Emotions and Eating

[NCatena]

Hi everyone! I was just sitting here thinking.....(dangerous, I know!) I wonder how we are doing with the REASONS we all became obese in the first place. I think it's something we need to start addressing on a regular basis at group, or break off into smaller groups to do so. I don't ever want to be obese again. I have been given the assistance to be thin by Dr. Allam and the surgery, but will I gain it back someday? It happens! I have been doing a lot of self examination, and have been trying to understand my need to overeat in the past. Have I addressed those feelings? Have I overcome them? Anybody else???? Maybe I think too much! lol Just a thought!..............Nanette

[Brian (RNY)]

Nanette


emotional eating can be cured thru therapy
but if your gunna eat a cheese burger instead of a chicken breast your on your own only you can make the right decision.. think hard .. the recovery the pre test the new bettert smaller you..is it worth the cheese burger NO WAY .. ice cream have fat free.. have frozen yogurt its still creamy and cold.. right.. end the wrongs and impower the rights and they will help you fight those battles.
LOSING WEIGHT IS A WAR .. and you cant win the war without the right weapons..get your mind strong learn to choose right learn the good and bad and keep the bad far away.. and teach the others around you to choose right and if its not there you wont want it.. just be strong you can do it you have made the decision to have the surgery that alone is a giant step.. now little steps.learn to walk again.. it will take time .. slow and easy wins the race..

BEST OF LUCK
Brian

[NCatena]

Actually, I am 1 year out already, and have hit my goal weight.... a loss of 125 pounds. I never choose the cheeseburger, nor do I eat any ice cream! Low fat, sugar free, or otherwise. I have chosen not to, and stick to that! I am just concerned, in general, that some people are not facing their "demons", so to speak. There is definitely a honeymoon period with this surgery. A time when you feel that you can do no wrong, you are "all powerful", etc. But what happens when the honeymoon is over is what concerns me, not just for myself, but for everyone. Believe it or not, it's a little easier to say "No thanks" when you know you're gonna puke if you don't! Also, it's easier when we see those dramatic results we get in the beginning. BUT......there does come a day when you can eat more, when sugar doesn't bother you, etc. The day comes when you struggle just to lose a pound a month, or maintain your weight loss! I am still quite able to say "no thanks", ( and mean it!) but I am very fortunate. Others are not. Some people truly have an addictive personality. Food is their drug of choice. These issues need to be addressed. Preferably by a professional. Some people have actually had to have a revision of their proceedure. NOT fun! As a matter of fact, I am sure it is quite dangerous. So, before the honeymoon is over, I think we, as a group, need to learn to recognize and address these eating triggers. This is what a "support group" is for. (It is why there is a trained psychologist and a nutritionist in attendance.) For example. Did you know that dim lighting can trigger overeating? Restaurants know this, and cash in by making it hard to see the menu without a miner's cap on! Grocery stores know what items to put on the ends of aisles, to tempt shoppers along the way. Some people eat when upset, or very happy, or as a reward for "doing so well" on their diets! Again, I stress that this is truly the function of a "support group". If I wanted a cheering section, I would stay home! My family does that quite nicely! :D

[Brian (RNY)]

thats exactly what im saying...:D

[Sandy]

I really enjoy reading the message boards. It keeps me connected to all of you. I am 6 months out from my surgery and down 161 pounds. Something I did before I even had the surgery was change my eating habits and cut sugars and fatty food out of my diet. And I started exercising. I did lose 29 pounds before the surgery. But it took me 4 months. And it is a daily struggle. Food is everywhere. I found that since my surgery I am almost afraid to overeat. I have tried various things but I tend to stick to healthy foods and I follow a few simple rules, it is ok to leave food on my plate, I make healthy choices, and always eat my protein first. I would love to eat a greesy burger but I know I would suffer and be in the bathroom. I also found that my son is eating much healthier now since my surgery. It is a lifestyle change. I also seek support from others and let people know who I am, I belong to a 12 step fellowship and have been an active member for over 8 years. I truly believe it is One Day at a Time and sometimes I just have to re-group 1 minute at a time. I apply the 12 steps in aspects of my life. It is not about using drugs anymore, but I, like most of us, suffer from the disease of addiction. The disease manifests itself in many ways. We all ate compulsively or we would have been able to control and it and do it in moderation. I just know it is important to talk about you feelings and not stuff them, I know for me I used food, drugs, shopping anything to stuff the feelings I was feeling. Today I attend support groups on a regular basis,and I reach out and call people when I want to overeat. It is hard to change what we know all so well. What works for me is I pray on a daily basis I say please in the morning and thank you a night. I wish you all the best and I hope to hear good things from all of you.

God Bless

Sandy

[Brian (RNY)]

Sandy big hug and kiss for you 160 great congrats thank you for the inspiration