This is the first period of stress that I faced since I had my sleeve surgery. I'm an English teacher and It is time to grade research papers. Normally in the past, I would turn to sugar and lots of snack to help me get through the many hours of long grading in the next few weeks.

When I had the band, even though I couldn't eat a lot, I could still eat sugar and the other foods that make me feel better and help me focus more.

Now I am struggling to get through this without turning to those old habits. After 6 weeks I have healed up great, and I have very little restriction and no food intolerances so far. Unfortunately in this case, it is making it easy for me to eat foods I shouldn't be eating.

I am just looking for moral support and people to cheer me on to help me get through this hard time. If you are a good cheerleader, I could use your help right now lol!

Try your very best to break that cycle (you can do it!!!) But these are my go to candy substitutes for when you *need* a little something

Aah the joy (not) of trying to break our cravings, habits & dependencies. Back when I taught in another life, I often mindlessly grazed when I was prepping or marking work. I had a jar of lollies on my desk & would be constantly eating them so I understand that desire. Now, I find it helps if I make myself wait or do something to distract myself for say 30 minutes before actually satisfying the craving helpful. Often by the time that 30 minutes passes, I don’t want it anymore. You could say, I’ll have something sweet after I mark X more papers. Sometimes a cup of tea, a shake, an electrolyte drink or similar you can sip as you work can help & give you a little boost. In time you’ll be able nibble on nuts or fruit likes blueberries - more nutritious hits of sweet & salty.

Congrats on doing so well so far.

Edited August 28, 20214 yr by Arabesque

4 hours ago, Maribelle76 said:

This is the first period of stress that I faced since I had my sleeve surgery. I'm an English teacher and It is time to grade research papers. Normally in the past, I would turn to sugar and lots of snack to help me get through the many hours of long grading in the next few weeks.

When I had the band, even though I couldn't eat a lot, I could still eat sugar and the other foods that make me feel better and help me focus more.

Now I am struggling to get through this without turning to those old habits. After 6 weeks I have healed up great, and I have very little restriction and no food intolerances so far. Unfortunately in this case, it is making it easy for me to eat foods I shouldn't be eating.

I am just looking for moral support and people to cheer me on to help me get through this hard time. If you are a good cheerleader, I could use your help right now lol!

Hi, have you swapped from band to sleeve, if so would be great to chat as I have x

This is the first period of stress that I faced since I had my sleeve surgery. I'm an English teacher and It is time to grade research papers. Normally in the past, I would turn to sugar and lots of snack to help me get through the many hours of long grading in the next few weeks.
When I had the band, even though I couldn't eat a lot, I could still eat sugar and the other foods that make me feel better and help me focus more.
Now I am struggling to get through this without turning to those old habits. After 6 weeks I have healed up great, and I have very little restriction and no food intolerances so far. Unfortunately in this case, it is making it easy for me to eat foods I shouldn't be eating.
I am just looking for moral support and people to cheer me on to help me get through this hard time. If you are a good cheerleader, I could use your help right now lol!

I think the 1st thing you need to do is give yourself a huge hug, this is for recognizing your triggers. Now you just have to plan accordingly. One of the team members posted some sweet healthier alternatives. Grab some, then cut some dill pickles cubes of low fat cheese cubes of rotisserie chicken, etc. Trick is to make uself a tray of snacks with huge cup protein decaf coffee and dig into those papers n your snacks. Sounds like a challenge up ahead but you have the tools to do it!

Sent from my SM-G981V using BariatricPal mobile app

9 hours ago, Arabesque said:

Now, I find it helps if I make myself wait or do something to distract myself for say 30 minutes before actually satisfying the craving helpful. Often by the time that 30 minutes passes, I don’t want it anymore.

+1 on the strategy of Delayed Gratification.

I used this approach throughout weight loss phase, and even now at almost 3 years out.

People often ask how I can stand to be around so much food goodness and not eat any of it (or much of it), and its really because I don’t really say “no”… I just say “not now”.

Works for other things in life besides food; shopping for clothes, quitting smoking, delaying the urge to confront someone when they do something annoying, getting a tattoo.

When an impulse or want comes, sit for a bit or do something else for a predetermined amount of time. If you still really want to do it after the time elapsed, go ahead. If unsure, wait another bit of time. If the burning desire is gone, congrats, you just managed an impulse!

On the flip side, delayed gratification *may* have some unintended effects: i am also a huge procrastinator ?

Thank you guys for the wonderful support and suggestions! I'm going to try all of them. I did survive last night. I ended up eating some cheese and olives. I was feeling guilty about the extra calories, but then I thought about how much worse it could have been (and usually was) in the past. That made me proud. And I lost a pound today. Yay!