Hi everyone. I'm wondering what you more experienced bandsters have done to deal with emotional eating issues since being banded.

I am a major emotional eater- happy, sad, lonely, angry, whatever- and I would love to learn some successful strategies for dealing with this WITH my band.

If you have any suggestions, what has worked for you or even any books that you have found helpful, I would love to hear about it.

Thanks,

Have you been banded yet? I'd say that I was somewhat of an emotional eater. I had a bad day? Then I deserve a steak and fries. A good day? Well then, let's celebrate! Since I've been banded (and got out of bandster hell) it really hasn't been an issue. Maybe I'll order fish from the expensive place or get the cream of tomato Soup that I usually avoid because of the calorie count, but that's about as much reveling/celebrating as I can do with this (very moderate) level of restriction.

I was always a big meal person though. Never a snacker. If you do your emotional eater throughout the day I'd think it might be a little harder. It also depends on what your vices are. Ice cream is pretty low on my list which is lucky, but there's still a degree of willpower at play when I feel emotional about something. No getting around it. But it's way better. Good luck! I think you'll see a world of difference.

Don't keep the food in your house. Problem solved.

Gee Bob, sounds like you're talking to me! LOL

Hugs

Gee Bob, sounds like you're talking to me! LOL

Hugs

I try to give the answers that I need to hear. When I get into the emotional eating, I can't do it if it isn't readily available.

It is a bit of a snappy reply but it is what works.

What type of foods do you generally eat when you are feeling emotional? Try to make sure you have low-fat sugar free substitutes. There are lots of recipes available that taste so good but are good for you. You just need to make sure those foods are available to you and the bad ones are not available. It's particularly good if you can find good tasting and healthy convenience foods, since when we are in those states of mind we want something NOW. I like the sugar free chocolate pudding pops. They are sweet, quick, taste just like the regular type and they are about 50-60 calories.

I have to agee, don't keep the food in the house. Also, you might want to seek some therapy, at least for a little while. A therapist can help you learn to deal with your emotions in a healthy way, instead of overeating. Best wishes!

Hmph! I was in therapy for 2 years and gained 10 more pounds during that period. I'm not out of therapy and into a lapband...unfortunately I'm still an emotional eater. Guess we just gotta find our happy place. I don't need food to f il t he void when I'm happy. Hopefully you wont need food then too.

I am definitely an emotional eater. I ate when I was happy, sad, bored, angry, etc. I liked big meals, lots of carbs and sweets, etc.

Since being banded, I am not craving and obsessed as much as I was. When I have better restriction, I do not think much about food. With less restriction, I start thinking more about food, but still find avoiding carbs and sweets easier than it used to be. It all seems to be about restriction for me.

If you are still not really restricted, don't expect too much yet. Keep going in for your fills and it will happen. I don't think cravings will ever go away, but restictio makes a lot of difference in your ability to not fall into old habits.

Good luck to you!:ohmy:

It's easier said than done but you've got to find healthier alternatives. I don't keep any of the sugary fatty foods in the house anymore. But I do have sugar-free alternatives. Frankly I'm not as impressed with the stuff so I don't touch it much. Except for that time of the month. Because that's the only time I feel a sugar/salt binge coming on. Some people say it's all in my head but I don't think so.

Consider keeping a journal when you feel stressed and write down how you're feeling. Maybe drink your favorite sugar-free beverage, mines sugar-free Snapple's Peach Tea. Or if you prefer coffee try a soy based one or one made with skim milk like a Starbucks late or light frap.

Try going for a walk, clean the fridge out, or call your best friend and talk about what's going on, listen to your favorite music... anything you can do to keep you from eating the wrong foods or from over eating. The calories are not worth it. Try something new and you'll feel better about yourself. Think about it the stress will pass but the calories will last!!!

Much luck to you!