Feel so rotten tonight. I caved I ate something I wasn't suppose to on my preop and now I feel horrible. I am having such a hard time. The moment I come through the door, my brain goes into food mode and it is not that I am even hungry. Any ideas on how to change my brain thought. I even tried brushing my teeth when I got home ugg this is definitely not easy. Nine days done 9 days to go. All ideas welcome. Sorry guys, I am not a very good example I guess as I sure don't hear of anyone else letting food win lol

Trust me it gets easier...I was sleeved on 5/17...the hardest part was pre op!hang in there!!

Thanks itsmeloca

One thing, I made a "countdown" calendar. I inclulded my weight each day. I put down my emotions and if it was a really hard day or not. I took great joy in X'ing out the days as they went by.

Make sure you take your measurements before surgery too. Think about your liver. If it is not shrunk enough with preop diet, they will not do your surgery, but a couple screw ups is not going to ruin it. That's a good incentive for staying on track. No one's perfect. Don't be too hard on yourself. You CAN do this. Hold your head up and put this behind you. Move on and go forward! Soon your sleeve day will be here!!

Don't beat yourself up over this. It happens. I start my pre-op diet the 5th and to be honest, I know that I am going to have some issues. What I am telling myself is that hunger is all in the mind and I can control my mind. The other thing I do is rely on my faith. I won't go all religious on you, but my faith is what gets me through everything.

As far as changing your thought patterns, if you can, take a walk outside and enjoy nature. If you can, drink Water if that's allowed during the time your hungry. (not sure how your pre-op diet goes...sorry).

Hope this helps some. I know how hard it is, but if I can do it, anyone can!

Eric

Tomorrow is a new day!! Just move forward. The date countdown is a good idea. My suggestion would be to put some sort of sign or picture or the calendar posted ON your fridge and/or your cupboards or the entrance to your kitchen. Something like "it isn't worth it! Only ____ more days to go!" Sometimes visual reminders help.

Again, don't beat yourself up. It is in the past so move on and re-focus. You are doing great and pretty soon you will be joining sleeve-land and will have a solid seat on the loser's bench

I carry tic tacs....they are so minty they numb my mouth a little....I suck on 1 or 2 when I really want to chew....you only have 9 more days....I have 12 more....

It's been said many times before - "one meal at a time". That's the best advice I can give you. Don't beat yourself up for a slip up, it happens - I think it's more important to not make the habit.

Something that is helping me on my pre-op plan is that I'm keeping a spreadsheet where I plan my next day's meals out in advance. It has helped me because I know what to take to work and I know exactly what I'm having when I get home. I have it spelling out exactly all the items I want to know (fat, Protein, calories, etc) so I know in advance where I'm at. My NUT wants me around 900 calories a day and 70g of protein, so this helps me a lot.

You can not beat yourself up about this. That mindset has to change too!

A lot of things we do out of habit. Years and years of habit. Last Wednesday, went into a local candy shop looking for empty goody boxes to use for my DD's b-day party. The gal, offered me a bowl filled with flavored chews. I grabbed an orange one, not even thinking about it and popped it into my mouth as I headed out the door. Took me getting ACROSS the parking lot to my truck before I realized what I'd done! I'm on my freaking pre-op diet of low cal/high protein!!! Whoops!!! I did enjoy it, felt some remorse but it was an honest accident and I moved on. I've since tried to be more mindful! I DID learn a lesson!

A thought, since when I walk in the door, I head for the kitchen. It's where we unload before moving on to the rest of the house. Instead of fixing something to eat, try making yourself a drink. Flavored Water w/ice, or glass/mug of tea, or Protein shake, or...

Whatever it takes to break that habit of reaching for food the minute you're in the door. That would slow you down, you'd become mindful, and be able to stop the automaton that most of us have become over the years.I don't know about you but I'm always chasing another drink. I am always behind on my 8 a day! This would help that process too.

Best wishes!!!

You can't beat yourself up over today. Just resolve to do better tomorrow. This is the worst part of the journey, IMO. Once you're sleeved that nasty hungry feeling will be gone and you'll be able to make better food choices.

I can't thank you all enough for your words of kindness and encouragement. I have really given it a lot of thought tonight on what caused me to waiver. I know it was bad habits coming back. I haven't been spending the time reading on our forums for the last couple of days and you know what it works when we can lean on one another and read what is happening in everyone's journey. This is where we get our best support! I have learned a valuable lesson. I have also posted the calendar to keep track. As far as meal planning my preop is very restrictive so there is no room to change menus lol. Ugg.

My mom used to say to us "where you are today is where our God wants you to be, that there is a lesson he wants us to learn in everything we do".

My faith is strong and I know I can get up this hill too.

Again a Big Hug to all of you for your support. I truly feel that I am not walking alone.