Binge behavior

[Fiddleman 4,376]

How many of you vets still encounter the old binge behavior of pre sleeve?

Here I am at 13 months post op and have been maintaining now for 6 months. Yet yesterday, the old binge behavior of eating senseless until discomfort hit me. I had gone on a hike yesterday and that may have triggered a need for carb inhalation combined with some stress from another part of life. And I did carb up before the hike with Protein infused steel cut oats and a couple energy squares. Hike was a joy. I was able to hike to the top without any fatigue. No soreness or out of breath. It felt like the end up a cross fit warm up.

I ate about 12 energy squares which would be about 720 calories around dinner time. Fortunately, an energy square is not really that bad for you because it is mostly good carb and good fat. Needless to say that became my dinner. scale did not move too much this morning, but I do feel a little more bloated then usual.

I am a little concerned about this behavior because I thought it had been checked at the door even 15 months ago when I started to prepare for surgery by changing my eating habits. My nutritional plan has been really a model of excellence over the last 6 months sticking to modified Paleo, focusing heavily on large amounts of lean Protein and veggies to fuel a high level of fitness. I eat healthy day in and day out without to much of a struggle. I like eating this way because of the energy it gives me to take on fitness and other activities in daily life.

Fortunately, my wife reminded me tomorrow is another day and I am human. It still depresses me a little that there is still a bridge that can be crossed to old undesirable eating behaviors. The bridge may be old, rickety and falling apart, but it can still be crossed.

That concerns me as a vet.

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

Fiddleman, I feel like old behaviors pop up all the time. Speaking for myself, this is a LIFETIME issue with roots in my childhood. difference is that I am in a mentally strong place and when those urges start to overtake me, I have an antidote. I never let it go too far.

BTW, I really believe getting "over hungry" is a key trigger and after doing a rigorous hike or something i am suseceptible too.

[No game 14,436]

Fiddle I almost don't need to answer this thread because you know I still fight binge behaviors..

I too went for a hike yesterday it was awesome! We hiked up to an art and wine festival being held high up in the redwoods! I indulged in carb laden foods during the hike and wine at the festival. Afterwards at dinner in addition to my regular sashimi I ate a piece of regular sushi (rice) and then several bites of green tea ice cream! Later in the evening I just wanted to stuff! I wasn't hungry but "needed" the tastes..

Not proud, and upon waking today, I feel the "hunger" stronger than yesterday. But I will get my self straight today.

I thought about bingeing last night. I would binge to stuff bad feelings yes, and I've worked on changing that,

But I binged in the past too after good days or good things that happened to me. I had a very handsome man ask me out several years ago after he gave a speech at a class I was taking.

All the young girls thought he was hot. And he talked to me! Asked me out!!!

I was so giddy all the home! And when I got home? I binged, binged for the rest of the day.

This week I pleased my bariatric surgeon with my weigh in and progress, I went home and did a mini binge. So today I realized I need to know how to handle my "good" feelings too without turning to food.

Sorry for the long post

[lsereno 2,525]

I'm coming up on 18 months at goal, and I still have to watch out for binge behavior. I agree with Jane: not eating enough earlier in the day can set me up for raving hunger after dinner. But I have learned that and pretty much have that handled, still.... I sometimes get the urge binge after dinner, and sometimes I fall off the wagon. I can't eat as much as I used to during a binge - thank god! but I have to watch it. Most of the time I can talk myself out of the bad behavior, but not always.

Lynda

[Fiddleman 4,376]

Thanks for the words of solidarity around this issue. Telling ourselves that old behaviors are eradicated seems like a nice story until they start reappearing out of the blue post op. I know - it is a common theme in the vet forum. However, I do not feel like it is something that needs to be battled everyday, but when it does strike, it is time to remember why we worked so hard up until this point. Is binging really more important then losing 180 lb and becoming really fit? Hardly. I also consider myself one of the non moderation folks as one bite of the wrong food would lead to 10 bites. I have such a binary personality. on or off. black or white. there are not really any shades of gray for me. that is both an asset (strong decisions) and a liability (success or failure mentality). However, one positive I have learned about binge eating : if one can wait about 20 minutes after temptation strikes, it will lessen and finally whimper out of existence.

[swizzly 901]

I really believe you just overtaxed yourself so much that your body demanded some easily accessible calories NOW. Remember maybe to eat as you go so you don't get too hungry especially in the context of high-energy burn? And don't kick yourself when you're down -- doing it once every now and then is not going over the cliff. Cos EVERYONE binges every now and then, even non-bingers and normal weight people!! HUGS

[M2G 1,836]

Well you ARE a vet, but you are also a HUMAN. And everyone has "those" days when we are not 100% perfect, nor do I think that you can expect to be 100% on top of your game every single day for the rest of your God-given life.

I think that you recognized this probably wasn't productive behavior, but it sounds like you already made adjustments. Now it's chin up and move on and make your next meal the right one.

Oh and just a little tidbit...I like to think that my obesity is in remission. It's still there lurking, and multiple bad decisions can bring it charging out of the closet and onto center stage. I don't consider myself "cured" from it, so I can never get too comfortable. At the risk of sounding all high school musical-ish, I need to keep my head in the game to keep it in remission.

[feedyoureye 3,087]

Sometimes I can say no. Somethings I choose not to. Sometimes I feel like I am out of control of the decision. I made the pact with myself, if I eat it, I write it down. This seems to really help. Its when I choose to eat it, and not write it down is when I seem to get TOO far out there, out of control, regain, even if I think I am eating OK.

[LipstickLady 25,682]

May I ask what a Protein square is?

[Ms skinniness 3,003]

I have times when I binge and it scares me. I do beat myself up and then I get back on track. I still try to eat Proteins and some veggies. But I find it getting boring.

[danyelleb 386]

Oh and just a little tidbit...I like to think that my obesity is in remission. It's still there lurking' date=' and multiple bad decisions can bring it charging out of the closet and onto center stage. I don't consider myself "cured" from it, so I can never get too comfortable. At the risk of sounding all high school musical-ish, I need to keep my head in the game to keep it in remission.[/quote']

This is a good way to think about things. I appreciate ur insight. I absolutely agree with u.

[Almostthere34 128]

May I ask what a Protein square is?

Protein Bar. Found it online. http://buy.proteinsquared.com/proteinsquaredcashewcaramelcrunch.aspx

Looks delish.

[Almostthere34 128]

Thanks for sharing. I know, I am not the only one who struggles with their food behavior demons. Bad habits die hard. I do the same thing but I count and log everything I eat. It doesn't change anything but if I have to I cut calories in other places to make up for the occasional mess up then I will and I do. A lifetime of habits will not be reversed in 14 months. At least that's how long it's been for me. The good thing is that now I recognize and try to limit binge behavior. My biggest challenge is popcorn. I went to see the Butler Friday and I ordered a child's popcorn. I ate almost the whole bag and I wasn't even hungry. It's all good cause I counted the popcorn in my calorie intake. It's ok to be human and indulge in moderation. If I indulge everyday and discounted nutrition all together than that would be a problem. I also stay away from self destructive behaviors that cause me to feel bad about mistakes. Try not to be too hard on yourself. For me the shame of making poor choices has to end. I just try harder to do better and make the right choices more often than not. Perfection is not for me, thankfully.

[Butterthebean 8,146]

Protein bar. Found it online. http://buy.proteinsquared.com/proteinsquaredcashewcaramelcrunch.aspx

Looks delish.

No...it's an "energy square" from nuts.com

[atelux17 135]

I went to my parents this weekend. Confession: not only did I binge but I feel like it was a convergence of every bad eating behavior I ever learned. I inherited binge, emotional & overindulgent eating from my maternal side. From dad: grazing, eating sweets after almost all meals, and drinking. I was under 1300 cal but normally I keep under 1000 when I'm at home& way more carbs than usual. I think we will all have to fight these behaviors. Fiddle, at least your calorie expenditure(hiking) seems to match your intake. I swam laps today out of guilt. I felt so off the wagon. I plan on getting back on track tomorrow when I go home. I'm 9 months post op but still concerned about damaging staple line by overeating.