Hi! I'm new to the sleeve life. I had my surgery on 3/16/15. So far, I'm doing great, I feel good, I'm exercising most days. I'm losing weight and more important, my clothes are fitting better. So, on to the next question for your veterans. I'm an emotional eater. And today, I'm bored. I'm working on something tedious and all of a sudden, I wanted a snack. I wanted to eat something. But, I'm not hungry. I checked the time, and I'm now an hour away from when I need to stop drinking Water so that I can have my afternoon snack. So, 1.5 hours from food. I KNOW I'm not hungry. I KNOW, that its in my head. So, what should I do when this hits me? I jumped on here so that I could talk to others and see how you handled it in your early stages. I'm working from home today, so I guess I could/will walk down the street to pick up my mail, that's a 15 minute break. But, how do you cope when you're emotions are lying to you?

Put on some music and dance!

Try on some clothes that are too big for you now.

Look at yourself in the mirror and smile!

I have found the best thing is to re-focus the second I realize this is happening. I have lots of hobbies, plus 4-leggeds to care for (who has time after 6 of those?!!!), and if I just get off the couch...and redirect to something else, I'm good. Try not to look at the clock, and if you absolutely HAVE to put something in your mouth, make it water. Thirst is often confused with hunger, so fill up on water (thirst is a symptom of dehydration, so if you wait until you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated!) Good luck to you and visit those craft stores soon!

OH! And get lots of sugar-free popsicles! Gotta have 'em around, they can be life-savers! You can have as many as you want!