Emotional Eating

[dfwtxfemme 3]

so we can all agree that as overweight people we mostly eat emotionally or eat out of boredom how does it stop just from having surgery.... what do you guys do or does it just stop after making it through the liquid diets.... I have my own company I work really long hours I'm single and get home late picking up something to eat is just easiest.... my job is stressful though so I know I always snack with the TV or I'll snack when I'm driving across the Metroplex...i know sleeve is a tool, old habits die hard how did everything just stop we obviously have been unsuccessful in changing eating habits for many years.... I get it is much smaller..but i dont know..... I just don't want to fail

[mel_81_99 0]

I'm not at that point. 6 days post-op. So I am all liquids still, but great question!!

[Ready4success 380]

I'm an emotional eater too, but I plan all my meals in advance. If I don't, I end up going through a drive-thru and getting something I don't need. The fact that you still have to make the right decisions post-sleeve is hard, but if you plan in advance, it's not that bad. When I'm stressed or tired, I may eat a lot, but it was stuff that I was planning to eat anyway, so the bingeing is not that unhealthy. You may not feel so well, afterwards, but the guilt of messing up is not that bad. I overrate on my calories yesterday, but I messed up with Gouda cheese, broccoli, and hummus. Big change from my double whopper and fries days.

[Chicago1962 125]

This was SUCH a great question! Last night I was reading Eating Mindfully: How to end mindless eating & enjoy a balanced relationship with food by Dr Susan Albers. I'm only on chapter three so I can't recommend the book yet - but I shared this because even after four months and 100 pounds lost, I am very aware that I must continue to deal with my food addiction and certainly not think I am home free by any means.

You are right that our tiny tummies are just a tool. My sister had surgery a few years ago and her team told her that those who have surgery get about 18 months to get their &%$# together! (smile) Meaning - now is the time to deal with this and to learn new habits. They told her that those who develop healthy habits with food, exercise, stress management, etc. in those 18 months are likely to make it for the long run! I want to be one of them!!! You do too!!!!

You may notice that you may not crave the same foods you did before your sleeve. I have very little desire for sugar which was always my thing - but instead crave crunchy stuff now. I struggle the most at work and at night - which is really the majority of my day! (grrrrr) I take Breakfast with me, I definitely eat a super healthy lunch, and I grab a skinny starbucks when I want a filler in the afternoon. At night I get my Protein in and then I sometimes nibble on diet popcorn or rice cakes. And I drink as much as possible - Water, diet tea, etc.

You can do this. You've lost weight before and made good choices... it's just now you have a fighting chance to make it long term!!! I will say that I try to be very good to my tummy. I know that sounds weird - but I am so thankful for my surgery and try very hard to eat good things and care for my tummy. So far it's worked. I am amazed at the weight loss - and oh so humbled! I too am single andwork like a dog. You will find the things you need to do to get yourself through the stress. I'm learning to go to a walk - even for 5 minutes. You could jump on here if you need help in a stressful work situation - or when you are feeling down. We are all behind you!!!!!! You can do it!!!!!

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

I think mindful versus mindless eating is really the key.

I carry in my vehicle beef or turkey Jerky and a high quality Protein bar. Eliminates any need for a drive through. This requires a high level of diligence because it so easy to fall back to what is "easy" especially when you are tired or let yourself go too long between meals. I don't make it a habit to eat in the car, but it is better to munch on a little beef Jerky or a Protein Bar then stop off at a burger joint (if you do go to a burger joint, get a bunless burger - but this is another "plan" you can make to keep yourself on track.)

I often find that activities I do interfere with the ability to eat dinner at a normal time. for example, Sunday night I take my horse to drill team - I leave my house at 4:30 and don't get back until about 8:30 - 9. You need a strategy for that kind of thing - I basically split "dinner" into two smaller meals before and after as I need the energy but if I eat too early I am starving when I am trying to sleep. I have the same problem with gym nights - winds up being basically at dinnertime.

Perhaps identifying your own challenges and pre-planning strategies and creating a clear plan would help. The key is to carry with you what you need - have on hand whatever it is that you need to keep you from falling into eating junky, low nutrition food.

This isn't easy - you are definately asking the right questions!