Feeling Like a Pig

[MustangAli 9]

Im about 4 months out. I was doing very good. Then I wasnt...I was only eating about once a day. Losing weight though. I was told I needed to eat more, and now I can't seem to stop! I eat a lot. And I do get full faster but not like I think I should be. And Im having such a hard time staying away from sweets!

I just needed to vent and maybe get some advice.

Thank you

[Wheetsin 714]

At 4 months post op (with any WLS procedure) I'm not sure I'd agree that eating once a day was "doing good." Can you not tolerate food more frequently, or were you just not getting hungry? Limiting yourself to that single meal, your metabolism probably adjusted. By eating more, you may have upped it a bit, which is going to drive more hunger. Maybe try a few smaller meals instead of just one meal?

[MustangAli 9]

No. I was doing good before the eating once a day. I was doing 2 or 3 small meals a day and then I just wasnt getting hungry. I'm still not. I think its head hunger. But I would literally forget that I hadnt eaten all day. I would get this horrible emprty feeling. Im trying now to eat 2 or 3 small meals a day but its the snacking and the sweets that I think are hindering my weight loss. Im on a 3 week stall right now. I finally got to ONEderland and a total of 52lbs lost so I'm happy about that. Just wondering WTF is wrong with my head that these sweets are tempting me, and Im losing!!

I look at a cookie, and I think to myself....there's no way in hell its worth it. Next thing I know...cookie is in my tummy. Ugh!! I was good at fighting my temotation at first so Im hoping it's just a phase?

[Janese58 11]

This is my worse nightmare...sweets!

[Amanda131 214]

Hi Ali-

I think we are very close in surgery dates- I am 4.5 months out. I've found that things go south anytime I stopped recording my meals; particularly tracking Protein and carbs to make sure I am getting enough or one and not too much of the other. From the information you stated, I think your cravings could be fueled but not feeding yourself enough and by actually giving into your cravings. Some people find that anytime they give in and enjoy Cookies, cakes, etc. that they then crave them like crazy. However, they also state that the cravings subside considerably if they refuse to eat them for a while.

I am not sure what you mean by "2-3 meals" but if somedays you're literally only eating 2 meals then I don't think it's possible for you get the Protein you need to be healthy (and happy!).

Have you considered planning out your meals and Snacks for each day the night before? Then set the alarm on your phone to remind you to eat! Many times, stalls can be caused by failure to eat enough. Good luck to you- I know this can be really frustrating at times.

Amanda

[Becca 108]

You have to watch WHAT your are eating. I could eat tons of popcorn or chips if I wanted. If I eat Protein, like chicken, I can only eat a little. I always eat my Protein first. Also, with carbs, they really do create a cycle of cravings. When I keep my carbs in check (around 70 for me), I don't have many cravings. The second I start eating junk, I want more. I try to eat fruit if I want something sweet, because they don't cause me to want junk food. Around my TOM, I seem to be able to eat more and I have more "head hunger." When I work out hard, I seem to want to eat more. You just have to follow the rules when you are in the losing phase. The rules really do work: protein first, Water, and exercise. I have to remind myself of this too! I am trying to get back into the groove of things after going on vacation. You CAN do it though!!!

[dargar27 2]

I'm having that issue too right now. I had some chips on the 4th of July and they were the most delicious things in the world to me. I've been struggling to stay away from them ever since!! I have been on a major salt kick lately. really have to be careful and eat my Protein first so I fill myself up or i will get myself in trouble. I'm only 5 weeks out but I haven't had any food issues and can eat pretty much anything. I almost wish things made me sick but I do understand it's about using the sleeve correctly and re-learning how to eat properly and healthy.

You have to watch WHAT your are eating. I could eat tons of popcorn or chips if I wanted. If I eat Protein, like chicken, I can only eat a little. I always eat my protein first. Also, with carbs, they really do create a cycle of cravings. When I keep my carbs in check (around 70 for me), I don't have many cravings. The second I start eating junk, I want more. I try to eat fruit if I want something sweet, because they don't cause me to want junk food. Around my TOM, I seem to be able to eat more and I have more "head hunger." When I work out hard, I seem to want to eat more. You just have to follow the rules when you are in the losing phase. The rules really do work: protein first, Water, and exercise. I have to remind myself of this too! I am trying to get back into the groove of things after going on vacation. You CAN do it though!!!

[purple tulip 2]

I completely understand your struggle. I am the same length out from surgery and have found that even the smallest amount of the sweets/ carbs/junk all make me want and crave them so much more. It's a difficult pattern to get out of and harder than one might think. So I have to gear myself up to be prepared to fight those craving for a few days until it's out of my system and the craving then seem to decrease. Good Luck

Im about 4 months out. I was doing very good. Then I wasnt...I was only eating about once a day. Losing weight though. I was told I needed to eat more, and now I can't seem to stop! I eat a lot. And I do get full faster but not like I think I should be. And Im having such a hard time staying away from sweets!

I just needed to vent and maybe get some advice.

Thank you

[janinemaire 7]

Beside the sleeve, journaling our food is the next best tool. There are times when I can't even keep any junk in the house and there are other times it doesn't bother me. When I want something sweet I let myself have it but I usually wait a couple of days, if I still want it and I usually do, I'll eat it. Your weight loss is really good just see how you can have more of a balanced diet. Good luck, Janine