When is it time to stop?

Fayeworth

I have been calorie counting on this site for over 3 years now and have lost 3 stone. I had a 6 month break when I put half back on but now I’m at my lowest weight ever although still don't feel happy and feel like I never will be. The question I have is when is it time to stop? I’m on this app on my iPhone most of the evening and my partner gets so frustrated with me. I’m constantly counting calories and even enter meals for several weeks ahead. I won’t have a cup of tea if it puts me over my limit and if I do, I then feel guilty. I have a two week holiday coming up very shortly and I’m 3 pounds from goal (ultimate goal is another 7 pounds but doubt I’ll get there). I’m going to Italy and I know I’m likely to gain 5ish pounds of fat when I’m there because let’s face it, who can resist pizza and wine but the thought of that weight gain is really playing on my mind. I’ve worked so very hard to get to the weight I am now and because I’m not at goal I feel worse about this trip than I would have done if I’d have been at goal. I know it’s only 3 pounds and probably wouldn’t make all that much difference but mentally it feels like a lot.

I eat 1500 calories a day to lose 0.5lb a week and eat 50% of exercise calories back (I’m 5ft 8). A lot of time I still feel hungry, even on exercise days. I’m wondering whether it’s time to move to maintenance even though I’m not at goal. I just wondered what your thoughts were on when “enough is enough”? Do our bodies have a weight that it's naturally happy at?

DeguelloTex

Sounds like you might want to try maintenance and see if that's more feasible than trying to get to the goal.

PeachyPlum

What you're describing is kind of worrisome to me. Logging meals weeks in advance sounds obsessive.

7 pounds is really close to goal. Have you thought about switching to maintenance and doing a recomp? You wouldn't see a drop in scale weight, but your measurements would go down slowly over time.

Fayeworth

PeachyPlum wrote: »

What you're describing is kind of worrisome to me. Logging meals weeks in advance sounds obsessive.

7 pounds is really close to goal. Have you thought about switching to maintenance and doing a recomp? You wouldn't see a drop in scale weight, but your measurements would go down slowly over time.

I only log so far in advance because I do a fortnightly shop and tend to know what my meals will be.

What is a recomp?

DeguelloTex

Typically, lifting weights at maintenance calories to very, very slowly build muscle and reduce fat.

galgenstrick

Fayeworth wrote: »

PeachyPlum wrote: »

What you're describing is kind of worrisome to me. Logging meals weeks in advance sounds obsessive.

7 pounds is really close to goal. Have you thought about switching to maintenance and doing a recomp? You wouldn't see a drop in scale weight, but your measurements would go down slowly over time.

I only log so far in advance because I do a fortnightly shop and tend to know what my meals will be.

What is a recomp?

Eat at maintenance, do resistance training. Try to build some muscle while losing fat at the same time. Works for some, but it's very slow.

SezxyStef

PeachyPlum wrote: »

What you're describing is kind of worrisome to me. Logging meals weeks in advance sounds obsessive.

7 pounds is really close to goal. Have you thought about switching to maintenance and doing a recomp? You wouldn't see a drop in scale weight, but your measurements would go down slowly over time.

I agree with this...

recomp is when you are eating at maintenance or close to it, doing some form of progressive load lifting program to help burn fat and build muscle at the same time.

You mention you don't like how you look...what about yourself do you not like? Scale weight isn't the end all to be all...if you feel you are "soft" and want a firmer look check her out.

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

Need2Exerc1se

DeguelloTex wrote: »

Sounds like you might want to try maintenance and see if that's more feasible than trying to get to the goal.

Yeah, I agree with this. It sounds like you are getting too obsessed. Take a step back. Enjoy the progress you've made. Later, if you decide you want to lose a little more, then you know how to do it. Now that you have the tools and knowledge, you can do it whenever you want.

Have fun in Italy!

Sued0nim

Fayeworth wrote: »

I have been calorie counting on this site for over 3 years now and have lost 3 stone. I had a 6 month break when I put half back on but now I’m at my lowest weight ever although still don't feel happy and feel like I never will be. The question I have is when is it time to stop? I’m on this app on my iPhone most of the evening and my partner gets so frustrated with me. I’m constantly counting calories and even enter meals for several weeks ahead. I won’t have a cup of tea if it puts me over my limit and if I do, I then feel guilty. I have a two week holiday coming up very shortly and I’m 3 pounds from goal (ultimate goal is another 7 pounds but doubt I’ll get there). I’m going to Italy and I know I’m likely to gain 5ish pounds of fat when I’m there because let’s face it, who can resist pizza and wine but the thought of that weight gain is really playing on my mind. I’ve worked so very hard to get to the weight I am now and because I’m not at goal I feel worse about this trip than I would have done if I’d have been at goal. I know it’s only 3 pounds and probably wouldn’t make all that much difference but mentally it feels like a lot.

I eat 1500 calories a day to lose 0.5lb a week and eat 50% of exercise calories back (I’m 5ft 8). A lot of time I still feel hungry, even on exercise days. I’m wondering whether it’s time to move to maintenance even though I’m not at goal. I just wondered what your thoughts were on when “enough is enough”? Do our bodies have a weight that it's naturally happy at?

I think you should stop because this doesn't sound all that healthy

I agree with the suggestion that you should go for maintenance and possibly a recomposition

This OP is worth a read http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10177803/recomposition-maintaining-weight-while-losing-fat/p1