How easy it is to fall into old behavior

I just ate my lunch while I was working (i.e. not really paying attention to what I was doing). I did everything wrong. I ate too fast,I didn't chew, I wasn't paying attention and ate WAY too much. No WAY in this case means 1 or 2 bites too many. But I am in pain. I am afraid I am stretching right now.

Yes my food was measured but I am not consistent on how much I can eat. Depending on the protein and what ever else I am eating with it sometimes I can only eat 3 oz and some times it is 4 with room to spare. My restriction seems to change from day to day. I just wasn't paying attention this time and went past where I normally would have known to stop.

I have been so good these last couple of weeks with not over eating and chewing and focussing. What a set back.

What will you do differently next time? 

You are right, it is really easy to fall right back into old habits, that said, what is your strategy to keep this from happening to you?

I love it when we come up with our own strategies and solutions.  We learn just as much from our failings as from our successes, some very smart people would even say that we learn more from the mistakes that we make.  What did you learn, or remember about yourself?  How will this change your thought process and behavior.  What habits would make this less likely to happen again?

You don't really have to answer me here, but you might seriously consider answering these questions to yourself.

I just learned that I really really hate to vomit and I will pay attention when I eat from now on. No more mindless eating. This only the 2nd time I have vomitted since my surgery and it really freaks me out because all I can see in my head is my staple line exploding into my chest cavity or my pylorus coming up through my throat and out my mouth (yes I know that not really a possibilty but that's what goes through my messed up mind).

Hey Keith,

as I read over and over on the OH board, this happens to the best of us. Not me yet cause I am not there yet but I am sure it will eventually.

Don't beat yourself up over it. Learn from your mistakes and move on. You are always such a inspiration for me when I read your feedback and input so I know that you know how to stick to everything you learned.

Good luck,

Hugs,

Rita

I know it's hard but just try to take it slower next time.  I need to practice what I preach because I have never been able to slow the frig down after surgery.  I still eat fast but most of the time I do stop when I feel like I'm already comfy.  I have yet to get sick or get the foamies.  I heard it's a yucky feeling.  Let's try to not let that happen to us!

I probably haven't slowed down to where I need to but since I have been back to work I have been very deliberate my lunch time. Something like Take a bite, put fork down, chew while you read the news, etc. But today I was working through lunch and it was total autopilot. Troubleshooting a problem, mind somewhere else, scarf, scarf, scarf.

I mean this is how good I was being today. I brought donuts for my team because we had to be here early and I didn't even get a small urge or yearn for one. Even watching them eating them.

I'm 6 months out and I still sometimes forget and start eating something too quickly...I don't vomit, but I get that "stuck" feeling that is soooo miserable.  And then I remember for a few days or a few weeks until I need another "gentle" (ouch) reminder.  It's all part of developing new habits.  Several steps forward, one step back.  Still moving in the right direction overall!