Question:
Help! I can't stop eating!
I will be one year post op in March. I have only lost 104lbs. Unfortunately, the last 3 weeks, I have probably gained 2 or 3... can't seem to stop eating junk! It seems I can never get full! How can I get jump started again? I drink plenty of water, but I am so busy, I don't have time to exercise like I should right now. I KNOW I eat wrong. I am one of those people who can eat ANYTHING! Nothing bothers me. Unfortunately, I am slipping back into some very bad old habits. I wake up everyday and say that "today I am going to stay on track", but by 2:00, I have started the grazing on carbs. HELP .... PLEASE! — Kay W. (posted on February 11, 2003)
February 11, 2003
Try to cut out the carbs altogether for several days and stick with
protein. Detox yourself from the carbs! They're the ones making you
crazy. Protein shakes can also be good to help you "detox" from
the carbs, too. Or, just say to yourself, I can have some carbs, but not
until 8PM. Or 6PM, or however long you can hold out. But flat-out
detoxing from them is better, if you can do it. Try protein snacks
instead: nuts, beef jerky, tuna, cheeses -- so many to choose from!,
pepperoni (nuke it & make pepperoni chips!), ham, shrimp, salmon
(woo-hoo), and ... ANY other kinda protein food you can stand (or
preferraby like). Those carbs get us all!!
— Suzy C.
February 11, 2003
You seem to know the problem - carbs. To my mind, they're as addictive as
heroin. And of course we all love them. But the previous answer is right:
you have to detox, get them out of your system. Having said that, it's
hard to do, at least the first day. Then it's easier. Don't go hungry -
eat something, just make sure it's protein. It really does work. Try and
stay away from white carbs, at least (potatoes, rice, bread, pasta) and
while you'll always love them, you'll stop craving them. Carbs create a
hole that can never be filled up. If you're craving sweets, and a sweet
protein drink doesn't do it for you, try sugar-free jello and Cool-Whip.
Good luck!
— scottiemaam O.
February 11, 2003
I completely understand what you're going through! As the months go by, we
can eat more and our appetite comes back! I've been snacking, too. Don't
beat yourself up, snacks are ok sometimes, so don't deprive yourself. But I
have noticed, I've been craving carbs, too. I find that when I eat pure
protein in the morning, I won't be as hungry throughout the day as opposed
to eating protein and carbs. Maybe you can try that? Also for a snack, I
make orange juice slushes. I use 4oz of OJ mixed with maybe a tiny bit of
water and freeze it in a bowl for like an hour. I know juices have sugar
and carbs, but i never drink more than 4oz a day, and it's a way to get
some fruit in. Snacking on some peanuts or cheese is good as well. if you
find you cannot realistically cut out carbs, instead of just eating chips
or crackers, try melting cheese on 2 crackers. That way the snack has
protein, but a lil carbs. Goodluck to you, i know it's hard!
— Lezlie Y.
February 11, 2003
Kay, the other posters are right, and until you get a handle on the carbs,
you will probably gain even more. Sorry to tell you that, but this pouch
we have been given is just a tool and after the initial weight loss (which
just seems to fall out), then the work begins and we have to work the tool
to continue the loss and to sustain what we have lost. If you fall back
into old habits, grazing on the wrong foods, you can and will outeat the
pouch. FACT. You say that you are busy, but obviously not too busy as you
are finding a way to eat badly. Try eliminating the junk food from the
house and the office-stock your office drawer, and your house with good for
you protein snacks. And eat everytime you are hungry (the key word here is
HUNGRY-not when you just feel like eating, but hungry). As for exercise,
you dont have to go to a gym to get in exercise. Do you have stairs at
work or at home? Park very far from the office/store and walk a longer
distance at a fast pace-take the stairs at work/home and go back down and
up a few more times. You have to find the time. Even if your tired, adopt
this phrase "JUST DO IT" -no excuses, even if its 5 am or 8 pm,
JUST DO IT. Go buy a treadmill and put it in front of the tv (this is what
I do). I jump on there during my fav tv show or the news and before you
know it a 1/2 hour has gone by. Add some stomach crunches and you have a
good work out going. Your not going to turn this around until you make up
your mind to do it. Good luck.
— Cindy R.
February 11, 2003
Kay, you can't eat what you don't buy. Try to win your battle at the
grocery store. If you have a family, it won't hurt them to have more
protein snacks and fewer carb snaks around while you get your craving under
control. Only shop after you have loaded up on protein and aren't hungry.
If you eat while at work, plan your lunches and shacks ahead of time so you
never have to go for fast food or a vending machine. If you plan ahead,
you won't have to be so strong in the moment. I know that's a big deal for
me.
— Amber L.
February 11, 2003
I know all too well how you feel! I found a few tricks that have worked
VERY well for me. Check out my profile and read my last journal entry.
— pam29922
February 11, 2003
You are not alone.
— jen41766
Click Here to Return