HELP ME WITH OVER EATING!

Now when I had surgery my surgeon says you will only beable to eat 1/4 a cup I can eat more depend on the type of food it is. And when I can over eat I do help what things you have all tryed in the past to help with that urge?????????????

Dear Marlena, My first suggestion would be to go with foods that are more difficult to overeat since you say overeating depends on the type of food. Select foods that take a long time to chew and that sit a bit heavy on the stomach. I find it much easier to overeat fish than beef, for example. And it is easier to overeat chili than roast. You could get a kitchen scale and weigh out your servings so you know exactly how much to put on your plate. Be sure to get on that you can zero out--you can zero out the weight of the plate, and then get a reading for the first item, zero out again, get a reading for the second item, etc. Fill your plate and put away the remaining food before you eat. Also, if you are interested in any kind of craft, do that as well during meal times. I knit when I eat and find that it keeps me slowed down so I chew longer so generally take longer to eat. Make sure you like what you are eating--since you are eating so little of it, it should be worthwhile! Set some goals that you can control--"take 20 minutes to finish my meal," "eat only what I weigh out and place on my plate," " chew each bite 20 times," etc. As you acheive those behavior goals, you will find encouragement and inspiration for more goals. I know this can be tough to deal with, so best of luck, Sally

Marlena, This is a daily struggle for me. The only thing that works is for me to put out the proper portion size to begin with, then put the rest away...I have to tell you though I am only marginally sucessful with this discipline. I eat 1 cup of soft foods very easily...so I try to do the protein first thing and really limit what I'm putting in my mouth. I am 11 months out, the urge to eat is back with a vengence. It came back at about 5 to 6 months out, which is where you are. It really scares me. I so want to be a long term success at this. Hang in there Marlena, keep posting and reading and doing the best you can. That is what I'm doing. Lori 384/245/168

I was eating a 1/4 cup only right after surgery. I can eat more than that now, and I think most post ops do. I usually eat 1/2 cup portions of cottage cheese, yogurt, puddings, etc. Like Lori, I can eat soft foods easily and I have to pay attention to what I am doing or I can unintentionally over eat. Meats, chicken, seafood, I eat about 2-4oz. size depending on what it is. The heavier and denser the foods, the less I can eat. Chewing your food very thoroughly is a help too. Water, broth, etc., I easily drink a full cup or more. Of course, everyone is different. As others have said, measure or weigh your foods until you are used to the proper portion sizes. I separate my meats and lean lunchmeats right away and freeze them. It makes for easier preparation and less waste too. If we under eat and don't eat enough protein and drink enough fluids, it can stall our weight loss. We have to be able to eat enough nutritious foods to maintain our muscle mass and keep us healthy too. For the first time in years I didn't get bronchitis/pneumonia in March. I only had a bad head/chest cold... but nothing like I usually suffer through. Losing some of the weight and eating and being healthier was surely a factor. Best wishes and good luck. Always post if you need help or support. Huggs, Ruth