March 19, 2006

I went to the movies the other day with my aunt and I resisted buying popcorn, then here it came beside me. So that was all I could take, I ate hers. But as long as I am aware of what I am doing and take the calories into consideration, I still do all right, I still lost 2 pounds this week which put me over 100 in 9 months, so it has slowed down. We can't strive for perfection, just be very aware of what we are doing, don't let anything go into your mouth with out being aware of what you have done, and make better choices other places. It is all about choices, yes I agree the best thing would be to avoid it totally, but we are human and that is not always possible, and this is a lifestyle change, not a few months of sacrifice. The main thing is not to say like I said preband, well I blowed it today what else can I eat. that is what got me into trouble, not just a little popcorn, or another small indescretion. And I do agree what helped me was just remembering what this stuff did to me and how awful I felt after I had eaten it. That alone was enough to make me quit after a few bites..And it does get easier as time goes on.

bandayed · March 19, 2006

It is hard at first when you are on liquids & mushies only but once you get back to same more real foods, you don't feel as deprived. Eventually you will be able to have a little bit of popcorn or a treat. Those things don't have to be gone to you forever. It's just about making better choices for the long run. For now, try to Celebrate in the good things you are doing for yourself, and know that celebratory foods will be there later once you can know better how to use them wisely...........

Flower1 · March 21, 2006

Thank you all sooo much. I feel like I have a whole bunch of you next to me. That is really odd for me as I am a VERY private person and I only told my 19 year old son about the band surgery because I had to have it out of state and needed someone with me. He has been very supportive and helpful. Nonetheless, it is great to have others who have been where I am or are there now. Cashley, I feel your pain, I guess we just have to stay busy and as Photonut we need to stop and remember the truth. I can even use that to remind myself of my ex! Thank you all again!

CCBSTX · March 21, 2006

I may have a different philosophy...During the healing weeks, I thought of my own children. If they had a surgery and the surgeons orders were _____. Then I would make sure they'd take care of themselves. Take care of yourself and the band. Let it heal, in place, and not be disturbed.

I also, feel that I can lose weight and eat for "fun" on occasion. I am trying to learn moderation and the band helps me for that purpose. Counting calories, during my losing stage, helps me figure what I can have for "fun."

Just a thought. Shawn

Flower1 · March 22, 2006

CCBSTX, I agree and I am very anal that way, I have had no "fun food" and am doing better emotionally. I hope I survive the next weekend!

ErinR · March 22, 2006

After my surgery (and during the pre-surg diet) I went through a mourning period. I mourned the loss of my 'friend', my 'love', my obsession. I remember during the pre-diet I went to the State fair with my family and I stood looking down the longggggggg row of food vendors and I started crying. I was so embarrased that food could have that kind of pull over me. My family felt bad eating in front of me which made me feel worse. I'm glad I went through it though. I said goodbye and I went on with surgery because I thought these things are not forbidden to me, but I will choose to moderate myself in the future. I used to think about food constantly. As soon as Breakfast was done I was snacking and thinking about lunch. Now, I don't think about food at all. It is soooo weird to me to just not care about something I was once so obsessed about. I have gone to bday parties and I take a little tiny piece of cake and enjoy some ice cream. I have a good tight fill now so I can't stuff my face.. but even better than the fill is I don't WANT to stuff my face anymore. I'm happy with my little treat. I have had popcorn and enjoyed it as well. In fact I keep the little 100 calorie pack bags around for a snack. Go through your mourning period and embrace it! Your relationship with your old love is changing... and isn't it a B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L thing!!!!:biggrin1:

Flower1 · October 28, 2006

I am doing much better with the emotional hunger. I still can miss the fun foods, but a taste has become enough for me. The band really works in that way. I think that the band is certainly a great tool, but time is the mind setter. I set little goals and next big goals. I don't even focus or look at the ultimate goal.

I also had planned on getting through all of my clothes and giving them away before I wasted money on clothes I would shrink out of, but I started feeling frumpy and unkept, so I went on a shopping spree and feel great again. Ready for the next goal!

Take Care,

J

2/13/06 Pre-op 289

3/13/06 Surgery 280

10/28/06 242 (next little goal - break 240, next big goal - hit 225)