Afraid of getting back into old habits!

[breehuskins 18]

I'm so scared I'm going to ruin my weight loss. I do not work so my day consist of watching tv, light housework and maybe going to visit a friend. I am so afraid of getting back into my old rabbits of emotional eating. I'm working on getting a therapist that can help me a little but I still see myself wanting to eat bad things and too much of it!!! Help!!! If I could think if something that I could snack on that wouldn't take up a lit of room in mt tummy and wouldn't be bad for me that way i could have it when I feel the impulse to eat. I also am having a hard time getting myself motivated to walk. I can't really do a lot bc if my back and my arms. I go to my neurologist on the 5th about the pain in my arms. Any words of encouragement would help!!!

[smiley922 447]

Hang in there until you can get help. The main thing is to distract yourself when you have urges to slip into old habits. Do you have a friend you can call. I remember one night driving around Memphis cruising food joints, like an addict looking for street drugs. I was so angry that I could not just be bad, wanted to just pig out, my normal reward for being stuck out of town traveling alone for work, I ate, and I ate good. I called a reformed drug addict I knew and talked myself down off the ledge. Are you going to local support groups, can you find one, if you are not?

reach out here if you need to and no one else is available. Find a new hobby or project to immerse your self in. We fixated on this during the preop and the beginning post op phases, but once you are through them, it is easy to let the old habits slip back in because it is not new anymore. Remember your hard work and stick with it.

YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Edited October 29, 2014 by smiley922

[Jonathan Blue 311]

Keep strong. You are not alone. Try sugar free chewing gum. I find that just having something in my mouth and keeping it occupied helps. Also, try finding something else you enjoy doing. For example, I love mountain biking and I think it is such a high. Every time I feel the urge to overeat or snack, I just jump on my bike and go until I am satisfied. By doing this I am rewiring my brain to crave the emotional high of something good for me, in this case exercise, as apposed to the emotional high from food.

I hope this helps. I know it is hard. If you need anything at all, you have an entire community here for you.

[esskay77 785]

You say you don't work. Can you work? Not everyone can, either because of a disability or staying home with kids, or whatever so I thought I would ask. If you can, I would suggest trying to get a job--part time or full time. Or do volunteer work. This will help get you off the couch and away from the TV to start with and also give you a new routine.

If you can't then it would depend on your limitations but some people mentioned hobbies, mountain biking (don't discount that!), etc. These are really good options but I know how difficult mentally it is to try to get started doing them.

Partially, you need a whole new routine. I know that once I turn on my TV, I'm done for the day so I try to not turn it on for as long as possible.

You say sometimes you go visit a friend. Can you go for walks together or go to the gym together? Or even mall walk? Get a workout buddy.

Keep a food journal! Have a list of food items that are good Protein for you that you can have. Protein Bars are a good substitute for dessert (but read the labels and get the kind with the lowest amounts of sugar and a decent amount of protein).

Make up some good smoothies with Protein powder and turn them into popsicles for a nice treat. I also freeze grapes and eat them frozen--they get really sweet! Limit yourself to no more than 20 though, as they do have natural sugar. And only do this if your NUT has said you can have fruit at this stage. If you are still on soft foods, you can't do that.

Best of luck. Let us know how it goes.

[RedDirtRoads 64]

I don't know if this would be considered substituting one bad habit for another . . . just an idea. When I was pregnant I was put on bed rest and bored out of my mind. I discovered POGO, it is a online game site. I occupied a lot of time there, not just playing the games but talking to people online. They have conversations going on the side of the games and you can join in games that are geared toward conversations you are interested in (clean conversation, certain age groups). It is not an activity that is going to burn calories but it might keep you occupied enough to keep your mind off of snacking while you have limited mobility.

[breehuskins 18]

Yes I am on disability. I will probably find some work when I have list mire weight but as of now my pain level will only allow me to Do so much. I'm too heavy for a bike right now. I Luke the idea of the games ans finding a hobby. I would live to paint but finAncially its hard to buy all that stuff. I never thought about freezing my smoothies!! That's a great idea. I love popsicles!! thanks for all the great advice!!!

[Marathongirl 106]

I'm right there with you and I'm 8 months out! I've been seeing my therapist for other unrelated issues for over a year and a half, but emotional eating comes up a lot. The problem is that it comes on sooo strong and by the time you realize why you're craving food, its too late, you've already eaten it. I have broken a lot of bad habits (drinking soda, eating fast food, ect.), but this one is so tough.

One thing you could try is diet cocoa. I drank a cup every night for a week and it really helped. I lost 5 lbs that week just from not eating at night. Amazing huh? It's all mind over matter. Getting to the root of the problem will really help, but for now just try a cup of something hot at night and see if that helps.

Good Luck!

[esskay77 785]

Mmmm. diet cocoa! What a great idea! It is very comforting to have that warm beverage in your belly and it satisfies the sweet tooth. And the aroma! All great sensory things to satisfy many cravings.

Thanks!