Snacking and eating even when I'm not hungry

[tigraq08 52]

I'm ten months out. I've lost a total of 85 pounds. And I'm in the stage where I can tolerate more food and bad food. And I don't want to deprive myself so I binge and I don't mean eat til I'm sick but I eat way more than I should, instead of one cookie I eat 8. Instead of one small pick up I eat 3 mini size candy bars. This was an issue before surgery and it's returning partly due to stress on the job. I'm trying to find coping skills. Please tell me if you're experiencing this and how you're working through. I don't want to be a failure and I definitely don't want to regain. I don't need your judgement. I need encouragement, support, and advice.

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[Flutterfly 23]

The surgery fixed your body but it didn't fix your brain. Coping mechanisms can be hard to find. I manage the urge to snack mindlessly easier during the day than I do at night. First step is identifying it. You know if it's real hunger or not, and if it's not you need to find something else to do. Period, end of story. If it's during the day (light outside) I go for a walk, then I make a hot cup of tea in a mock bakery flavor like caramel apple to curb my craving. Finally, I sit down and work through whatever is causing me to feel like I need to cope. It's not always easy. I write a lot. I find it's hard to use my hand to shove food in my mouth if I have a pen in it.

[Serena89 9]

I had revision RNY a year ago this month. I have lost 92 pounds and I deal with this problem as well. I don't overeat, but I am definitely eating foods bad for me almost every day. I have fibro, headaches, and just a lot of daily pain; so going for a walk is difficult for me a lot of the time. I try only having healthy alternatives in the house (baked chips, halo top, fruit... and when I'm having better days I bake healthy versions). I also do adult coloring books and Xbox. What I really think is the best is getting together with friends... play some cards!

[FluffyChix 17,410]

No judgement here. Just a question. What has changed between when you first had your surgery and now? Why do you find it acceptable behavior now, when in the beginning you trod a very narrow path and would not allow that behavior/response in yourself? If you can find the answer to that question and go back to the rules and limits of the early days (I'm not talking about punishing yourself with the 5 day pouch reset nonsense), you may be able to change your behaviors and avert disaster.

But, I honestly think that I would encourage anyone in your situation to seek out a counselor well-versed in bariatrics and one who knows how to treat people with food issues. ((hugs))

Edited October 28, 2017 by FluffyChix

[Flutterfly 23]

I wanted to add that I wholeheartedly agree with seeing a therapist/counselor, I didn't recommend it because a lot of people still feel a stigma with mental health and those services can be costly. You have been given some great advice though. Try and get to the root of your issue and then find a new way to cope or distract yourself from food. We all know how this feels though, and you're not alone, if we didn't identify with making poor choices we likely wouldn't have found ourselves here in the first place. The good news is you can always DECIDE to make better choices.

[blondie66 271]

Yeah unfortunately in time we can go back to bad habits. You can also gain the weight back not as easily as before but it can happen with poor eating choices and little exercise. I can eat whatever I want so I try to balance out my eating with exercise. I do have bad days where I eat too much. I try and balance it out by being stricter during week and more relaxed on what I eat on weekends. It might be a good idea if U can join a support group or exercise group - something that can help support you and make you accountable such as weight watchers to help you build better eating habits. I know myself if I stick to 3 meals and 1 or 2 Snacks and exercise I'm good but normally I find I snack too much and don't make good choices. Any diet or healthy eating program will work it's finding the one that you will stick too. Exercise I find essential to controlling my weight and helping me to handle stress. Maybe u could try that along with finding healthy substitutes for your snacking such as fruit and smoothies. There are also numerous life coaches available online that might be able to offer a support program. Good luck!! We've been given an opportunity to release our excess weight now we just have to keep up a program to maintain it. I found little support from my hospital's nutritionist - just the usual this is what 1400 Cals a day looks like but that's hard to live with on a day to day basis and weekend and vacations.

[boliramirez 44]

Come on !! you do not need support, you know what you have to do........ so start doing it.

[rie one day at a time 1]

Hi you will do great ... You have come this for everything is a struggle...

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