I'm so stressed out trying to balance work, school, family and church. I really want to have this surgery and I'm doing all the appointments but I can't stop stress eating. I find myself putting stuff in mouth when I'm not hungry and its always junk. I've been logging my food but for the last 3 days I couldnt even remember what I ate. I haven't gained any weight but I'm not losing either. The worry is setting in and I'm wondering if I'm ready for this. I want it so bad but I'm having a hard time making the changes to be ready for surgery. Advice please!

Since you are asking the questions about yourself I think it speaks volume about who you are. It also tells me you are ready! It shows you are aware enough to know there will be life changes ahead of you. Now the question is why are you putting so much pressure on yourself.

The great thing about this surgery is that your stomach does not allow massive amounts of food' date=' and although your brain keeps trying to get you to eat more your stomach ultimately wins the battle. If you eat to much it will either hurt or come back up quickly. I have often said your brain is like a two year old. When it does not get its way it throws a temper tantrum. It sends out the signals of being hungry or a craving. For so many years you have given into your brain, and now you are going to take control. Is it possible that you are sabotaging yourself with the negative thoughts. You are giving in to the negative tiny voice in the back of your head and not the thoughts that are yelling YOU CAN DO THIS. I know how easy it is to give in to the small voice, and learning how to shut that voice up is hard to do. I think many of us struggle with it daily.

The next stage of the journey is where your food choices are not limited as much as in the beginning. You may not throw up as much, but you feel full quickly. Before surgery I could pack away food. It would be no problem to eat a 10oz ribeye steak, potatoes, a veggie and bread and salad in one sitting. Now I can eat about 4 oz of steak and a bite of potatoes. I actually feel fuller now than before.

It took years for the weight and habits associated with your weight to set in. Expecting yourself to change overnight is setting yourself up for failure. The changes that need to be made you are already doing. You are realizing and recognizing the areas within yourself that need work. With your food logs also write down feelings and stresses in your life at that moment. When you get the urge for a candy bar write down what is going on at that time. For example I noticed that I snack more when I am having a tough day at work. My brain keeps telling me I am hungry, but I don't physically feel hungry. So in order to solve this problem I do the following things:

1. I make sure that I have healthy Snacks available to eat. So if I give in I am at least eating healthy

2. I try to figure out why I have the urge to snack. After logging your feeling for a few weeks you might discover a pattern. If you find one figure out what can be done about it. i was able to figure out that my urge to snack was when I was busy at work or if I had to do a lot of driving at work.

3. Figure out what you can do instead of eating. I try to go work out or get on this message board.

This journey is a marathon not a sprint. You are challenged so much during the race that you wake up one day and think damn I am awesome!!! My last piece of advise is to write down a list of your goals and try to focus on the positive side of things. You will discover what a strong and powerful woman you are. We all stumble and fall and have bad days, the important thing to Remember is that we are all here for you!

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I could only smile while reading this post. You just made the whole process make sense! I hope you don't mind but I'm going to print it and read it whenever I have these moments. I'll keep it with my goals list. :-) I have been putting so much pressure on myself that in my mind I'm failing before I even begin the race. Thank you so very much for providing clarity!

I could only smile while reading this post. You just made the whole process make sense! I hope you don't mind but I'm going to print it and read it whenever I have these moments. I'll keep it with my goals list. :-) I have been putting so much pressure on myself that in my mind I'm failing before I even begin the race. Thank you so very much for providing clarity!

No problem. Glad I could help. If you ever need anything please don't hesitate to ask me.