Question:
How do you channel emotional eating into something else?
I am scheduled for RNY on 09/21/07. Food has always been my friend. I eat when I'm happy, sad, bored, etc. Once I have RNY I know that those same emotions are still going to be there. I'm worried that after surgery I may turn to something else to channel those feelings since food won't be an option. Have any of you struggled with this? — CAROLEE FRUGE (posted on August 28, 2007)
August 28, 2007
That is a great question! We all have that fear, that is why support groups
and therapy are so important. Many WLS patients have turned their addiction
to alchol, sex or even shopping. My support groups and friends that have
had the surgery are my life line. They have rescued me many times.
— Lost4Ever
August 28, 2007
I had that same fear that I would channel my addiction/love for food to
something else, and guess what, I did!! I focus on things like working
out, spending time with my family, and with my weight loss, I now love to
go and try on new clothes. I will tell you the first month or so was very
hard, but I prayed about it and with the support of my family and friends,
I made it thru. I cried alot because I really missed eating, but when I
saw the weight coming off, it helped me overcome that. I still at times
really miss some foods, but then I just look at old pics of me and a new
pic of me, and then I remember why I did the surgery in the first place. I
never want to be that person again. You will get thru it. I will pray for
you.
— jaymekin
August 28, 2007
Sure! Head hunger and dealing with emotions with food is an issue. I
started to make lifestyle changes before surgery - portion control, eating
hi-protein, low fat, sugar free or low sugar. Cut out all soda and
carbonated drinks. It was hard in the beginning, but after a few days, it
was fine. The head hunger and the cravings were another obstacle. Right
after surgery you could care less about anything except sleep, remembering
to eat and recooperating. Once you start feeling good (about 1-2 weeks) you
might have those cravings. Not much you can do in the early stages as you
are on liquids or pureed foods. So you go for a walk. Read a book. Clean
the house. Do some laundry. Call a girlfriend for support. Go online and
chat with a friend on OH. Once you get past the whole beginning
stages.....when I have a craving, which isn't often, but it happens around
my period - find a healthy subsitute that you can tolerate. Good luck.
— jammerz
August 28, 2007
Hi Carolee,
I sure understand how you feel. I decided to start following the
guidelines before surgery (mine is scheduled for 9/17/07) to help me make
the adjustment. I have found replacements for the things I used to rely
upon. I remind myself that the carbs I crave will only make me hungrier.
I substitute protein. I look at a piece of cake now and say if I eat that
I will suffer hunger as well as defeat my purpose of enjoying good health
and normal weight. In other words, find new and better friends! I love
Fit and Light yoghurt and prefer it to any other kind. Sugar free
popsicles are my friend. I count my protein every day on FitDay (computer
program) to see how the nutrition breaks down. I wish you lots of luck.
Since our surgery is so close in date, let's stay in touch! Good luck!
— [Deactivated Member]
August 28, 2007
Hi Carolee,
I sure understand how you feel. I decided to start following the
guidelines before surgery (mine is scheduled for 9/17/07) to help me make
the adjustment. I have found replacements for the things I used to rely
upon. I remind myself that the carbs I crave will only make me hungrier.
I substitute protein. I look at a piece of cake now and say if I eat that
I will suffer hunger as well as defeat my purpose of enjoying good health
and normal weight. In other words, find new and better friends! I love
Fit and Light yoghurt and prefer it to any other kind. Sugar free
popsicles are my friend. I count my protein every day on FitDay (computer
program) to see how the nutrition breaks down. I wish you lots of luck.
Since our surgery is so close in date, let's stay in touch! Good luck!
— [Deactivated Member]
August 28, 2007
Hi Carolee,
You've asked such an important question! And you've received some great
suggestions. I've started putting into practice some of them already after
reading a book called _Life is Hard, Food is Easy_ by Linda Spangle, RN.
She talks about figuring out "why" you eat, even down to if you
eat such-and-such food it's because you're angry, sad, etc. Then she walks
you through figuring out a plan to deal with the issues that doesn't
involve food. Good healthy read, and good pre-surgery reading, too. I'm
pre-op ... my RNY is scheduled for 10/11 ... and I'm glad I found this book
so that I can start figuring this out now. I KNOW I'm an emotional eater!
;-) I checked it out from my library before I bought my own copy.
Best wishes!
Cindy
— Cindy E.
August 28, 2007
Hi Carolee,
First congratulations on your decision to get healthy! You are taking such
a big step and you are obviously looking at making the most of your
decision since you are looking for answers to problems before they actually
become problems. Something that helps is to plan things to keep your hands
busy. Do you usually eat watching TV? If so, try knitting, sewing, etc
while watching TV. If your hands are busy - they can't be putting food in
your mouth. Another biggie is start moving. When yu want to eat - take a
walk instead. Walk for 15 minutes, by the time you are done you won't want
to eat. But mostly, you just have to retrain yourself to not think about
food all the time. That really is the hardest part, but it can be done.
Good luck!
— VickiStevens
August 28, 2007
you should asked this questions of your nutrutionist of psychological
advisor. There is no easy fix for that.
— beckiemclarty
August 28, 2007
My nutritionist saw this was my problem, the second time I went to see her.
I had eaten a whole bag of candy because I was angry with those I live
with and of course, that's emotional eating. She decided that I should get
in touch with a therapist to work on those emotional issues that cause me
to eat and gave me the name of some mental health places to go in my area.
And as so many of the others stated, I put the bariatric style of eating
into practice before I had my RNY on 8/21/07 and at least, as of now, I'm
not craving anything, thank God. And I'm still dealing with other people,
so I still could try to eat over it, but I am reminded that nothing is
going to change by my eating anything, or drinking, or gambling, or using
anything. I need to deal with my feelings and this forum is a great place
to talk about those feelings.
Sue
— sue_secore
August 28, 2007
My nutritionist saw that this was my problem, the second time I went to see
her. I had eaten a whole bag of candy because I was angry with those I
live with and of course, that's emotional eating. She decided that I
should get in touch with a therapist to work on those emotional issues that
cause me to eat and gave me the name of some mental health places to go in
my area. And as so many of the others stated, I put the bariatric style of
eating into practice before I had my RNY on 8/21/07 and at least, as of
now, I'm not craving anything, thank God. And I'm still dealing with other
people, so I still could try to eat over it, but I am reminded that nothing
is going to change by my eating anything, or drinking, or gambling, or
using anything. I need to deal with my feelings and this forum is a great
place to talk about them. Sue
— sue_secore
August 29, 2007
See a therapist is my best advice and go to support groups. I wihs I had
gotten in theraphy when I had mine 14 years ago and stayed in it. Surgery
will help your body , you have to help your mind.
— DonnaB.
August 29, 2007
I was an emotional eater, also. But since surgery, it doesn't bother me
much. If I want something, I just take a little.
I always loved cheesecake and bought the single slices and the dog got one
of them. they just do not taste good anymore. Plus, sweets make me sick. If
I get depressed, I go out and pull weeds or mow or something out in the
fresh air. It takes away the desire to eat. and makes you feel good, plus I
am getting exercise.
I love it, I love it. My husband left me because he couldn't handle the new
me, one who is confident and tired of being pushed around. All I did was
refuse to do what he wanted and that was enough to leave me after 30 yrs,
but I would do it again in a heartbeat. I am so much healthier and happy
with myself.
So, it may not be that big of an issue.
— geneswife
August 29, 2007
Dear Carolee, I feel its only fair to tell you I am scheduled for DS on
9/5 but when I was younger, in my 30's I chose to make something that was
healthy my friend so I joined a fitness center and used aerobic excercise
and swimming my outlet for my stress release. I was doing great till my
life fell apart and I couldnt afford the fitness center and my health
prevented me from doing any exercise at all, even walking, the more weight
I gained the less I could do, that's why I'm having the WLS so I can lose
the weight I need to get healthy again. anyway, I am going to get back
into lap swimming and water aerobics, and if my joints and back problems
allow it I'll start jogging again. I found walking on a tread mill and
exercise were great for stress release, I hope and pray this helps you, one
thing I always have to remember is "it's all in the attitude" you
are going to get slim, you are going to gain energy, get out there and
exercise, make it fun, find a friend to do it with you, leave your weight
behind you and go have some fun :-) and remember it's all in the
ATTITUDE!!! I'll be praying for you....and you go girl!!! Best wishes and
God Bless, Melody
— purpleangel0909
August 29, 2007
Hi Carolee!
So many people responded to your question, which goes to show that it's
EVERYBODY'S fear. I'd like to share a little about my 42- year love affair
with food.
When I was getting approval from the insurance company, they required a
clincal assessment to see if I was emotionally ready for bypass. I came up
with a list of 25 things to do instead of eating. It's was harder than I
thought, particularly because I was so winded all the time from carrying
the extra weight. Food was recreation for me! I did it, though. I also
joined O.A. and the bypass support group to channel some of my emotional
baggage and understand myself.
However, in the first months after the surgery, you are phsyically UNABLE
to eat the way you used to. I was NOT as prepared emotionally as I had
originally thought. I cried and cried every day, profoundly mourning the
loss of my relationship with food. I was so heartbroken!!! I had a VERY
hard time adjusting to losing my best friend.
I spent the first several months throwing up because I either ate too
fast, too much, or didn't chew enough. Eventually, this old goat learned
that she didn't have to punish/reward herself with food.
The appetite eventually does return, so you have to be prepared to come up
with alternatives to overeating. People fail to do this all the time, and
many gain weight back after bypass. You are wise to be concerned. My best
advice is to make a decision to de successful, and deserving of this gift.
Once I accepted these basic facts, I was able to be proactive with positive
coping strategies.
The last thing I did was make a list of all the things I was missing out on
by weighing 400 pounds. Some were as simple as sitting in a movie theather
seat, or even going downstairs to do laundry. The big one was going to
Disneyland, or riding a bike for the first time in 30 years.
After surgery, I adjusted to my new stomach/way of life. I began to attain
the goals of my "missings" list. I was able to do more and
more. As I gained mobility and became more successful, I realized HOW MUCH
I ATE BECAUSE OF LONELINESS OR BOREDOM. I hated to admit it, but I was one
lonely girl. The food had been my protector, friend, lover, parent, you
name it. Guess what? I realized that there were NEW pleasures in life, many
just as, or more reqarding than OVEReating. What an ephipany!
Now, I only eat when I am hungry. I chose healthy foods. I enjoy my
measured meals, but when they are over, they are OVER. Honey, it took 44
years to get here. I was a professional failure at dieting all my life, and
I have stories of binges that could curl your hair! If I can do it , YOU
can do it.
Feel free to write me any time, or write anyone with whom you can related.
This is a wonderful resources, and can help you through the journey! I am
rooting for you, Carolee!
Fondly,
PJ
— pjwilsen
August 31, 2007
I had Lapband surgery 10 days ago, but had the same worries as you. I have
always been an emotional eater and worried how I would compensate when I
could no longer feed my emotions. I strongly recommend attending a support
group (your surgeon should be able to recommend one). OH is wonderful help
as well, but talking with people in person who have been through it has
really been helpful to me.
Take care and best of luck,
Angela
— purplebutterfly
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