itzbrittaanyx3

Honestly it's hit home over this past year as to what it must be like being a recovering alcoholic. I've heard that many people don't look at ever beating it completely. It's a constant battle where you have good days/weeks/months/years and others are a struggle. I effing loved to smoke and I never thought I'd be able to quit smoking. Was a really tough first year but got through it. Going on something like 7 years now since I quit and there are times where I'd love to have a smoke. I don't dwell on it for long an it passes, but every now and then those urges come up. food is going to be a tougher battle for me.

I have eaten every 1.5-2 hours (now closer to 2 hours) apart all along this journey. So that has me eating 7-8 times a day. I just have specific macros that I stick to, and I only eat certain things (basically meat, eggs, cheese, and green vegetables).
Eating in this kind of cycle has been both productive and sustainable. There is no issue with frequent eating if you set it up the right way.

If you feel that you have an actual addition problem don't be afraid to reach out for professional help. I've often said that struggles with food can be as bad as any drug addition. There are days where I drive through town and it's hard to not veer off to the gas station for junk food or resist that urge to have "just one bite" from something fast food. It's been as hard at times as it was to quit smoking.

I do fine when I'm busy. It's when it's slow at work or I'm sitting around the house and boredom hunger shows its ugly head. At work I used to bring extra stuff with me so that I always had something on hand if I forgot to bring food from home, or had to do something after work and knew I would be late getting home (but would need to eat something). I've cut back on that so I only have what I intend to eat for the day. It's too easy to make an excuse to eat, like "oh if I don't I may not hit my Protein for the day" or "I drank too much coffee so I need to eat to settle my stomach."
The thing that also sucks is when you know you're struggling then you start thinking about it more. It's like the old joke of telling somebody "don't think about sex." What do you do? Immediately start thinking about sex. For me I'll start looking at the clock and get worried that I have 2 hours yet before lunch but want to eat now. Days when I have struggles I have to stay busy. If I'm sitting in my office dwelling on thoughts of food then I'll go out into the plant to get away, or go outside and walk for a few minutes to clear my head.

5.5 oz's max. Usually 4. But if I'm super hungry or I'm on my period than I can eat a little more. Not sure why.

I don't drink liquids before or after eating and I follow the guidelines pretty strictly. Though I am human and make choices sometimes to veer off and eat something purely decadent. lol! What happens is I end up being hungry pretty quickly afterwards. I find when I stick to the Protein rich diet I'm hungry 4 times a day. If I eat stuff that isn't protein heavy I will be hungry again within an hour.

How do you guys handle being around food you want but can't have? I'm having a very hard time with this. I'm 21 years old and I had the sleeve on 10/7. My family always has dinner together and it's so hard to sit at the dinner table and eat for instance, Soup while everyone else is having steak, pork chops or chicken cutlets. Idk how I'm going to get past this
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They don't really listen. There mindset is when I'm 6 weeks out, I can eat everything they are cooking or ordering. I'm still going to choose healthy choices because than what was the point of me having surgery?
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It is extremely difficult. And thank you for all the kind words❤️
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This may sound lame, but when I first got sleeved, I kept a small container of vaporub in my purse. I put a little around my nostrils so I couldn't smell the food. I also used whitestrips for my teeth when I'm cooking so I'm not tempted to graze. Don't laugh - it works! I found tricks like that great for just getting over the hump. After a while, I just got over it and quit craving stuff. I think a lot of it was habit. Unconcious comfort eating was automatic. Now I'm aware of it and don't do it anymore.
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How do you guys handle being around food you want but can't have? I'm having a very hard time with this. I'm 21 years old and I had the sleeve on 10/7. My family always has dinner together and it's so hard to sit at the dinner table and eat for instance, Soup while everyone else is having steak, pork chops or chicken cutlets. Idk how I'm going to get past this
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They don't really listen. There mindset is when I'm 6 weeks out, I can eat everything they are cooking or ordering. I'm still going to choose healthy choices because than what was the point of me having surgery?
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It is extremely difficult. And thank you for all the kind words❤️
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How do you guys handle being around food you want but can't have? I'm having a very hard time with this. I'm 21 years old and I had the sleeve on 10/7. My family always has dinner together and it's so hard to sit at the dinner table and eat for instance, Soup while everyone else is having steak, pork chops or chicken cutlets. Idk how I'm going to get past this
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It is extremely difficult. And thank you for all the kind words❤️
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Good job for making the tough, good choices. I'm just appreciative my family makes aure I'm included, even if they're all eating pasta and bread around me. Maybe they'll start to change and find a happy medium. I did this for me and no one else, but I'm glad my husband is choosing to be a partner vs eating BK in front of me.
Support is always plentiful on the forum!

They don't really listen. There mindset is when I'm 6 weeks out, I can eat everything they are cooking or ordering. I'm still going to choose healthy choices because than what was the point of me having surgery?
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They don't really listen. There mindset is when I'm 6 weeks out, I can eat everything they are cooking or ordering. I'm still going to choose healthy choices because than what was the point of me having surgery?
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Just keep eating what you are allowed to eat as they eat their BK. Trust me, you'll be better for doing it. And soon enough, your weight loss will speak for itself with regard to your efforts.
It is just food. I know that is so hard for all of us to remember sometimes. But it IS just food.< /p>

I'm sorry. My family is very considerate of my situation. For example, my Italian family had Pasta last Sunday but made sure I had meatballs to enjoy with them. I've asked my husband to not bring pizza in the house, so he orders it days he's slammed busy at work and can't get out. We work together to make it work. Have you tried talking to them?

that is sad that they would do that to you....not very good support
just remember the goal....you are going to be new and improved!!!
keep up the good work
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@itzbrittaanyx3- Three weeks after surgery, I had to attend a work formal dinner. I'm seated next to a potential First Lady...and I can't eat. I just worked it out with the banquet staff to get me Soup. They were very accommodating. Yes, I wanted the filet, but I knew I had to stick with the program. It was fine. No one noticed.
Now, in your case, this MIGHT be a clue to some emotional eating issues. Worth discussing with yourself. Is food=family good times? Are there other issues related to this? Your first month is an emotional adjustment. It is a gift to relook at the behaviors that got you to the point of WLS. At this point you are the "pig." (The joke is at an egg and bacon Breakfast, what's the difference between a chicken and a pig? The chicken contributes to the meal, but the pig is committed).
So you are in this and committed at this point. But you are getting conflicted feelings and feeling deprived. This is a signal that something is going on. Your mission, find out what it is. My $.02.

It is extremely difficult. And thank you for all the kind words❤️
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My husband and I were sleeved three years ago. We go everywhere and socialize a lot. We just went to a family function and I cooked Mac and cheese, cheese grits, we had grilled ribs, salad and fresh mustard greens. I really enjoyed the fresh mustard greens and never felt deprived. I am thankful the sleeve allows me and my husband to enjoy events, and not to eat through events. This is serious surgery and you need to get in the game. Take your favorite food to a family function and enjoy it! Also, I sometimes drink a Protein Shake a couple hours before going somewhere and make sure I am not starving! Good luck! Never feel deprived, get a mindset that you are winning this race!

Keep reminding yourself why you had WLS. Write a list of all the great things you want to do once you've lost weight and go over it at times you need inspiration. Remember that this is temporary. You can enjoy food again - just healthy choices and smaller portions. Picture new clothes you want to buy - maybe to wear to something special. If it's really difficult now - skip dinner with the family. I would hope they'd understand. Stay strong!!!! I admire you doing this so young - you're really giving yourself a chance at a wonderful life!!! I know it's probably more difficult for you but it really will be worth it!!!

It gets better.
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