I feel like I could use some "old-fashioned", kick me in the a@* support!!! I did so well over the holidays....stayed focused, ate right, etc.....now I feel a tad out of control. Mostly not as focused....know what I mean???!!

I know I want to eat "comfort" foods lately....probably due to things like: it's that time of the month, it was a full moon on Saturday, and on Friday the 13th my husband had a car accident (he is O.K., thank the Lord!) in our 7 day old car!!! Typically I would have eaten half of New York City by this time, but I have not done that....but, the thoughts are creeping into my head. I just want to nip it in the bud......send me good vibes, support, prayers, etc.......I feel like this is my first "head hunger" challenge since being banded......and "head hunger" has always been my evil enemy!!!

I wouldn't call a kick in the a@@ "support," exactly!

But you know what to do, and you're doing great!! You're going through some stuff now, no kidding, and there's no crime in being good to yourself during the tough times.

You'll get back on that horse before you know it!

You are sounding like you are in the same boat as me. I hope we can get through this and leave this head hunger junk behind!

(sorry about your hubby's wreck, my hubby had his wallet stolen the same day!)

Everyone seems to be down. I think a lot of it could be weather and the season!! This is the time of year I have put on the most weight before. Maybe everyone needs to increase their intake of Vitamin D, get outside more and try to get some sunshine, and enjoy everything they can.

Amy

Hi, Margo! I am haviang some of the same issues you are...I am not hungry, but I WANT to eat...the band helps me avoid big problems, but stress and eating go hand in hand for me. I'm trying to give you the advice I need to follow myself. Maybe it would help to take each decision as it comes...minimize the focus to just one meal, and what you are going to do for it. Then the next...I keep thinking things like, "It's just one _____," or I'll follow the rules at the next meal...this is like putting off acountability. Today, I'm following this rule: "Don't eat unless I am actually hungry." Well, I threw a lot of things at you...hope one of them makes sense and helps! Cindy

Hi Margo, I have felt that way before. Please don't binge. You will feel so bad afterwards. I did it once and got so depressed for gaining back 5 lbs that I had lost. I felt awful. Don't do it. Just drink some water and ask god to help you fight the temptation of food. That is the best advice I can give you because it works for me.

I will have been banded two weeks tomorrow. I haven't lost any weight according to my scales at home. I will see the Doc on Wednesday for the first time after surgery. I am eating way more than they said I would. I am confused on what exactly to do from here. I guess the doc will let me know.

Margo~

If good thoughts will help, know they are coming your way!! I keep reminding myself that sometimes this is a minute by minute battle...and you can do it!

Emily

I felt like that the other day, its coming up to that time of month for me and my appetite definitely increases markedly, and my weight has plateaued a little as well at the moment. I just allowed myself a day where I would have a little more than I had been having and make one or two not so sensible choices. I enjoyed it, (had a muffin and a cappucino down at the shops), it got it out of my system and amazingly, the sudden spike in calorie intake meant I was half a kilogram lighter the next day.

Head hunger dissipates a good deal when you allow yourself anything, and make no food off limits. Everybody eats for comfort sometimes, the trick is learning to do it in an amount and way which doesnt cause you to gain weight. It's not bad to feel that way sometimes, it's normal.

I think you need to distinguish between stress release (and I need to work on this too) and genuinely wanting something in particular. If you really want something in particular you should have it. I personally count having a muffin and a coffee and not then going "oh well, blown it, may as well pig out for the rest of today andstart again tomorrow" as a huge victory, not a failure.

So I think if you can sort out the feelings whirling round in your head when you get this way and figure out if you truly do want something, you're winning the battle.

I've been in the same spot lately with the head hunger, and have been eating just enough not to lose I guess. Warm fuzzies sent your way in hopes we can all get it back together!

You can and will do it! consider yourself kicked in the A$$! :)

You all are wonderful support and I can't thank you enough. It has just seemed so "easy" so far and now I am feeling some of my "old" thoughts about food coming back. It kind of scares me. But, your support and suggestions are so very much appreciated. You guys rock!! And I will try to remember "one day at a time" and that this is not an overnight journey....

:boxing::boxing: :moony: :boxing: :boxing:

Many MANY hugs to you. :hug:

Margo, we are now entering the winter season which to me is comfort food season. One thing that helps me is to journal my food. When it is in black and white on paper it seems to do something to your brain and you start making better choices. I also journal why I ate what mood I was in and what degree of hunger I had and what I was doing at the time I ate..I see patterns , once I see a pattern I try to correct it. It works! Hang in there and you know you are not alone by all of the replys here.

Margo - hang in there - you can do this thing!

I agree with journaling food eaten - when you eat it if you can.

I've been using fitday.com to log food (free and cool site) - I have access to it at work and at home and try and go log food when I eat so it keeps a reminder in my head of where I'm at. I did this with weight watchers, too and as long as I recorded what I ate I did ok and lost weight. Once I was encouraged by weight loss, I could kinda go on autopilot for a while without journaling but would eventually fall back to old habits. I'd have to start journaling again to get back on track.

Something about the journal just keeps it in your head about how close to max calories you are.

Good luck pumpkin - you'll be fine - Go get a massage and de-stress!