Mind games

[sadadhatura]

I am starting to realize what everyone is talking about when they say you have to band your mind. There are times, mostly when I am totally stressed out, that I find myself wanting to graze or just stand in the kitchen going what do I want.

I KNOW I can't have this or that, but in my mind I can get around it somehow or eat lots of stuff that I can have. I know this is going to be a life long project but there are just days that drive me insane!!!

I was banded a little over two months ago and now my son had his banding two weeks ago. He is also a stress eater.

Any suggestions to break that?

[lemonzlime]

It's a process, I'm almost 2yrs out and just now feel I am getting a grip on the 'mindless' eating or stress eating or whatever one wants to call it. In my opinion its been best to have some sort of back up plan in these times. I didn't care to exercise but I am making myself go do something and I actually enjoy exercise now, or just being active. I'd get really bored and then the thoughts would come to mind about finding something to munch on. Now I just go outside and water flowers, walk around the block do a Wii game of bowling. Anything to break that addiction to food. If all else fails don't keep trigger foods in your house but keep good healthy snacks. That way if you just have to have something you can know you are making a good choice. In the past I kept a well stocked house of things I liked to munch on. Now I don't, and its amazing if you don't have it the craving passes by. Good luck!

[cuddles]

I have to talk to myself and ask do I really need this, Remeber this is how I got heavy in the first place, Also a good thing to remember if you eat too much I usuallu threw up or just be uncomfotable for a while and it is not worth it, I too are a emotional and stress eater

[sadadhatura]

I am really struggling with the mind part. I have had my first fill of 2cc's and doing good with that. Thank God I haven't thrown up or anything like that, but can't seem to stay within the 4oz my Doctor says for meals. I see the half a cup and even measure, but then add this or think I need that to go with it. Do food scales work? I have done the smaller bowls, plates and even baby spoons. It really is frustrating getting your mind in gear!!!

[missionhealthy]

If you are only two months out, give yourself some time. Plus, when you get a little more fluid in your band that will help. I am almost a year out and I still have "bad days". I don't know if those every go away, but it has gotten easier as I go. Hugs to you.

Terri

[sadadhatura]

Thanks Terri, I needed that this morning. We decided to go out of town for the weekend, nothing major. I really tried to watch the foods I ate, but still managed to GAIN two pounds!!!! Totally stressed out over it. I know there will be good days as well as bad and that scale will go up and down. It's nice to know that there are others out there that still have issues too.

[mindwing]

I find that even when I am being good, my scale fluctuates up and down. I may eat more salt one day or go over my carb limit, then 3 or 4 days later I drop it all plus a pound. I would suggest you don't stress over gaining a pound or two, but focus on what you are eating and how you can change your diet to lose better. As long as you are losing 4-6 pounds a month, you are doing great.

Actually, I went for a year gaining and losing the same 20 lbs because I didn't have a proper fill. But I didn't stress over it ( well, I guess I did, but not bad). I used the time to learn what foods did to me, which ones made me hungry and which ones just caused a temporary water gain.

This is a lifetime trip, not just a short term diet.

Now I am losing beautifully for about two weeks every month. The other two weeks I allow myself indulgent foods and just maintain. The band helps me not be so hungry and I have learned to avoid many of my trigger foods. Sometimes I forget and eat a trigger food--after gaining 4-5 lbs. I crawl back to my healthy eating and start losing again.