Recognizing this hunger and the cause is enlightening. I don't have an alternative activity. Sleep would be good. Being at home would be good. Neither are options right now. I haven't had this eating response since I came off of OPTIFAST and it's definitely thrown me for a bit of a loop. What kind of alternative activities can I practice when I want to eat because of physical pain?
Along with the bad back comes another stress - I can't work out. Not with this back. In fact, I think the back pain is a cumulative result of a week's worth of jarring my body by doing low-impact aerobics on a cement floor.
The good news - the cushioned floor mats have been ordered. I am hoping they'll be here sometime next week. In the meantime, I get to reduce my eating to accommodate reduced activity and soon as I'm able I will re-start my strength training and walk in the neighborhood (weather permitting).
Oh, I am so sorry about your back. Damn that urge to eat! I know it well! I often eat when I feel sorry for myself. Pain definitely hits that button. Maybe you need just a good cry. . . it's hard to know what to do at work--aspirin/ibuprofen? Heating pad? Warm drinks that you can cradle your hands around? A lunch time massage? Hang in there and don't forget the winner you are!
ReplyDeleteHi Maura, ugh!! That darn back pain. I am sorry you are having to deal with it at this point when you were already challenged with food/eating issues. Double trouble! I'm not sure if this would help your back pain, but when I have to work and my lower back pain is really bad, I do two things: rub peppermint oil on my lower back, which also act as aromatherapy and takes away some cravings, or use the heating pads that stick to your back. Both of these help me and I especially like the peppermint oil. Hope things get better soon!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the well-wishes. The back is a little bit better this morning. I did over-eat (big time - almost a binge) last night. But I faced the music this morning and I'm recommitting to logging my food and asking the DGH questions. And resting my back one more day.
ReplyDeleteHi Maura - Ugh is right! Back pain is no fun. It sounds as if this old nemesis visits from time to time. It will get worse as you get older as I can attest (if you do nothing about it). I am now, however, pain free. The Feldenkrais Method/ The Anat Baniel Method has been my savior. Teaches you how to learn to move more effectively - gives your brain access to better movement patterns. You begin to feel like a kid again. And this is coming from someone who had a bi-lateral herniation of L5/ S1, and degenerative disc disease in the 3 discs above that area.
ReplyDeleteBest advice, find an Anat Baniel/ Feldenkrais Method practitioner in your area and go see them. I found it to be so effective, I underwent the training (4 years & over 1000 hours) and now do it for a living. I work with healthcare organizations who employ large numbers of nurses because their incidence of chronic back pain is the HIGHEST of ANY industry - more than truck drivers!
Best of luck to you! - Chad