Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

HELP I need Tips for slowing down



Recommended Posts

My stomach is in full fledged picky mode!! I can have one thing one day and the next day I am throwing it up, but what is making it worse I think is that I am eating too fast. I have tried to slow down but I continuely forget till its too late. Anyone got any tips on how they slowed down??? I have been a notoriously fast eater before surgery and I did slow down some and was working on it but obviously have not been successful enough! (I am 2 months out)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ive been told that getting a timer and setting it between each bite has helped others to slow down.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My number one slow down tip: put down your fork or spoon between bites and count the number of times you chew. It's a bit tedious, but it becomes a habit. I chew each bite 20X.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Like the others have suggested, baby spoon, small bowl or plate, and when it goes in treat it like gum, sometimes I grab something to read so that I can be busy while chewing that way I am not starring at the walls.tongue.gif

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

YOu have to put the fork down between bites. before surgery I was getting to the point when I was eating by chewing everythign 27 times. I know it took a little more time to eat but I was trying to train myself slow down. The more you slow down to me the better your food taste and the more enjoyment you get from eating ..

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I chew everything 25 or more times -- doing that has helped me avoid overeat and the dreaded throw up feeling I get when that happens. huh.gif

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I too am a fast eater, I try to slow down but I know its hard. I really can't eat as fast as I used too but after two fast bites I feel I have to wait before I take another bite. So I push my plate away and talk with my family or I'm on the computer.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was thinking about this last night, because I took ONE bite too much, and was very uncomfortable. I think one way you can keep yourself from overeating is by weighing your food or measuring it. That way you will not eat too much. My eyes are much larger than my stomach. (If I think about it they might be literally be the same size.) I used to put so much food on my plate that I am having a hard time too. I actually went and bought some small bowls. 4oz and 6 oz size. I know that amount will fill me up and I will not over eat. This is helping me - I am still having a hard time if I go out to eat - I guess I could BYOB. (Bring Your Own Bowl) Might get some strange looks. Good Luck! ;)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I also eat too fast and pay the consequences. I try to count to twenty after chewing really well. I even then I still am eating faster than most. I just have a hard time letting my food get colder and colder between bites and they say re-microwaving food just makes the food tougher.

I wish you luck.

Does anyone else have a specific amount of time they wait in between bites?

Thanks

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I too am a fast eater, I try to slow down but I know its hard. I really can't eat as fast as I used too but after two fast bites I feel I have to wait before I take another bite. So I push my plate away and talk with my family or I'm on the computer.

Same here. I have to seriously force myself to slow the eff down. When DH is at work, I eat here at my desk so I'll take a bite and cruise around online or whatever. It helps if I'm looking at "skinny clothes" :) When DH is home and we're having dinner or whatever... I try to just slow it down and talk to him...put my fork down. Sometimes I'll even look at catalogs too. You know, once I even got up mid meal and walked around LOL. What I hate about the "slow down thing" and the such small portions thing is by the time I'm about halfway through, everything is already getting cold!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • 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.

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×