Admitting I need help...

I don't know how often I have commented on people's posts, encouraging them to seek out help from a therapist to get their heads in the right place. I've even commented many times about how I've thought about doing that. And yet I haven't. And here I am at 9 months out and starting to get scared to death about gaining everything back when the honeymoon phase is over. Because I STRUGGLE so much at night with my eating. I can blow a perfectly good day in just a few hours. I told my dietician today (I've been have more frequent checkins with her, at my request, in hopes of staying on track with better accountability)...anywho, I told her today that I am basically binge eating in the evenings. Not like before, b/c I can't eat it all in one sitting w/o getting sick...but have found if I space a little time in between, I can have something more. She referred to it as "modified binge eating". It is so hard for me to admit this here - or to anyone for that matter - because I want to be like so many of the success stories I've read, where people had surgery, it magically changed their mindset, and they lived happily ever skinny after. Yes, I know that's not what happened to ANYONE, but sometimes I feel like that's how it was for so many and I'm the only one who can't get my head in the game. Sigh. Anyway, at my dietician appt today, I asked her for a referral to a therapist. I couldn't even look her in the eye when I said it - it was so hard to admit. Don't get me wrong - I see NO shame in seeking professional help - but yet it was so hard to admit that, even after surgery I couldn't figure this out.

I should be getting a call on Wednesday or Thursday to set up some appts with the therapist. I was happy to hear that I was being referred to a therapist I had briefly worked with before when I attended a group therapy binge eating group about 5 years ago. This makes me more comfortable, since I know I "click" with the therapist and will feel comfortable talking with her.

So for all those others out there who are struggling - don't put it off - seek help. WE can be the success stories too!!!

Amy

Amy, I'm really glad you are taking your own advice and taking care of business. BEST luck with this and just because there is bad hour where you've had double your meal doesn't mean you can't consciously say ok, that was bad but I can be good for the rest of the night. Instead of throwing the towel in because you've already had so much, why not more. Stop it faster than your bedtime reset. Get some Water, sip on that like your life depends on it. Distractions are helping me right now, I physically remove myself from where I am sitting/standing thinking of food, go through a door way, symbolizing an exit from that thought process,  enter a new phase and rethink, plan, walk around even if back and forth by the laundry. Windows and doors help our mind visually exit or enter our thought processes. 

I am so glad to hear you are getting help Amy. There is no reason for you to struggle with this alone. Keep us pospostposted aand just take it one choice at a time.

Good for you for seeking some help.

I am glad you recognize that surgery did NOT magically fix the emotional/psychological/behavioral issues for others.  Many of us utilized counseling of some kind. Hopefully, someone who is still early out and perhaps struggling a bit (but who has been reluctant to listen to us "old folks" about the need to address the "head issues") will see this post and seek out help as well.  

I hope your counselor is able to help you gain some insight into the binge eating and get it under control.

Lora

Amy, I'm giving you a virtual hug for your bravery . It's awesome that you're going to be able to reconnect with a therapist who's helped you before. Wishing you lots of luck in your journey!! 

Very brave of you to post this and to also seek help-many folks dont!   

Yay Amy,I'm so glad you realised what you needed to do and did it- I tell everyone on here they need a therapist because I honestly believe that- we didn't get fat cause we were super happy with perfect lives, it's hard and sometimes confronting but defiantly rewarding- I love my therapist , she's saved me in so may ways!!

Congratulations on your weightloss success!  You have done very well.  I too could do better with what I am eating even though I have been successful, I don't want to gain back my weight either.  Kudos for your post.