Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

I would love to hear your suggestions for how you cope when you are having a hard time with stress, focusing on your weight loss, food cravings etc? Specifically coping mechanisms that aren't related to food in any way. Please share what helps you in troubled times! Thank you in advance ❤️

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Exercise. Taking a walk is so therapeutic on so many levels.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, AZhiker said:

Exercise. Taking a walk is so therapeutic on so many levels.

Walk in nature for stress, especially by a beach or Water (lake/river), you can try mediation, not sure when you had surgery but yoga 🧘‍♀️

Do fun things not involving food - paint rocks, watch a movie, put a puzzle together, listen to music and dance, ride bike.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Reading is how I cope. I enjoy it and it takes my mind off of any stress I'm feeling.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

13 hours ago, AZhiker said:

Exercise. Taking a walk is so therapeutic on so many levels.

I realized yesterday, I had not spent that much time outside in a LONG time. So sad!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, Ostflicka said:

Walk in nature for stress, especially by a beach or Water (lake/river), you can try mediation, not sure when you had surgery but yoga 🧘‍♀️

Do fun things not involving food - paint rocks, watch a movie, put a puzzle together, listen to music and dance, ride bike.

I haven't had surgery yet, but I'm trying to work on fixing all my bad habits in the 6 month countdown. Yoga is a big one. I really miss it. I think I just need to take a second and focus when these things happen. Its like I forget I have other options.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Craft.

I have begun to craft again. Cross stitching, diamond painting, etc. I want to try new crafts to stretch myself like painting (paint my number kits...I am comfortable following directions rather than open ended), I want to try knitting or crochet, puzzles are fun, I glue them up and mount them and have a whole wall of them.

lots of YouTube on anything you can thing of to get started on any hobby.

It’s getting colder so keep in mind to find indoor activities as well as outdoor.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Exercise (walking and strength training) is a big help. Also music helps me a lot. I put music on, blast it loud if I want, sing and dance along, whatever I feel like. It helps.

I know you said non-food related, but one thing that helps with cravings is this advice that I received: "Before you eat something bad, eat something good." What that meant was, before giving in to a craving to eat something totally off plan, have an on-plan snack and often the craving will lessen or go away. I've tried it and it's worked for me many times.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Lately, I remind myself that my food and my health are the only things I have control over. I hope to be able to get back to intense cardio so I can pretend I'm running away from my problems (while listening to music) once I lose a bit more weight. I watch fantasy shows that have little to do with reality or I read books. I need to get back into crafting and art too.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm pre-op as well and I feel like I have been working on coping mechanisms for quite a few years now as I became more and more aware of how I am a sugar addict/compulsive overeater.

I don't go to OA now but I have gone many times in past years. Friends from OA taught me how to use things other than food to help me cope like:

Calling a friend, going for a walk, journal, praying/meditation, quilting. I would say journaling has been my biggest help. When I didn't know what to write I either just put my pen to paper and kept writing anything for 15 minutes. Even if I wrote the same word &uck 1000 times I always felt better afterword. You could write a gratitude list or.......write about an issue that's been bothering you. You can burn it afterwords. No one has to see it.

Another thing is to write a letter to yourself but do it from the perspective of a good friend. In other words a good friend would be kind, forgiving, loving and caring. She/he would want to take care of you.

Best wishes on your journey.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

On 11/3/2020 at 3:34 PM, Morachia said:

Specifically coping mechanisms that aren't related to food in any way.

I stress clean/organize, immerse in fiction and research topics (doesn't matter what)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Taking a hot bath helps me. I also like a nice walk, and doing crafts or anything involving art. I really love painting my nails and doing nail art. It relaxes me.
Also, organizing things is relaxing to me. I clean a lot when I'm stressed.

Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

19 hours ago, 1000islandgirl said:

I'm pre-op as well and I feel like I have been working on coping mechanisms for quite a few years now as I became more and more aware of how I am a sugar addict/compulsive overeater.

I don't go to OA now but I have gone many times in past years. Friends from OA taught me how to use things other than food to help me cope like:

Calling a friend, going for a walk, journal, praying/meditation, quilting. I would say journaling has been my biggest help. When I didn't know what to write I either just put my pen to paper and kept writing anything for 15 minutes. Even if I wrote the same word &uck 1000 times I always felt better afterword. You could write a gratitude list or.......write about an issue that's been bothering you. You can burn it afterwords. No one has to see it.

Another thing is to write a letter to yourself but do it from the perspective of a good friend. In other words a good friend would be kind, forgiving, loving and caring. She/he would want to take care of you.

Best wishes on your journey.

I will say Journaling has been a HUGE help for me too. The days I journal, are the days I do the best. Thank you for your points, they are super helpful.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

On 11/4/2020 at 7:45 AM, Jstevens said:

Craft.

I have begun to craft again. Cross stitching, diamond painting, etc. I want to try new crafts to stretch myself like painting (paint my number kits...I am comfortable following directions rather than open ended), I want to try knitting or crochet, puzzles are fun, I glue them up and mount them and have a whole wall of them.

lots of YouTube on anything you can thing of to get started on any hobby.

It’s getting colder so keep in mind to find indoor activities as well as outdoor.

This is awesome. I'm a huge crafter too...I say this while I'm surrounded by 10 unfinished projects lol! They are all pretty big ones, so maybe I need small projects or something I can do in 20 to 30 minutes. I like to make costumes and upcycled art.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Make a list of things you love to do but don't get to do often enough..... list all the craft ideas you would love to do - and order yourself some ! Make that list ahead of time and make sure that you have the ability to do most of them --

Some of mine are:

clean out one drawer (feels great afterwards !)

deep condition my hair

garden ! (rake leaves, plant something, weed, sweep)

Play with the dog - dog walk - dog on car ride -

Take a nature walk

walk at outside mall and window shop

Yoga and if that is too much, Yoga breathing with my feet up against a wall for 20 minutes

Call a friend

Write old fashioned letters/cards to old friends/family

Sit outside (if you do not have a yard, try a park) and watch the birds

read a great book.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×