Need Non-Food Rewards and tips for emotional eating.

[SixOfOne]

I'm a "reward eater." if I cleaned the house, I get a snack...put up with difficult patients, pizza for everyone...organized a trip, entire bag of Lindt truffles etc. So I'm looking for non food rewards. Help.

I'm also an emotional eater...Mac and cheese bc I'm worried, brownies because someone rejected me...a pint of ice-cream so I don't have to deal with tax papers...etc. How do you deal with this once you're banded? Do I need a shrink? Should the band come with a tiny lobotomy? That might simplify things.

[nightnurse]

Alcohol is a clear liquid

[newlifeat57]

PS
I'm a "reward eater." if I cleaned the house, I get a snack...put up with difficult patients, pizza for everyone...organized a trip, entire bag of Lindt truffles etc. So I'm looking for non food rewards. Help.

I'm also an emotional eater...Mac and cheese bc I'm worried, brownies because someone rejected me...a pint of ice-cream so I don't have to deal with tax papers...etc. How do you deal with this once you're banded? Do I need a shrink? Should the band come with a tiny lobotomy? That might simplify things.

Hi Six.... You aren't alone on this. Many of us need to band our minds/head as well as our stomach. I think emotional eating and reward eating are the most difficult things to overcome. You asked if a shrink was needed, and personally I think many of us need counseling of some sort or another to deal with the issues that led us to needing the lap band. My first year, I saw a nutritionist/counselor once a month. This really helped me to zero in on the things I needed to change. I am still working on those things. After 2 years I haven't lost as much as I would have liked to (I've had many other health issues that have kept me from losing) but I'm more in control of my eating than I've ever been in my life and I think my nutritionist helped me learn how to control some aspects of my emotional eating. I've had to substitute physical things for those food treats.

Another thing that has helped me is a little tidbit that was handed down to me by a friend that got a bypass and that was to buy a hand held game. I love to play it and it has helped me keep my mind off of food. After a hard and long day at work, I used to come home and graze and then eat dinner. Now I come home get myself something good to drink (low fat/calories), sit down and pull out my game and I do this until its time to make myself dinner. Sometimes, I just eat early and then later when I think I should eat again, I pull out the game and do that instead of eating. OF COURSE... B2G had been the BEST help for skirting around those moments I want to eat. I come here instead of eating. I hope I have helped a little. Also congratulations on your weight loss. Be patient and whatever you do....Don't Give Up!!!

P.S. I'm not sure alcohol is a good substitute. Be careful with that. Many times we substitute other things for food, such as shopping, alcohol, and even sex. Addiction to food is just that....an addiction!!! When we cut out one thing we may gravitate to something else. Be mindful of what you do.

[SixOfOne]

Alcohol is a clear liquid

Rofl I love this :)

[SixOfOne]

Thanks newlife. Good suggestions.

[SixOfOne]

Btw, I really can't drink alcohol much. I get an instant headache. So, little danger of that being my new crutch. I do realize that I have a compulsive, addictive pattern though. Trying to channel this into good things like nutrition, exercise, photography, etc. Would love to take up yoga when I can see my toes again. Also, I've found an app for my iPad that I use to track weight, nutrients, measurements etc. I find that I have a high capacity for denial and tracking intake makes me accountable.

I love audio books especially memoirs of people who've been to rehab etc. One thing I learned from their talk of AA meetings is H.A.L.T. It stands for hungry,angry, tired,lonely. When confronted with the urge to drink you ask yourself if you are having one of these issues. But I think it could work for emotional eating... Just change it to start with am I really hungry?

[503-250]

Non-food rewards?
The shrink from my surgeon's office recommended a reward system. Pick something you want but would never buy for yourself. Then...each time you think about buy a snack, candy, "reward food" simply take that money and put it in a jar. You were already committed to spending the money, now you can spend it in a healthy productive way. I used mine to buy luxury items, an iPod, a mountain bike, and next it will fund my scuba diving certification.

My non-food rewards were also tattoos, every 50lbs I have taken back the way my body looks by choosing to decorate it by my choice...these my not be considered acceptable by some but it seems to make perfect sense to me. I recommend something like that...something personal, something of your choice, without the concern of other people's opinions. This is about you, this is your journey.

As for the emotional eating....remember that the trigger to eat usually lasts less then 15mins. Find another outlet for that energy, that drive. Many people have laughed at me, but I have six steps in my front hall...when I am in that position I go walk up and down the steps until the urge passes. I also cheat and keep SF ice pops, pudding and fudgepops in the icebox....if none of the above work...I give in...I just choose how I will give in.

If you don't mind, let me know what iPad app you are using...sounds like a good tool.