Disgusted By Others Eating

[*susan* 1,709]

I am sure most of us experience a whole myriad of feelings when we encounter such situations. We can't help how we feel, only how we react to those feelings. As for me, I feel sad when I see that. I feel sad for that person, because I look at them and see myself a few years ago. I feel sad because I was completely oblivious or in denial of what I was doing to my body. I feel sad because I remember not even really taking the time to enjoy the actual flavor of the food. And, I also feel hope. I hope that something in their mind will click, something they see or hear will touch a nerve, they will finally encounter that straw that broke the camels back and say, "what am I doing to myself?" And when they do, I hope they have the resources and the support system that I did to be able to conquer those demons and achieve a healthier life.

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[jennrus 176]

Thank you PPATTERSON. Perhaps it is the word disgust that has people hung up. I am simply more aware of how much others eat now and the choices they make. I am sad for them. Dumfounded how many people have commented on this thread. Clearly we should all be exercising more and posting less. Dang what a tough crowd.

[jennrus 176]

And given my mood swings I will likely have a different opinion tomorrow. Did get sick watching my dad eat spaghetti for lunch today though. Still love him but it did in fact disgust me. I certainly didn't let it show. I'm not a total b***h.

[jennrus 176]

And given my mood swings I will likely have a different opinion tomorrow. Did get sick watching my dad eat spaghetti for lunch today though. Still love him but it did in fact disgust me. I certainly didn't let it show. I'm not a total b***h.

[CamarilloCA 41]

I started reading this topic because I think that I am developing an aversion to food. I too feel nausiated watching someone eat. The other day, I was selling flowers at a booth, and a woman -- she was thin lest I be scolded -- was eating a Thai egg roll while asking me questions about my flowers. I had to talk to her while she was eating, and I found myself repulsed and nausiated by that Thai egg roll. The smell alone made me want to vomit, but she was eating it kind of loudly and getting grease all over her fingers, so maybe that had something to do with it. This has nothing to do with the size of the person eating or who they are or how much they weigh. I am deeply compassionate and empathetic to everyone and would never judge. After I quit smoking years ago, I was really bothered by the smell of cigarette smoke. I don't like it to this day, but it doesn't bother me like it used to. I think the aversion to some food will pass. In the meantime, I guess it does help to lose weight:-)

[jennrus 176]

Oh I should have mentioned I am equal opportunity disgusted person. The super skinny girl at work makes me just as sick watching her eat an entire pizza by herself.

[Holly5.3 423]

I am now 6.5 weeks out and find I am SO judgemental of what everyone else eats now. I get sick if I see glutinous people and feel ashamed for having looked like that. Funny thin is' date=' I ate alone most of the time so no one would judge me that way and here I am.[/quote']

Wow-this thread was quite something! I think I know what you're saying. At this part of your journey you are hyper-sensitive to obesity (the who, what and where doesnt matter). You weren't putting anyone down or making a "statement" about society! When I was pregnant, all I noticed everywhere was pregnant women. Was there more pregnant women running around than normal? No. I just was sensitive of their presence. I get grossed out easy watching people eat messy foods with their hands (BBQ ribs, chicken) -so I avoid doing so whenever possible (I totally lose my appetite! And I'm still Pre-op! Wait til post op-I can hardly imagine!) Even when my husband becomes "hypnotized" by food - I get squeamish - maybe it's part of breaking free from the emotional addiction.

[doxieville 799]

Oh I should have mentioned I am equal opportunity disgusted person. The super skinny girl at work makes me just as sick watching her eat an entire pizza by herself.

That's really true for me too. I honestly think we are 'disgusted' by the food because so many of us are still prone to nausea.

This IS an interesting and honest thread, we just don't need the redundant bickering.

[CamarilloCA 41]

I think Holly and Doxieville might be on to something. Maybe being repelled by certain food or a large quantity of food is because our brains are telling us that we don't want that or need that and can't do that anymore. When we were heavy, our brains were telling us to go eat mass amounts of food to maintain our weight and prepare for the next starvation period -- i.e., starvation diet -- as a method of survival. Now, maybe because the Ghrelin is gone or reduced, our brain is sending out signals that translate into, "I don't want that for me."

Another good point is that it could be a emotional separation issue as Holly said. Just as a teenager separates from his or her parents with some hosility in order to exert some independence, maybe we are doing that with our love affair with food.

The brain is a very powerful thing that drives many of our emotions and actions often without us even realizing it.

I copied someone's saying on Facebook that I really liked. It goes like this: "I am ending my love affair with food. I hope we can still be friends."

[tovanta 49]

Ms Louise C...

My initial response was to the post itself, and some of the words spoken with in it.....for some reason you have personalized this conversation....so rather than creating spasm a mile long.....let's leave it alone ....and respectfully agree to disagree.....my words were never meant to personally cause you to feel alienated.....when you directed my quote back to me ....I thought you felt the need to express your thoughts to me directly....and because I love the art of debate....I responded...however it appears to me that you feel more pain or frustration...rather than thoughts being openly discussed...allow me to say this... do not allow my thoughts to personally affect you .....we are all in here to share.....right or wrong ...we are just sharing....

[Holly5.3 423]

The exchange of real feelings and or statements to what we ourselves feel is true is an excellent way for us to council ourselves and one another. No one should feel attacked - we are all growing (and for once it's not in body size!) emotionally, snd for me, spiritually. In other words, it's all good! We are using our brains and our hearts not just "the mouth" to engage! Peace!

[kryssaboo 11]

Honestly, I'm a bit oblivious to what other people eat. Too concerned with what is on my own plate .

Many of us who have been obese though are/have been insecure, self conscious and prone to both perfectionism and self loathing. I wonder if the origin of many of the negative thoughts to other people's food habits etc is projecting our left over feelings regarding ourselves...

[Chelle68 27]

Has anyone noticed that it seems ok for everyone to comment on how little we eat? It drives me crazy! It was tabu to say anything to me when I was 290 lbs but now that I weigh 138 lbs it seems like everyone wants to tell me I eat like a bird or I need to eat more or flat out make fun of me. So I think the discrimination goes both ways. Sorry but darn that felt good to vent!

But this way does feel so much better. I think we make some people feel guilty because we eat so little and they know they are eating much bigger portions. They know if they have a problem just like we did.

[suegirl 109]

Until I was 40, I was bone, rail thin.. I could eat as much of anything I wanted and never gained a pound.. EVERYONE would comment on how skinny I was... I was asked more times than I can remember if I was anorexic. Then when I turned 40, something in my metabolism just "turned off" and my weight started sky rocketing an average 20 lbs per year... It didn't matter if I cut back on what I ate. It didn't matter if I was careful about my calories... I was always self conscious about how much I looked like I was eating when I got to my heaviest. I would eat salads or half orders of everything because you just knew people were "looking".

Not one person has mentioned that I gained 140 lbs... I was told that there was no way that I weighed that much... Really? You think it is ok to tell me I am too skinny but you call me a liar when I tell you how much I weigh now? I have the sleeve surgery and you tell me that I am taking the easy way out? EASY? Where do people get the nerve???? Those people got kicked to the curb.. done. You don't know me. You have NO RIGHT to speak to me in that manner.. and I am very careful about judging others based on what I see in a 10-20 minute interaction. I don't want people judging me, and I give what I get...

[susanfaye 162]

Very well said tovanta! Not every person has access to this surgery. I have a good job with great insurance and it did not cover it. I thank God that I was able to come up with 23' date='000 for it. I'm sure there a lot of people that would love to have the surgery if they had insurance or other means to pay for it.

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Yes! It took me 5 years of trying to be able to have surgery. Honestly, I havnt noticed what others eat because it just isn't my business. I do remember myself eating and thinking I'm never going to be able to loose weight, I can't afford surgery, so why bother. How many people are in that same boat? It isn't my place to judge or say do something about it. Especially when I know how hard I tried prior to wls to "do something about it" without success. To assume that someone is overweight because they want to be and just don't care is not only irresponsible and judgemental, it is hypocritical. As another poster said, look in the mirror and see the 3 fingers pointing back at yourself.