What did you replace food with?

[OneReallyBigBird 267]

Yes I agree with that, food addiction is very tough. It would be so much easier to be able to cast food away forever. To never eat another morsel of food. But we must play this balancing act.

Yes, maybe I should just take a minute to recognize what I am feeling, stress at work, etc and channel it elsewhere.

I think this is my main struggle too. Food addiction is hard to deal with bc it's like an alcoholic being told to have one drink a day. But I think exercise, writing, journaling, art, talking to friends. I think the main thing is recognizing your emotion when you're stressed or upset and want to eat and choosing to channel it. Just take a second when you're feeling the urge to eat and think about how ur body is feeling and how ur mind is feeling and parse out what the emotion is. If it's not actually hunger, think of alternative actions that u can take that aren't food. It takes a looong time to be able to do this consistently but keep at it

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When I started this journey back in March with my six-month pre-op diet, my first goal (even above losing weight) was to re-establish my relationship with food. Specifically, I didn't want food to be the focal point of everything in my life anymore. And that was a tall order and took some time, but it eventually happened. When I say that I replaced food with life, I meant that instead of obsessing over where and when (and what and how often) to eat, we think about what activities we are going to do on an outing. My partner and I leave Monday for a 3.5 week tour of Southeast Asia. Our planning has been much more about excursions (some even very physically active) rather than what kind of food we're going to eat. We get out and walk; we go to the movies; we go see the Christmas light displays. And more importantly, we see people; we don't avoid pictures, and we re-connect with old friends that we have been too embarrassed to face for years.

I have gotten food to the point of being fuel for me and nothing else. Sure, I want what I eat to be good. If not, I wouldn't have worked so hard to get all of my Protein from food so I could dump those heinous shakes once and for all. But every day, I remind myself that food is just food -- not a friend, not a companion, not a coping device, not a support, not a destination, not an event, not the centerpiece of life. I let food and my out-of-control obesity control my life for far too long. That is over.

Wow. You have such an amazing attitude.

Sometimes I feel like my relationship with food is like a bad romance, as I have truly loved food in the past, but now we just have to go our separate ways for awhile, because the pleasure just isn't worth all the pain.

Thanks for sharing your awesome insights and wisdom.

Don't look back, turn the page, and let your next chapter begin!

[OneReallyBigBird 267]

Yes definitely a hands on hobby. Coloring, drawing, knitting, woodworking, a rubiks cube, whatever.

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I definitely agree that finding a hobby is the answer. I'm a graphic artist and my surgery is on Wednesday December 14, and I know afterwards I will be trying to subdue any hunger in my mind, by being really productive writing and drawing.

Don't look back, turn the page, and let your next chapter begin!

[Fredbear 397]

I don't think about food until my phone reminds me to eat.

"When all is said and done, usually more has been said than done. "

[ayahbesleeved 63]

Yes definitely a hands on hobby. Coloring, drawing, knitting, woodworking, a rubiks cube, whatever.

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I definitely agree that finding a hobby is the answer. I'm a graphic artist and my surgery is on Wednesday December 14, and I know afterwards I will be trying to subdue any hunger in my mind, by being really productive writing and drawing.

Don't look back, turn the page, and let your next chapter begin!

.

ME TOO! Dec 14 ????

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[highfunctioningfatman 2,675]

Yes definitely a hands on hobby. Coloring, drawing, knitting, woodworking, a rubiks cube, whatever.

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An affordable hobby...

I did this one a few years ago.

[highfunctioningfatman 2,675]

These are some of my own personal projects.

From this with a dead engine.

To this.

Vehicles that we have stripped for parts and then scrapped.

[highfunctioningfatman 2,675]

These will get combined.

To make this for my wife.

[highfunctioningfatman 2,675]

Finally this one is MINE! I will describe it simply 500+ horsepower and a 6 speed! I have 90% of the parts and I'm hoping to start on it this fall.

[Fit4HisGlory 79]

Yes definitely a hands on hobby. Coloring, drawing, knitting, woodworking, a rubiks cube, whatever.

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An affordable hobby...

I did this one a few years ago.

SWEET!!!! I want a 1966 Chevy stepside. I'm always looking. That Ford is gorgeous!

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

[highfunctioningfatman 2,675]

Thanks! I worked my butt off on that one. It belongs to a good friend of mine. The first engine that I built was that flathead when I was 16. The truck was primer grey at that point. That is one of the few vehicles that I've ever told the owners that I would but it if they ever sold it. Like all projects, it takes time and money. Fortunately it wasn't my money!

[RunningWithScissors 74]

Everyone's response to this question is so positive and uplifting. Come on...someone had to replace the food with smoking, gambling or drinking. Just kidding (sort of.)

I used to smoke. I quit and promptly gained 70 pounds. I just replaced one addiction with another. Getting sleeved January 17 and so hopeful that I won't find another addiction to replace this one. I get what you are going through. It's tough.

[Raymia 565]

Well let me start trying some of your suggestions now. If I only thought about drinking Water as much as I think about a nice bag of chips I'll be great! Note to self go get a bottle of water : 0 )

[Ruth1ess 494]

I'm 8 months out and still looking for a replacement.

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[OneReallyBigBird 267]

Yes definitely a hands on hobby. Coloring, drawing, knitting, woodworking, a rubiks cube, whatever.

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I definitely agree that finding a hobby is the answer. I'm a graphic artist and my surgery is on Wednesday December 14, and I know afterwards I will be trying to subdue any hunger in my mind, by being really productive writing and drawing.

Don't look back, turn the page, and let your next chapter begin!

.

ME TOO! Dec 14 ????

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AWESOME! Good luck to us both!

We can definitely do this!

Don't look back, turn the page, and let your next chapter begin!

[LittleBill 2,231]

Everyone's response to this question is so positive and uplifting. Come on...someone had to replace the food with smoking, gambling or drinking. Just kidding (sort of.)

I used to smoke. I quit and promptly gained 70 pounds. I just replaced one addiction with another. Getting sleeved January 17 and so hopeful that I won't find another addiction to replace this one. I get what you are going through. It's tough.

When I started out, the doc said I had to quit smoking (my pipe and cigars), quit drinking (bourbon), and quit eating (food). I asked, "What's left!?!" So now I spend more time chasing Mrs. LittleBill around. Hey, at least it's exercise.