Did I get your attention???

Ok, curiosity... when I answer posts here, I am always coming from a perspective of a "food addict"

But many times I have people write back...

"But I don't have an addiction to food"

Which I always think to myself YEAH RIGHT!

Don't beat me up I'm being honest!!

What can I say I'm pessimistic, I also laugh when people say they don't eat TO MUCH so they don't understand how the are fat.. I AM FAT BECAUSE I EAT LIKE A PIG (alone mostly)

Today I thought about, "what if I'm wrong?"

I mean...I am me and I am addicted, how do I know how the next person is???

I'm curious as an addicted fat person how is it for those of you who are not addicted?

Oh and on a side note if I am wrong, then I'm also jealous because I would give anything not to have this problem (addiction)

nut girl !

I wonder of we should all stop at a mom and pop bakery this week to show our support?

Mom and Pops are having a hell of a time right now. The have little to no backing except what they make at the register. I didn't draw a paycheck for over 3 years and bought my own insurance. I made my payroll every week and made sure my employees got taken care of. I watched as fast food chains and big box retailers slowly ate away at my business until it swirled down the drain...it wasn't a pretty sight....

I wonder of we should all stop at a mom and pop bakery this week to show our support?

YOU took the words right out of my mouth!

I wonder of we should all stop at a mom and pop bakery this week to show our support?

Don't tempt me. I'll pick something up for everybody.

Thought I'd dig this up and dust it off....

I'm having a difficult time today and its early yet.

Food addiction (addiction in general) is it ever cured? Even with cutting out most of the offending organ? No! Because the offending organ is NOT your stomach. It's your brain. My brain that helps me process and articulate life and its wonders. Is also my biggest "enemy"

Food, consumption, binging, it's all I think about somedays.

I've whet the appetite of this beast this week, and I'm out of control in my head.

I can cry, I want the miracle, but its always just out of reach. I did this so I could have freedom for the rest of my life.. But I will never be truly free. I will always have to deal with the part of my brain that wants... needs...desires...

Food in excess.

Thought I'd dig this up and dust it off....

I'm having a difficult time today and its early yet.

Food addiction (addiction in general) is it ever cured? Even with cutting out most of the offending organ? No! Because the offending organ is NOT your stomach. It's your brain. My brain that helps me process and articulate life and its wonders. Is also my biggest "enemy"

Food' date=' consumption, binging, it's all I think about somedays.

I've whet the appetite of this beast this week, and I'm out of control in my head.

I can cry, I want the miracle, but its always just out of reach. I did this so I could have freedom for the rest of my life.. But I will never be truly free. I will always have to deal with the part of my brain that wants... needs...desires...

Food in excess.[/quote']

Even at just 2 months in, I have bad days. I have days where I'm not physically hungry but want carbs! I have days where I made a poor choice because I'm busy or because it's easy. It's always going to be hard because my brain is the biggest part of my problem.

I know better than to keep slider foods in my house, but that doesn't mean they stop existing and that other people don't put them out at a party. A party I spend most of my day at without remembering to pack extra foods in my purse. The addiction is the part that will always make WLS a "tool" to help us change our lives. If they could operate on our heads, then maybe we'd be talking magic pill!!

But as hard as the hard days are, I know they're a world better than my average day was before!! And more importantly, I'm very aware of them now!

Laura - I wrote a nice long and thoughtful response for you, and then VST crashed. Not wanting to retype it, I will summarize.

Consider an abstinence model instead of a moderation model. We all struggle in different ways with our relationship with food. For me, I chose abstinence over moderation because VSG was a game changer and I wanted to be a new person inside and out, essentially no changes were off the table if it would help lead to 100% success. Some people are good moderators like my wife. she can control having small amounts of sweet food. i am not the same way. i am more of an all or nothing personality, especially when it comes to food.

You might consider detoxing from the sugar, fat and salt. Eliminate it. After that, consider eating a Mediterranean or Paleo style diet that will help retrain your reward centers (dopamine centers) to release endorphins from something other then sugar, fat and salt. With a good relationship with healthy food comes balance and sense of peace. Just a suggestion.

I think your 5:2 approach will still be compatible with this type of abstained eating as you can still eat TDEE -300 and, might I add, way more often with a more consistent impact on your body composition. I eat a little protein (minimum 3 oz) at least every 2 hours, sometimes on the hour and am still maintaining around 180 lb (5'11"). I am actually going to sneak in one more meal daily because I want to bulk a little more, but keep body weight the same. This is possible by reducing body fat percentage more. You know I am not a gym rat. I just give myself about 20-30 minutes of body weight exercises 5 days a week. It is very manageable and does not feel like a drag. I enjoy it.

It's what I have to do Andy. I cannot do moderation like some. And today is a perfect example. I've been crying on and off all morning because I'm literally going through withdraws.

Because of the out of control (moderation to some) intake of "regular" foods over vacation. But me in this spot.

If I don't stay wound tight about intake it spins out of control. It's just me.

Thank you guys for noticing...

Sometimes I need to cry out for help too.

Thought I'd dig this up and dust it off....

I'm having a difficult time today and its early yet.

Food addiction (addiction in general) is it ever cured? Even with cutting out most of the offending organ? No! Because the offending organ is NOT your stomach. It's your brain. My brain that helps me process and articulate life and its wonders. Is also my biggest "enemy"

Food' date=' consumption, binging, it's all I think about somedays.

I've whet the appetite of this beast this week, and I'm out of control in my head.

I can cry, I want the miracle, but its always just out of reach. I did this so I could have freedom for the rest of my life.. But I will never be truly free. I will always have to deal with the part of my brain that wants... needs...desires...

Food in excess.[/quote']

Sorry your having such a rough day I def understand

I had hoped I'd never be hungry but some days are such a struggle!

Sent from my iPhone using VST

Laura - I wrote a nice long and thoughtful response for you' date=' and then VSG crashed. Not wanting to retype it, I will summarize.

Consider an abstinence model instead of a moderation model. We all struggle in different ways with our relationship with food. For me, I chose abstinence over moderation because VSG was a game changer and I wanted to be a new person inside and out, essentially no changes were off the table if it would help lead to 100% success. Some people are good moderators like my wife. she can control having small amounts of sweet food. i am not the same way. i am more of an all or nothing personality, especially when it comes to food.

You might consider detoxing from the sugar, fat and salt. Eliminate it. After that, consider eating a Mediterranean or Paleo style diet that will help retrain your reward centers (dopamine centers) to release endorphins from something other then sugar, fat and salt. With a good relationship with healthy food comes balance and sense of peace. Just a suggestion.

I think your 5:2 approach will still be compatible with this type of abstained eating as you can still eat TDEE -300 and, might I add, way more often with a more consistent impact on your body composition. I eat a little protein (minimum 3 oz) at least every 2 hours, sometimes on the hour and am still maintaining around 180 lb (5'11"). I am actually going to sneak in one more meal daily because I want to bulk a little more, but keep body weight the same. This is possible by reducing body fat percentage more. You know I am not a gym rat. I just give myself about 20-30 minutes of body weight exercises 5 days a week. It is very manageable and does not feel like a drag. I enjoy it.[/quote']

I needed this advise too--should have read this before I just had a 370 cal cupcake

Sent from my iPhone using VST

Laura, are you a reader? I'm reading all I can get my hands on about the emotional side of WLS while it still in the honeymoon period. I have a long history of disordered eating and there is nothing to indicate that my problems will be over after the sleeve unless I do the work. So I'm hitting it hard now. Here are some books that I've gotten a lot out of:

http://www.amazon.com/Skinny-Thinking-Revolutionary-Permanently-Relationship/dp/1600377491

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Spirit-Guide-Weight-Surgery/dp/0982385072/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372978376&sr=1-1&keywords=Eat+it+up

http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Refrigerator-Navigating-Weight-Loss-Surgery/dp/1457508362/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372978408&sr=1-1&keywords=beyond+the+refrigerator

http://www.amazon.com/Emotional-First-Aid-Kit-Practical/dp/0976852659/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372978440&sr=1-2&keywords=emotional+first+aid

And a book that is helping me with some of MY underlying issues:

http://www.amazon.com/Toxic-Parents-Overcoming-Hurtful-Reclaiming/dp/0553381407/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372978495&sr=1-1&keywords=Toxic+parents

I promise you, it's not really about food. I can't speak for what it's about for you, but I think finding out is the key. We can do this.

My name is Emily and I'm an addict .. Dude I got kicked out of an OA meeting for showing up with a box of doughnuts who knew.. i was just trying to be social

This is funny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi! I'm a food addict and trying to control that. Before, if I hadn't eaten, I probably would have been an alcoholic.....Chose food over booze. Now I'm trying to deal with that as I've added back more foods, but....have to be really careful. Luckily, I can't eat alot. Good luck everyone!!!

I'm glad to come here today and read these replies! Yes we all have daily struggles with this And coming here to vent seek support or ask advice is always helpful to get me through the day!

I have been in therapy for years about this and have read many books on the reasons behind my addictions (great suggestions by the way misty)

Even with all the learning, growing and retraining I'm doing I still fall occasionally.

And I hit the ground pretty hard..

Yesterday was one of those days.

The funny thing is I had even lost weight which is like a miracle around here for me. But that doesn't stop the thoughts sometimes.

It's the constant obsessive thoughts that can ruin the day.

I'm hoping for a much better time of it today.

Saw two bakeries today that have gone out of business. Maybe people are starting to wise up?

We can only hope! Now if only the fast food joints that are high fat, sugar, and salt would follow suite.....it would be a miracle....I find myself craving sugar and my fix is reaching for some whip cream.... How desperate can I get?