I'm really struggling!!

Thanks for the analogy. I fully understand this is a tool. I guess that's one of reasons I'm a little shocked at myself with this Pre-Op diet.  I don't want to be back here with regain in two years.   I have called the therapist and will deal with this head on. 

Thank you for the analogy.  I've learned quite a lot from you in the last few months and I appreciate you taking the time to help me.

Elisa

Anything I can do to help going forward don't hesitate to ask. I Totally sympathized with you. I am an emotional eater. You really have to set your mind to this. You can do it. I did. It's not easy but if it were easy it wouldn't be worth it. 8 months ago I was 384lbs, couldn't walk to the mailbox without breathing hard. I was wearing a 5X shirt and 54 pant. Today I have lost over 150lbs. I ran over 3 miles last night. I am working out twice a day and I wear a 1x shirt and a 40 pant and they are loose. All because in the pre-op I set my mind to achieving my goal.

Congratulations and thanks again!

Hi I am Twana and I am an emotional eater.  They say the first step is admitting you have a problem  I can totally relate to you on that point.  I am 2 months out and have to say I am still an emotional eater, but I am much better at controlling myself.  Therapy is key for me and setting myself up for success and not failure.  I hate the smell food, and by hate I mean LOVE, when someone is cooking something yummy I swear I start to salivate.  I am not one of those lucky people who have no interest in food anymore.  But, I know I have a much bigger loftier goal and that is the weight loss.  Keep your eye on the prize.  I know the pre-op diet is tough, but it is helping you get to your goal!  Hang in there!  You can do it and we are all here to support you!       

Thank you!  I've learned a lot about myself and what to do so far on this journey.  I will not let my emotions over-rule my head and will keep my eye on the prize!

Thanks!

Elisa

The liquid pre-op diet wasn't required by my surgeon, thank God. (Instead I had to follow the post-op diet before surgery so I could get used to portion sizes, etc.) I can understand how difficult that is - it's not the natural way of eating at all. Way back in the early 90s I tried an all-liquid diet, ugh. You just have to do the best you can if that's what your surgeon prescribed. Keep your eye on the prize: eventual surgery, and improved health that will help you cope so much better with the stressors in your life.

BUT as others have said, you need to know that for most of us, it gets so much easier after surgery. I do not feel hunger, just an inner knowledge that my energy is low and I'd better put something in my sleeve. I don't have any trouble limiting my consumption due to good restriction and not really being that "into" food anymore. That just seemed to happen on its own after surgery. I never would have thought that was possible.

On the other hand, head hunger/eating issues will not go away without real inner work. I started therapy long before I had the surgery. I feel it really helped me prepare, and now it's keeping me focused. Therapy helped me address my food issues directly and my therapist helped me come up with alternative ways of thinking and coping with them. Now I go for a walk, do some gardening or artwork, or read an encouraging book when I'm dealing with head hunger. Also, turn off the TV. All those food adds can make you vulnerable to head hunger.

Hang in there. It's worth it. I promise.

It's very normal to feel this way.  You have a lot of responsibility on your shoulders and I would imagine that its easy to feel overwhelmed.  I admire you--four children is a lot of laundry, hugs, toys scattered about, dishes, laughter, crying and other needs.  Of course you're looking for the coping mechanism of food and miss the "chewing" process.

First, remember to love and take care of "you."  Do something nice just for you, even if its taking a warm bath after the kids are asleep and wearing a new, comfy pair of PJs at night.  It makes you feel human and unique.  Treat yourself gently.  You don't have to be perfect.  It's not all or nothing....it's ok to make mistakes, learn and move forward. 

Each day does get better.  Promise.  The protein shakes get better and your body begins to adjust as you adapt to change.  You got this.  You can do it.