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Trading One Obsession For Another



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Do you ever feel like since you can't eat like you did before, you make up for it by doing something else......A LOT! I have found the need to shop shop shop. Like I have a million dollars to blow or something. It satisfys that part of my brain that food did. I've been really focusing on cutting out this habit, but its kind of like I switched one for the other. I dont like it either.....(throw in fit here)

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During my preop testing my doctor warned that sometimes you trade addictions, and to be careful with alcohol and things like that. For me, I worked really hard and I can finally say that I have traded my food addiction for working out. YAY!! But I still have to try really hard not to shop too much. Especially since there are so many more cute things in a size 14/16 then in a size 26/28! I knew I would have to substitute the food for something healthy because I tend to have an addictive personality! UGH!!

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I am very worried about this- I think that I too will need to switch it to working out :)

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I know exactly what you mean, and this new obsession of mine is aggravated by the fact that I work in a department store where I get a generous associate discount on all my purchases! I'm trying to cut back by eliminating recreational shopping. I let myself shop when I actually need something, but if I'm just shopping to distract or comfort or entertain myself, I have the items I want put on hold for 24 hours instead of actually purchasing them. Often when I go back to buy them, they don't appeal to me or fix whatever feeling or problem I had when I picked them out the day before.

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I can honestly say I think I will be addicted to shopping before I would be to working out--don't think that will ever happen...have you ladies tried crafts or scrapbooking? I have heard a few ladies on here say they have become addicted to that, and it is something easy to pull out whenever you have a craving...maybe you could even make things to SELL...then you would be MAKING money! lol ;-)

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I can honestly say I think I will be addicted to shopping before I would be to working out--don't think that will ever happen...have you ladies tried crafts or scrapbooking? I have heard a few ladies on here say they have become addicted to that, and it is something easy to pull out whenever you have a craving...maybe you could even make things to SELL...then you would be MAKING money! lol ;-)

I hear what you are saying but I started this journey in March at 372lbs. I couldn't even get down or up off of the floor to play with my son. If you told me 10 months later I would be addicted to exercise I would have laughed at you....but now I am at the gym at least 4 mornings a week. I don't always love getting up but I am addicted to how I feel after. I guess my point is you just never know.....and I am so not crafty!!! :) Good Luck!!

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I can honestly say I think I will be addicted to shopping before I would be to working out--don't think that will ever happen...have you ladies tried crafts or scrapbooking? I have heard a few ladies on here say they have become addicted to that, and it is something easy to pull out whenever you have a craving...maybe you could even make things to SELL...then you would be MAKING money! lol ;-)

Oh, I do lots of arts and crafts, and I also enjoy shopping for the materials I use. I've sold some of my artwork but not enough to put a dent in the huge inventory of supplies I've acquired!

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Oh, I do lots of arts and crafts, and I also enjoy shopping for the materials I use. I've sold some of my artwork but not enough to put a dent in the huge inventory of supplies I've acquired!

I would probably become addicted to buying craft supplies. I'm hard wired to shop. LOL!

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My closets are overfilled, now! So, yes, after 2 years, I am, now, trying to control the urge to shop for something new! I fail, a lot!! Good luck to us all. Overshopping is better than overeating! Happy New year. Karen

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During my preop testing my doctor warned that sometimes you trade addictions, and to be careful with alcohol and things like that. For me, I worked really hard and I can finally say that I have traded my food addiction for working out. YAY!! But I still have to try really hard not to shop too much. Especially since there are so many more cute things in a size 14/16 then in a size 26/28! I knew I would have to substitute the food for something healthy because I tend to have an addictive personality! UGH!!

love your quote at the bottom of your post! And congrats, by the way!

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I hear what you are saying but I started this journey in March at 372lbs. I couldn't even get down or up off of the floor to play with my son. If you told me 10 months later I would be addicted to exercise I would have laughed at you....but now I am at the gym at least 4 mornings a week. I don't always love getting up but I am addicted to how I feel after. I guess my point is you just never know.....and I am so not crafty!!! smile.png Good Luck!!

I can honestly say I think I will be addicted to shopping before I would be to working out--don't think that will ever happen...have you ladies tried crafts or scrapbooking? I have heard a few ladies on here say they have become addicted to that, and it is something easy to pull out whenever you have a craving...maybe you could even make things to SELL...then you would be MAKING money! lol ;-)

Best of luck on your surgery! Your world will start looking so much better, as you will!

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Knitting or crocheting may be a good substitute. It keeps our hands busy and our minds busy on what pattern/stitch we are on.

It worked for me during one of the many times I lost weight on my own.

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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