So, I am about 5 weeks post-op and I just "survived" my first trip to Trader Joe's with my family. I walked the gauntlet (you know, the displays of tantalizing chocolates, Cookies, cookie butter, etc. that they set up along the lines to the register or at the ends of aisles) and made it through without adding anything to my cart.

This was indeed a challenge as I was accompanied by my husband (a.k.a. the man who always goes shopping-while-starving) and 11y.o. daughter. Hubby threw some chocolates and ice cream in the cart and my DD excitedly pointed out the cookie butter and some other evilly delicious cookies. I grabbed my bags of greens and lean Protein and kept it moving nevertheless.

I guess that this increased will power and lack of sugar cravings is a lingering effect of the surgery and these past weeks of nearly no carbs. I also maintained some steady positive self-talk, reminding myself of my mission and new path towards a healthier life. But, I am wondering how I will manage "The TJ gauntlet" when my biology returns to a more normal state...

Do any of you veteran sleevers have any helpful tips for the newbies? Any newbies want to share their personal triumphs over trigger foods/stores along with survival tips?

I'm 9 wks out and I crave stuff all the time, but I KNOW I can't eat it. Every night I rattle off all the things I want. So I let my mind crave whatever it wants. I gave in to a bite of pizza, threw up. One bite of a chicken nugget, threw up. I refuse to feel like crap. Nothing is worth dealing with a bellyache. If you have a craving that is just driving you crazy, try it. You'll see if it sits well. Pizza doesn't sound good at all now. The cravings will subside because your mind will catch up to your belly. Good luck. ❤️

I went to TJ and Sam's last week.

At TJ's they had brownies with cherrys in it. I hate cherrys so that was easy to pass up. I will miss the wine samples but there is always mass for a touch of wine.

At Sam's. I had the inside of a sushi sample. Then purchased some sushi. I take the inside out and put it in turkey slices and roll it up.

They had meatball samples and I had 1/2 a meatball and no sauce.

It is pretty easy to pass up a lot of things. I think about how long it takes on the elliptical to burn the calories off, so that makes passing things up easily.

I live alone so there are no bad foods in my house, even the "cheat" type foods are clean.

We are surrounded by temptation all the time, just watching TV for example. You have to find a tool that helps you cope. Like I said for me, I think about how long it takes me to burn that many calories.

Trader Joe's has so many awesome healthy options though, you shouldn't feel a lot of temptation. When they get Cookies and other stuff (I think their cookies and baked goods suck), you can get the sugar free chocolate coated almonds. They have sugar alcohol, so should really limit how many you have or you are going to pay for it. I was eating them long before surgery, although I hadn't had any since surgery. The one thing I did with them, was as soon as I got home, I measured out the portions into snack baggies so I always had the right portion amount. Post-op, I would probably have 1/2 a portion or less. They have riced cauliflower frozen that you can use for making all kinds of low carb dishes. Almond meal, almond milk, cheap ghee.

Good luck