Triggers and how to cope with it

[karine76 82]

So tonight was a very bad evening for me. Something that happened got my old triggers awake which would normally make me go buy myself a binging dinner to make me feel good again, . but now with the sleeve I cannot do that and I have no idea what to turn to when this happens. I don't have many friends, no S.O, no parents left to talk to . so really went into panic mode . I should probably seek some help for this but I don't know. I'm sur I'M not the only one who have this issues. how do people deal with that?

[frananp03 110]

Many of us know that we turn to food for comfort but we dont always "realize" it until we cant during this journey. Some will return to comforting themselves with food after a period of time because they do not acknowledge what is happening.

We have a period of time where we can learn and fix this problem and now is that time.

So what can you do to cope?

Journal...your feelings and whats happening

Get professional help if necessary

Visit a website called AMIHUNGRY.COM

distract your self in any way...read a book...adult coloring...go for a walk...learn a new hobby. Anything that will get your mind off the food.

Keep busy during these times. The best thing you can do for your self is recognize the situations. Write them down and learn a new habit.

It is the hardest thing we do for ourselves but we habe the opportunity to do it in order to make changes that last for what ever time we have left on this earth.

[111 118]

For me, I learned that taking a nice long soak in the tub did the trick. But there are sometime I think of investing in a punching bag. Lol. Plan for bad days: beat the crap out of the punching bag, then soak in the tub. Sounds good to me!

[higher 966]

Maybe it's because I'm a jewish New Yorker but regular psychotherapy is a way of life for me and holds no stigma. Cannot recommend gentle talk therapy enough. I've upped my appointment frequency since surgery - too many changes and no reason to go it alone. You should also inquire about low dose fast acting anti anxiety mess like ativan or Xanax. It comforts me just to have a bottle around, I almost never use them. But I like to know they are there just in case.

And second the bathtub suggesting. Posting from an aromatherapy bath rn. Lol.

Meds not mess.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

In addition to therapy and counseling, you may also want to consider exploring Overeaters Anonymous. There are meeting lists and other resources, like podcasts, online at OA.org.

A good book you may want to read is EAT IT UP!

There are other books that you may find helpful, Luke anything by Geneen Roth.

[butterfly23 423]

@@karine76 than you for posting as I can really relate. For me, not only is food bingeing no longer an option, but after losing 180 pounds I find I am more sensitive to triggers because I used weight as protection. In fact, I have been stalled and think this is part of it, I think I need more non-weight boundaries.

Some of my feelings (for me, shame, anger and fear - others I seem to handle fine) are so overwhelming, not too mention the hormone dump which is normal from burning fat. I have had to really work to build other ways of coping - but mostly, I have had to increase my capacity to sit with really intense feelings of shame and fear.

I still have much work to do and weight to lose, but mindfulness practice, self-compassion rituals and shame resilience work have been my path to dealing with triggers, and boy I seem to have more and more as the weight goes.

Great job posting and asking for what you need. Identifying that you were triggered is good work and the first step. Perhaps make a list of all of the things you can do to take care of yourself for moments like this - that has helped me. You got some great suggestions above.

Keep reaching out - your are doing great work for yourself!