Distracting yourself from food urges

I have been struggling bad. Since I was 6 -8 months out I have not lost any more weight. I have accepted it was my fault. My pouch has not failed me. I failed my pouch. I found a way to eat around what I am and am not suppose to eat. Anyways I have gotten back on track. I have the urges to eat sugary things but I have been fighting them. What do you guys do to fight the urges? I know that the urge is totally different from actual hunger. There are other things I need to deal with emotionally but I was wanting to know how all of you guys deal with your urges to eat?

I find other things to do. Examples: exercise,drink some water,do puzzles,knit,sew or read a book to name a few. Anything to keep my hands and my mind busy. 

Planning meals helps me... swear by it. I know a day before what the next day's eating holds... if something is added I know I'm off plan and adjustments have to be made.

It has a few other benefits too: http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2012/08/weigh t-loss-surgery-is-do-better.html

Some days stuff calls to me (some days I have to force myself to eat - LOL I need more of these days and less bottomless pouch ones) but you know get busy (pick something off this list) and don't feed the beast.

Good for you recognizing there was a personal responsibility component to your health and you need to make some changes... stay here and get support... shoot when the "stuff" in your life is making you want to reach for whatever, post here. OHers will talk you down. It helps. Sending you good vibes... work on that stuff going on, with professional help if need be. 

~Michelle "Shelly"

Find something really interesting to do that you cannot do and eat at the same time.  For instance, I like to crochet while watching movies.  I need both hands to crochet.  It is impossible to eat and crochet at the same time.  I realize not everyone would find crocheting really interesting, but find something that keeps your hands busy.

Go somewhere that food is not easily available.  I know that's not always doable either, but sometimes it is.  Take a long walk in the woods where you can't easily get to food.  Go see a museum or something where you can't take food inside.

Try something like riding a bike, taking a zumba class, going swimming, etc.  You can't eat while you do those things.  If you like to read, go to the library and read there - they usually don't allow food.  Go see a movie and only take enough money for your ticket, not enough for popcorn (unless the smell of the popcorn will drive you nuts, then don't do that).

Try  journaling about it.  Write about how you want to eat and write about how you're feeling and what other things might fulfill that urge better.  Like, i want to eat, especially carbs, when I am lonely.  Obviously a bagel is not a very good substitute for a friend.  But that's what I want when I'm lonely.  But dealing with the loneliness is going to help me more in the long run than eating a bagel will.

Physical Hunger:  Comes on gradually and can be postponed.

Emotional Hunger: Comes on suddenly and feels urgent.

 

Physical Hunger:  Can be satisfied with any type of food.

Emotional Hunger: Causes specific food cravings (pizza, chocolate, ice cream, etc...)

 

Physical Hunger:  Once you are full you can stop eating.

Emotional Hunger: Eat more than you normally would. Feel uncomfortably full.

 

Physical Hunger:  Causes satisfaction, doesn’t cause guilt.

Emotional Hunger: Leaves you feeling guilty and cross with yourself.

Carbs are the devil.  I need to be distracted from carbs because they make me so hungry!!

Chew gum.

Everything the previous posters said too -- keeping your hands busy. I tried to take up knitting for that reason, but I sucked at it. I played a video game with my husband for a while - that was helpful.