I say my head because I am doing things I know I shouldn't. I got may band on 3/9/09. By Mother's Day I was a size 14 down from a 22. I had lost about 30lbs and I was very pleased with the way things were going. I had a fill on 4/13 and didn't have much trouble with any food as long as I chewed well. I wasn't hungry and I was easily making the good choices. I was so happy when I was finally under 200lbs for the first time in almost 25 years! NOW I have had two bad weeks in a row. The crazy thing is that June was supposed to be my "jump off" month. I have a trip planned in the middle of Aug. and I wanted to get another 15 or so pounds off by then. I keep eating, not hungry I just keep eating. I don't know why, I eat and then eat again and then I eat again. I also find myself grazing. I am not hungry at these times, I am just doing it. I don't seem to know how to stop myself. It is as if my head doesn't want any part of this any more. For that reason I don't want another fill, I don't think I need one since I'm not having trouble getting full. Each night I go to bed telling myself that tomorrow will be the day I get it back together, but it's just not happening. How do I get past this craziness?

Niterun - I was banded the day after you. The band does wonderful things for taking away our hunger, but that head hunger sure is another issue! I've found myself standing with the refrigerator or pantry doors open, not even sure how I got there! I've had to tell myself out loud "You are NOT hungry, what are you doing??" It is just such a habit. I was gone for my stepson's wedding a week ago and it is amazing how being away from home and my routine got me away from my good habits I had going.

How about getting out a picture of you at your highest weight and now, and comparing the two, so you can see the progress you have made? Or getting out a pair of your old pants that are now too big as a reminder of how far you have come? My doc suggests waiting until I am hungry to eat - not eating just because it is lunch time. That really seems to help me and is retraining me to eat when my body needs it, not just because. I've had a couple of those days where I grazed on things I shouldn't, but for me they didn't taste as good as they used to, and the guilt - oh my!!

You're not alone in this - head hunger is something I'll always fight. Put yourself and your health first and really make an effort to think through any food choice before you eat.

Let me know how you are doing.

p.s. I log all my food and exercise on thedailyplate.com. If you aren't logging what you eat, this may help. Seeing the calories, Protein, etc., really was eye opening for me. I entered I wanted to eat 1200 calories a day (I average 950-1200) and it lets you know how many calories you have remaining after each food selection and has a great database of foods. Almost any food you can think of is listed there.

Edited June 15, 200917 yr by bambam

My biggest challenge has been what my psychologist calls self sabotage. Sometimes we are subconciously more afraid of being skinny than we are of being overweight. Here is a great article that may give you some insight if you are having these same issues:

Self-Sabotage: Reasons Not to Lose Weight | Suite101.com

thanks so much for the idea of dailyplate.com. i love it!

the artical was right on time. BINGO!!! i knew i was doing it to myself, this should help me work on why. thanks bunches. i haven't been logging the food just because i already know it's to much. not doing to bad today, but it is still early, i am taking it hour by hour also trying to stay busy. back up to 199.5 this moring, hope next week i will be down to 197, fingers crossed!!