Some addicts say they don't need a reason to drink/drug/binge, but I eat when I am scared. I eat when I am afraid of harm/beingpunished/having done something wrong. I eat to seek not just comfort but ...so I won't feel so afraid? It is difficult to express tihs feeling. I just realized it this morning when, confronted with the idea of actions on the part of my boss, sent me head first into my lunch bag. It is 7:30 in the morning. Why would I think that food would "fix" that? Anyone have any cognitive therapy advice, or any thoughts?

There's an interesting book called "Do One Thing Different" that I enjoyed. It's about stopping those "automatic" behaviors by changing just one simple thing that sort of jars the "automatic" behavior out of being automatic, and makes you make a conscious choice.

I have to remind myself to use the tools in it, but I managed to quit picking up fast food on the way home by purposely changing what exit I get off the highway, for instance.

Anyway, it might be worth the read. I'm sure after surgery I will have to have a slew of new tools to use to replace the way I've been using food.

Therapy might be a good idea. I have to say that I have noticed my desire to eat for emotional reasons has decreased considerably. I wonder if it is because food just isn't htat pleasurable now so it doesn't have the "benefit" it used to give me?? I don't consider myself a serious emotional eater but I know i have definately done it - comfort eating. Maybe the therapy combined with the physical changes of the sleeve is the best combination?

I would love therapy, but am intimidated by the cost.

Try a church or local women's center for lower cost therapy.

Lissa

Group therapy is not for me, but I will see what my insurance covers.

I read. Therapy is great and all...but honestly, I avoid it. I don't need a medical file or a mental health flag keeping me from jobs in certain locations!

I read a great book about emotional overeating called "Hungry: Lessons Learned on the Journey from Fat to Thin" by Allen Zadoff. It's short and simple but it really made me think. Honestly, it's the first thing I read that made me realize I was an overeater and that I used food as an emotional refuge. I wouldn't say he's anti-surgery, he just found a way to control his eating habits without it - but he does touch on the other aspects of our journey.

You could also check out books by Geneen Roth but she kind of annoys me, though her books have helped a lot of people.

I enjoyed "Promiscuous Eating" by Andrew Siegel, but it might not be exactly what you want because it does read in some places like a diet book. I did find his writing on the reasons behind overeating really interesting.

Most important is that you're finally realizing that you've used food as a coping mechanism. Sometimes being aware of something is enough for us to start to change. You are most definitely NOT alone. Every single person on this board has food issues of one sort or another, or we wouldn't be overweight in the first place. Very, very few people can honestly blame genetics or health for 100% of their weight problem. Recognizing this is the first step - now you can make a plan to attack the issue.

I always start with knowledge and think my way through. I'll always have that urge to do the things I used to do (binge, overeat, whatever) but knowing why I'm feeling the way I do has helped me overcome the majority of those problems. Whatever you decide, I hope you find something that works well for you.

~Cheri

I've never been an emotional eater but I did realize after surgery that I am addicted to food. When you have such a small stomach and you are not hungary and you still want to eat, you are addicted to food. I love food. It has taken me the past 4 1/2 months to realize I can still love food. I do know that I had no self control over portion size and the sleeve has been my salvation there. Now I can enjoy food, just less of it. The thing that has surprised me the most is how I don't crave bread, rice, pasta, and potatoes like I thought I would. I think a bad bread experience early out solved that.