For the first time since surgery, I let the mindless, almost binge-like eater out of the box. I don't know why for certain that I lost the battle today, but I have some guesses. I am in Texas where educators and police officers are being laid off like crazy. Guess what hubs and I do for living? Yup, cop and educator. My husband took a 20% decrease in pay right after I had surgery because of this and I found out this past week that my job is being reorganized in a terrible way.

I knew going into surgery that I had some emotional issues to work out with food. I even kept appointments with a therapist. I also worked to lower my stress level during this adjustment time. So, the work issues starting immediately after leaving the hospital were unexpected and unwanted. I am still working to learn to handle my emotions without food.

Added to all this, I had to travel for work three days last week and sat in a hotel conference room with elaborate Desserts and working lunches where I couldn't bring my own foods. I thought I did pretty good while I was there and worked out everyday yet I was hit with a three pound gain when I got home. I've been losing so fabulously that the increase really sucker punched me. So, today, I think I let a defeatest attitude win. I ate more than I should have and a few things I never should have touched (Damn you Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs). Tallied up, I hit 1400 hundred calories. A high for me.

On one hand, I am freaking out a bit because I know I can eat more than most and I am terrified of doing this again and ruining all I have acheived. On the other hand, I ate relatively healthy stuff if you take the candy egg out of the equation so I feel I scored a small victory. I know what I should be doing, I just wanted to confess to a group that understands. Thanks for reading.

Amanda

I HAD BIRTHDAY CAKE TWO DAYS IN A ROW AND WAS MAD BECAUSE ITS THE FIRST SWEET THAT DIDN'T MAKE ME GO TO THE RESTROOM INSTANTLY, WHICH KIND OF SCARES ME! IF I HAD GONE I WOULD OF THOUGHT TWICE ABOUT EATING A PIECE A SECOND DAY! OH WELL TOM IS A NEW DAY! YOU GOT SOME GREAT ADVICE AND SO DID I!

The best thing I have ever found to work on my emotional attachment to food was to go to a hypnotist to work on the issue. Hypnosis reprograms your head and can change how you emotionally respond to food. It is a tool like the sleeve is a tool. I am using it now - I was sleeved February 22nd - and it is helping me. Look for a local source - or there are resources on line.