Okay, so yesterday for dinner I had some ff refried Beans with taco meat mixed in. Problem is, by the time I got home from work to eat, I was starving, so I ate too fast and almost lost it all 15 mins in. In fact, I keep eating too fast and getting twinges from the tummy telling me to slow down. I KNOW that is what I need to do, but I can't seem to actually DO it.

Any suggestions would be mucho appreciated. I am already eating out of tiny containers and with tiny silverware.

My paperwork says about the size of your thumbnail which I think is a little bit more attainable to me.

Thank you very much Heather.................that is my problem right there, I was focusing so much on eating slowly and chewing my food really well. I will start taking bites the size of my thumbnail and see how that goes, I'm sure it will take care of my issue.

This is one of the hardest things for me, still. That and not drinking while eating. The only thing that works for me is putting my fork/spoon down between bites. I'm like you, I KNOW not to eat fast, it is just such a habit.

That sounds so much better to me than a pencil eraser! Whew... I wasnt sure about that... Thanks guys... Please let me know how that works out for you all that have been having trouble.

I eat while I'm doing something like reading or on the computer. When I take a bite I set the plate down and go back to what I'm doing. It's usually a couple minutes before I pick the plate back up. Just keep your mind busy while you're eating. To keep hot food warm, buy one of these candle warmers that someone posted on here a while back. I bought one and it works pretty well at keeping your food warm while you take your time eating it. You'll have to use a small bowl or plate on it. http://www.amazon.co...duct/B001DHQXX2

My trick is to use a toddler size spoon. You can only get tiny bites this way.

I just started "mushy" food, so I'm new at the chewing part, but was has been working for me is timing what I eat. I know someone else posted this but I actually look at the clock and set a time that I will take the next bite. It sounds crazy but it has worked so far.

Oh, Bryn.....I have not yet had my surgery, but I SOOOO know how you feel. Every single diet I've been on has left me ravenous between meals and I have always, always, horfed (new word ) my food trying to fill up that hole. I completely agree with Rainy that it is so important to not let yourself get hungry. Keep something small on hand all the time and eat/drink it between your meals so you don't feel that hunger which drives us to eat so fast. The only time I have been successful at diets or controlling my intake was to plan, plan, plan and always have something handy and ready to tide me over or believe you me, I was in line at the closest McDonald's or Taco Bell!!

I have been researching the band for 10 years and have heard a couple of times the 'pencil easer' analogy. I have also visited four nutritionists through my journey and all of then said that is ridiculous, way too small. They also said thumbnail, tip of your thumb, or for us mommies, toddler-sized....how you used to cut up your child's food when they were little.

The one most important thing they all taught me was to above all, be PRESENT when you're eating. Most times we're not. We're watching TV, talking, doing something, walking around and snacking while preparing. They say to be really present and be aware of what you're putting in your mouth, enjoy it, savor it, put your fork down, enjoy the eating experience.

I know I don't do that....when I have to actually put this into practice, it'll be tough. I just 'horfed' my late lunch again today because I waited too long and thought I was going to die of massive starvation, so I Hoover'ed through my Q'doba *snicker*.

Best of luck to you, Bryn....hang in there. I think it's gonna be a real learning curve, but honestly, I think you will automatically adjust after time. Your body will learn to slow down and find it's 'after' pace....

I bought espresso spoons (the size of a baby spoon) and I make sure to never heap the spoon before a bite. Between that, and putting the darn thing down in between I haven't had too many issues. There are still some times when I wait too ling and get ravenous. That's when I tend to want to eat fast. Like my tiny tummy is screaming at me for food.

I don't eat slow now nor have I ever. I did measure my food carefully when I was first out so I didn't overeat (thougth I still did sometimes and got the slimes). Anyway it's not that big of a deal IMO

My paperwork says about the size of your thumbnail which I think is a little bit more attainable to me.

Oh man, my bites are WAY too big. Just this second I learned what happens when you eat big bites too fast. It was no fun! It wasn't knife and fork food, so I didn't pace myself at all. Now Little Sleevie Wonder HATES me.

The size of a thumbnail? That's... a lot smaller than my bites have been, even with the toddler fork. More like the tip of my thumb. Erk. Maybe I have to do smaller bites now.

I ate last night with the timer suggestion (there is a big clock right across from me where I eat) and did a lot better, so that suggestion was very helpful.

Thanks to all who have responded! I didn't realize there were so many of us with this question.

I would try taking your food on a walk - 10 or 15 minutes. Walk outside or around the house inside. Take a bite, walk a little, chew a little, don't finish until the walk is over. It could be that you are just impatient to get on to something else.

quote name='Bryn Dawson' timestamp='1312303676' post='188564']

Okay, so yesterday for dinner I had some ff refried Beans with taco meat mixed in. Problem is, by the time I got home from work to eat, I was starving, so I ate too fast and almost lost it all 15 mins in. In fact, I keep eating too fast and getting twinges from the tummy telling me to slow down. I KNOW that is what I need to do, but I can't seem to actually DO it.

Any suggestions would be mucho appreciated. I am already eating out of tiny containers and with tiny silverware.

Thanks for posting this!! I am having the same issues with trying to pace myself. I have always eaten quickly, so this is taking a lot more effort than I thought it would!! Glad to know I am not the only one!!