How do you deal with emotional triggers in your post-op life?

[Ylime 453]

I'm very much an emotional and stress eater. I've been working on using other methods to channel those emotions and breaking that habit prior to my surgery.

However, my dad has chosen to give up his fight against cancer and is leaving hospice to be at home until his time comes. I know when he does pass it will be a truly heart wrenching time for my own feelings, but also supporting what my mom and brother will be feeling. Not to mention helping my kids deal with losing their grandfather.

I really want to find strategies now that will help me through this time. I don't want this to be the cause of me going off the rails.

I'm wondering what you all do or have done to stay on track through tough times.

[Danny Paul 761]

Losing a loved one is a very sad experience. My best wishes to your father, family and you. How will you be able to cope with this loss? Just remember your father would want you to succeed with your weight loss and to be as healthy as you can be. He most likely would not want you to go off the rails. So, when you feel the need to eat for comfort or emotion, take a step back and remember your father. Put down the bad stuff and look upward and say Dad thanks for being here for me and watching over me. Then choose a healthy alternative knowing that your father although physically gone will always be with you as long as his memory is in your heart. . My father passed away when I was young and every night before I go to sleep I keep him in my thoughts and close to my heart.

Stay healthy for yourself and for the loving memory of your Father.

[Orchids&Dragons 9,047]

I am very sorry to hear about your Day. Such a difficult time for you. I don't have any great suggestions for the eating, but I'll keep you and your family in my thoughts.

[Creekimp13 5,840]

So sorry about your dad. Been there, done that, and it's just hard.

How do I deal with emotional triggers like that?

Sometimes I just plain screw up. And get up the next day and try again.

Sometimes I try to redirect....to a comfort food that is a better choice. My current favorite comfort foods are Yasso frozen greek yogurt bars and watermelon. Sometimes I just say to hell with it...and let myself have them. At least it's better than really awful stuff.

Sometimes I do really really well....and stay away from food entirely and get into a bubble bath with a good book, or call my best friend, or go for a walk with my hubby or daughter...or even my dog.

Have some compassion for yourself. Losing a parent is a lot.

If you screw up, just don't throw in the towel. Get back on track. Screw up again, if you have to....but don't stop trying to get back on track.

Edited July 13, 2018 by Creekimp13

[Ylime 453]

21 hours ago, Danny Paul said:

Losing a loved one is a very sad experience. My best wishes to your father, family and you. How will you be able to cope with this loss? Just remember your father would want you to succeed with your weight loss and to be as healthy as you can be. He most likely would not want you to go off the rails. So, when you feel the need to eat for comfort or emotion, take a step back and remember your father. Put down the bad stuff and look upward and say Dad thanks for being here for me and watching over me. Then choose a healthy alternative knowing that your father although physically gone will always be with you as long as his memory is in your heart. . My father passed away when I was young and every night before I go to sleep I keep him in my thoughts and close to my heart.

Stay healthy for yourself and for the loving memory of your Father.

Thanks Danny. I do remember the last two times I was successful in losing weight, my dad was the first to notice. It's a good memory of him.

[Ylime 453]

21 hours ago, Orchids&Dragons said:

I am very sorry to hear about your Day. Such a difficult time for you. I don't have any great suggestions for the eating, but I'll keep you and your family in my thoughts.

Thanks.

[Ylime 453]

16 hours ago, Creekimp13 said:

So sorry about your dad. Been there, done that, and it's just hard.

How do I deal with emotional triggers like that?

Sometimes I just plain screw up. And get up the next day and try again.

Sometimes I try to redirect....to a comfort food that is a better choice. My current favorite comfort foods are Yasso frozen greek yogurt bars and watermelon. Sometimes I just say to hell with it...and let myself have them. At least it's better than really awful stuff.

Sometimes I do really really well....and stay away from food entirely and get into a bubble bath with a good book, or call my best friend, or go for a walk with my hubby or daughter...or even my dog.

Have some compassion for yourself. Losing a parent is a lot.

If you screw up, just don't throw in the towel. Get back on track. Screw up again, if you have to....but don't stop trying to get back on track.

Thanks - I do try and remember all the relaxing things I do on a regular basis and will work on using those during stressful food times. Bubble baths are good ones for me too. Glad to hear I'm not the only one that just gives in on certain days. In the past I have been good about getting back on track after those times, but the upcoming stress of losing my dad will be a completely new experience so not even sure how I'll handle it.