Starting to gain an unhealthy view of food.

PixelPuff

I can recognize that it is unhealthy how I am beginning to view food when dieting, but what I cannot do is stop the guilt for eating.

What I ate yesterday [past midnight now]?

A 23cal corn crisp, a small salad w/ 17 cal worth of ginger dressing, medium fries, small banana shake, 4 small hot wings w/ bone [cheat day on meat].

That is it for the entire day. And it is only that because I had to force myself to eat something past the salad. I went out with my roommate to get food because I had so many calories left. But I'm still guilty as all *kitten* for eating what I did eat.

How can I try to stop myself from getting worse with this?

[I know I also need to seek help, but I work extremely long hours of work, and also a full time student.. Time is rough]

livingleanlivingclean

Why do you feel guilty about what you ate? That's not an excessive amount of food, not likely over your calories (I assume)...

Your body needs fuel to function. Not giving it fuel isn't going to help you lose weight quicker, or keep you healthy.

rsdalke

It's important that you've recognized that these are unhealthy thoughts and admitting that this could lead to very unhealthy behaviours. That's really great, and kudos to you for self awareness and honesty!

Eating should not equate to guilt. Silence that nagging voice inside your head, because hunger is a natural and normal feeling. Allow yourself to enjoy food because your engine requires fuel to run. You can try using a journal and writing down any negative thoughts that drift through your mind when it comes to food. Sometimes writing things down allows you to sort those thoughts and process them so that you can reframe them in a positive way.

Remember that it is normal to eat different amounts on different days, and sometimes you're going to indulge and that's perfectly ok. Don't force yourself to eat, but do eat when you feel hunger. It's all about finding your balance.

Modern_athena

Think of it this way, if you eat way lower than your daily caloric intake, you might slow your metabolism hence hinder your weight loss on the long run. Eat as long as it's below your caloric intake and enjoy it!

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld

You need to see food as fuel for your body. You can't expect it to run on fresh air. Eat up to your calories or you will look and feel like *kitten*!

amusedmonkey

It's understandable for some who come from a dieting mentality to feel guilty if they eat any of the "no" foods. The way to combat it is probably to lay off the idea of a cheat day and start slow. If you feel like you are cheating (it's in the name!) or doing something you aren't supposed to be doing it may encourage negative feelings like the ones you have. Introduce something you deem to be "non-diet" in a small quantity every day, like a a couple of cookies or a few M&M's. Keep adding "no" foods every week until you are at a comfortable balance between healthy and less nutrient-dense food (don't sacrifice nutrient-dense foods in the process). There will be a point when the novelty wears off and such foods start to carry a more neutral feeling than the special sinful nature they used to have. When you are at that point you will notice you are automatically eating less of them but when the desire strikes, not thinking much of it.

MamaBirdBoss

More quantity and less calorie density will make you feel that feeling full is healthy.

IF YOU EAT TOO LITTLE, your body will not only develop deficiencies, but you'll cannibalize your own muscle. There is a maximum rate at which fat can be metabolized. Beyond that, you're stealing from your muscles.

Liftng4Lis

Maybe you need a diet break.

zoeysasha37

Your body needs proper fuel and the diet you described isn't proper fuel. Look at it like your actually doing a disservice to your body by under eating that drastically. You want a strong body right ?? So you must fuel it better.
If you cant seem to shake this feeling after a little while, then maybe think about a mfp break or speaking to a doctor

Kalikel

Therapy. You have your emotions wrapped up in food, so it might be time to work on that.

People who strive to be their healthiest all have times when they eat something they shouldn't. Nobody is proud of that. But being ashamed of yourself is a whole different thing. You shouldn't feel like that. That's no fun.

Try some therapy, see how it goes.

And get yourself in to see a dietitian. It'll be a big help, I bet.

boogiewookie

I was anorexic/bulemic years ago and now that I'm trying to lose weight I have to focus daily on keeping a healthy relationship with food. what's really been working for me is not counting calories. yes, I know I will get chewed out by every healthy person reading this but it will stop you from eating the wrong foods because you have "calories left." If you are eating clean and frequently and working out, you WILL lose weight. look at food as a tool to boost your metabolism :-)

boogiewookie

on a side note I know that guilty feeling...it sucks. I had a piece of pizza Saturday and still haven't forgiven myself. just try every day to do better than you did the day before :-)

PixelPuff

I did take some advice in the thread and let myself 'go crazy' a little this weekend. I'm vegetarian by diet, not morals, so I took a break on that. Meat this weekend including sampling the BBQ at a work-sponsored lunch on Friday, 4 wings on Saturday [was so stuffed already... Damn banana milkshake], and two pieces of small BBQ ribs on Father's Day that my Mama cooked up. It did feel really nice to let loose, and I've actually lost some weight again. As of today, .2lbs off of the obese/overweight line. 169.2lbs! So close!

boogiewookie wrote: »

I was anorexic/bulemic years ago and now that I'm trying to lose weight I have to focus daily on keeping a healthy relationship with food. what's really been working for me is not counting calories. yes, I know I will get chewed out by every healthy person reading this but it will stop you from eating the wrong foods because you have "calories left." If you are eating clean and frequently and working out, you WILL lose weight. look at food as a tool to boost your metabolism :-)

I've found that if I don't count calories yet continue to eat 'clean', I'm still eating less than 800 calories/day. Including today... And I just cooked, and haven't eaten the last item that might bring me to the 800. Definitely a dessert day.