What Has Been the Hardest Habit for You to Break?

[Alex Brecher 10,515]

Weight loss surgery makes you change so many things. In fact, if you are (or were) in the position to get weight loss surgery, there’s a good chance WLS will make (or made) you change almost everything about the way you eat. There are so many things you can’t do anymore after WLS.

You need to get rid of most, if not all, of the fast food and other high-calorie Snacks and meals. You can’t eat “the whole thing” anymore. You can’t ignore the nutrition facts panel and serving size. You can’t eat a bunch of sugar or refined carbs because it’ll make you sick or lead to cravings.

There are some other habits that you might have had that just don’t fit into your new lifestyle, too. Maybe you can no longer hit the bar and go drinking on Friday nights with your friends or coworkers, or you can’t even enjoy a glass of wine every night with dinner. Or maybe you’ve had to give up late-night TV to be able to get up early enough in the morning to take a walk or pack a lunch.< /p>

For me, I did not have too much trouble giving up a lot of my bad habits because I was so ready for a change. I was sick of my ridiculous diets and weight struggles, and was pretty much ready to do anything to end the fight. I enjoy healthy foods, so didn’t mind giving up most of the junk, and I am lucky in that now I am able to recognize a craving, plan to satisfy it, and then satisfy it without much damage.

What I think was the hardest habit for me to break is a simple one: cleaning my plate. I automatically always ate everything that was in front of me without considering stopping. I now, of course, consider portion sizes and work to keep restaurant portions reasonable. I do still get a sense of satisfaction from finishing whatever is in front of me, so I just try to keep “whatever is in front of me” small – I don’t serve myself much.

So, what is the habit that has been the hardest for you to break? What are your strategies for getting over that bad habit?

[LipstickLady 25,682]

My hardest habit to break actually started post op.

I've actually turned into a "foodie". My restriction is great and I eat very little per portion. I've grown to love all the fancy seafood salads, ceviches, cheeses, shrimp salads, fancy beef and chicken appetizers, etc. they sell at Whole Foods and other high end markets.

I get small containers and fill them less than half way but there are so many yummy things, I can't just buy one or two. I buy oodles of them and because I can't eat more than a bite or three, they go to waste.

Once a week or so, my family is subjected to salad and lots of containers of misc stuff to eat for dinner.

[sbg224 318]

Like I posted a short time ago, my hardest habit to break, are carbs. I want crunchy, salty things, which after the first 6 months, now 9 months out sleeve, I did not touch. Now that they are allowed, I want them and crave them, having a very hard time staying away from them. I am seeing a psychologist, so in time hopefully this will be a habit behind me forever. I am tired of obscessing over something and caving in. I will even go to a store to get it, if it is not here.

[her1981 448]

I'm still struggling to control portions. Over-serving myself and then trying to eat it all. It is horrible!! I had been using a small bowl for my meals for months and lately I've been using a regular size plate. Huge mistake. So I'm back on my small bowls to see if I can't get control again. :-(

Oddly, I don't struggle with food choices. I'm ok with the low carb diet.

[LipstickLady 25,682]

I'm still struggling to control portions. Over-serving myself and then trying to eat it all. It is horrible!! I had been using a small bowl for my meals for months and lately I've been using a regular size plate. Huge mistake. So I'm back on my small bowls to see if I can't get control again. :-(

Oddly, I don't struggle with food choices. I'm ok with the low carb diet.

I am 3 years out and I always ALWAYS serve myself from salad bowls or bread plates. I use minuture utensils mist of the time, too. I bought cute little forks and spoons at Crate and Barrel when I first had surgery to force myself to at slower. Now I use them to eat out of habit. Those or chopsticks.

[Christinamo7 4,042]

the hardest habit was that I would wait too long to eat, and then eat too much in a sitting.

learning to portion out my food and eat slowly is not always compatible with my home/work situations - but I am continuing to find ways to make it happen.

I have to portion out my Snacks and meals for the most part on Sunday so that I can grab and go pack my lunch bag during the week.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

Pre-op, I had terrible sleeping habits. That led to late nights watching TV, ruminating, and being tired the next morning. Naturally, those behaviors and feelings led me to the refrigerator late at night. I didn't do lots of caloric damage, but any damage sent my weight in the wrong direction.

Now I've redesigned my schedule so hubby and I almost always go to bed together. I get more rest and more sleep and rarely snack late at night.

To help me get better sleep (and not eat at night), I now:

* Brush my teeth when we go to bed (another bad habit I used to have)

* Put a glass of Water by the bed in case I get thirsty in the night

* Keep a bottle of melatonin by the bed, for those nights I'm not settling down easily

Of course, I am much more active -- and therefore less stressed -- than I was 100 pounds heavier, so that helps me fall asleep easier.

I'm working on other behaviors, but changing this one has made a big difference.

[MissMac 163]

Night Eating.

[OKCPirate 5,323]

@@Alex Brecher - I'm with you. When I was a kid, my mom and all the other women around me always pushed all the kids to "Be on the Clean Plate Club." So it is tough for me to say "full, that's it." I actually bought smaller plates post surgery. It's that strong of a drive even today. Damn growing up in the 1960's and '70s

[Dub 9,922]

My hardest habit to break........by far........is eating fast.

I still struggle with that aspect.

[Christinamo7 4,042]

My hardest habit to break........by far........is eating fast.

I still struggle with that aspect.

I only struggle with this if there is a lot of craziness going on (hub yelling at video game, teenagers arguing that sort of thing) I can no longer eat and watch the news. I find I am eating fast and then feel sick.

[Dub 9,922]

My hardest habit to break........by far........is eating fast.

I still struggle with that aspect.

I only struggle with this if there is a lot of craziness going on (hub yelling at video game, teenagers arguing that sort of thing) I can no longer eat and watch the news. I find I am eating fast and then feel sick.

Excellent point.

You just nailed down something that I've missed. I can't thank you enough.

I've been stressed the hell out at work.....and somewhat at home. I have near constant noise and distractions and have been "getting mine" in time of turbulence. I choke it down or worse.....Graze Under Pressure. Bad, bad juju.

I vow to you and all at BP that I will forevermore make my meals a time out from whatever is going on.....whatever noise is happening around me.......make them moments of peace and free from outside stimulations. My moments. I'll take my time and savor the flavors.....and chew my meals happily into a purred state. Gonna adopt this practice immediately.

My prediction is that I'll now control the time, place and setting of my meals. I'll equate them with relaxation and a true break from stress. I'll slow my roll when chewing.

This begins NOW !!!!!

[kat27641 34]

To the fast eaters - what methods have you used to slow down?

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[Mamapiller 52]

@@Alex Brecher - I'm with you. When I was a kid, my mom and all the other women around me always pushed all the kids to "Be on the Clean Plate Club." So it is tough for me to say "full, that's it." I actually bought smaller plates post surgery. It's that strong of a drive even today. Damn growing up in the 1960's and '70s

Totally agree. I grew up in the 80s and we were poor, therefore, not finishing what was in front of you was not an option. When I was old enough to be on my own, and was not as financially challenged, I'd still tell myself that it was wrong and wasteful to leave anything on my plate!

Sent from my KFASWI using the BariatricPal App

[Christinamo7 4,042]

@@Dub

for me at work how this works out is I have 3 places I can eat. the break room if it is quiet (not usually) my office with the door shut and the big light OFF. soft music playing (most of the time) but if it is one of those days when I know I will be hunted down in the office then I go out to my car, sit in the back seat (more comfy) and play quiet music. I have a little lap desk that serves as a table. Do whatever you need to do to make mealtime a pleasant, quiet place for you to hit the reset button.

At home I have had to get mean and ugly with the family from time to time. it doesn't hurt them to pipe down long enough for me to eat my meal. I do an awful lot for all of them and really don't ask for much. but I also have three spots at home where I can take my meal so that I can find peace and quiet. The kitchen table, I have a table in the living room and the outside deck table. at 3 months out they have all mostly learned to save the drama for a half hour after I am done eating.