Feeling a lot of feelings - Kind of in a blue mood

Hi all,

I am feeling a bit down.  Work is slow for the most part and I have a job that doesn't let you leave if there is no work to do. Part of my job is also reading letters from people who will be profoundly hurt if all the budget cuts from the California budget go through. These letters are gut wrenching and it depresses me. 

I am also filled with anxiety.  My old way of handling boredom at work was to munch my way through the afternoon while sitting at my desk. I am not doing that right now and instead I am just sitting with the boredom.  I do have things to do, but they're boring tasks.  There is a lot to like about my job, but it's been so slow for the past 2 weeks. I am realizing how much the food masked in terms of feelings.

I feel depressed, bored, and sad. Sad that my crutch is gone to address these feelings. SIGH! I know intellectually this is a good thing to go through this and I'll get used to my feelings, but I feel like I am sort of insane right now.  I just want to eat something. ACK!!!!

Thanks for reading.

MsBlues

Hugs to you MsBlues!  I haven't had my rny yet so I don't have any good advice, however, I know that I will prob go through those feelings as well.  Currently I have no job, I was laid off in november and have gone through the massive depression etc.  Currently pulling myself out of it and making strides to improve my health.

I wish I had wisdom to present here but just wanted to let you know that Im sending you positive thoughts that you have done something wonderful for yourself and I can't wait to be where you are. 

Hugs!!

Jackie

Being bored at work or at home is dangerous.  Even being post op I miss my foods I used to eat.  Not that I can't eat them now, I choose not to eat the foods I used to.  I don't want to go back to where I was.  Grab yourself veggies, some hi protein nuts, anything that you can eat without worrying about it.  There are lots of little snacks, but make them small and eat every 2-3 hours instead of three meals a day.  Drink your liquids, add crystal light, make a big production about what you eat no matter what it is.  You are in the nourning stage, and you are mourning the loss of your friend, FOOD.  It too shall pass.

Wishing you the best, Diane

Dear MsBlues,

It seems that your nickname is very appropriate just now, doesn't it? :) I had my surgery on 05/18/09 so I am just a bit ahead of you in time lapsed since my  RNY.

I too am struggling with depression issues right now. I just feel kind of blue, kind of tired and kind of lost. I am a teacher so I am supposedly on my summer vacation right now. I do't feel like doing much, and the surgeon said no extensive travel for another month. It would be MUCH better for me to be at work now!

I gathered from some reading I have been doing that it is not uncommon to feel some blues about now, even though that doesn't help me much to know it. I honestly can't say why I am blue-- I don't know if I am missing food, or missing my usual comfort fix or just worn out from surgery and working out.....whatever is causing it, I hope it passes sooner rather than later...

I am hoping to attend a support group meeting soon, in Monterey, I guess or San Jose. Are there any meetings in Santa Cruz that you could attend?

Hope we cheer up soon, right?

Cindy

I know how you feel and I am nearly 7 years out from surgery and find myself grazing when I should not be doing so. I hate it and I eat over emotions....I think we all do.

Sometimes part of the battle is being aware of your habits even though you do not like them and to learn from them. Hard to say if I/we will ever stop being an emotional eater, but as Diane said we can make choices with the food we choose to eat.

You know the old saying goes you can operate on the stomach, but not the brain. Perhaps during this slow time at work, you can also write out what your feelings are and perhaps this would help you with understanding why you eat around your emotions and give you something else to do beside hand to mouth action...you can have hand to heart action instead.

Good luck and if you find the key....open that door!

Thanks for all your responses.  I am in mourning, definitely.  I miss my outlet and relaxtion tool. I am trying to use all my non-food tools to deal with this.  I belong to an eating disorders support group, I write to this board and I go to a bariatric support group once a month. Boredom at work is a big problem for me. I don't get bored outside of work. I am good at finding things to do. In fact I noticed during the weekend, I didn't have the will to munch, but it's during the week at work when I get this urge.  Now that I know that, I have to figure out what else to do. This is hard!!!