Becoming too much of a perfectionist

cthakkar1985

Hi all,

I'm definitely in the MFP zone. Down about 15 lbs in the past several weeks. I feel like I'm getting a bit too obsessive over my calorie count/workout plan. Example - I weight out 8.2 oz of orange juice and pour back 0.2 because I went over. Example #2 - my gym is closing and I haven't worked out yet so I go to another gym (very far away) and get a guest pass. Am I going a little overboard or is this what it takes to hit your goals and get in great shape? Is this level of obsession healthy?

ledzeppelinfan1

It doesn't have to be perfect, just consistent. If you wanna freak over the most minute details, that's up to you. But having 8.2 vs. 8.0 ounces of orange juice is going to have absolutely zero effect on anything.

jennifer_417

It really depends on how much distress the behavior is causing you, or how much it is interfering I'm your daily life. If you aren't bothered by it, or aren't trying to stop without being able to, then you're probably ok.

melonaulait

You don't wanna get burnt out, so do consider relaxing a little bit in the long run. Do calorie counting, but don't obsess over the most minute details.

AnvilHead

Worthwhile read: http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/how-detail-oriented-do-you-need-to-be.html/

azulvioleta6

That sounds more like dedication than obsession...

I guess the question to ask yourself is whether or not this is getting in the way of other things in your life. If it isn't causing problems or injuries...why not?

Fursian

cthakkar1985 wrote: »

Hi all,

I'm definitely in the MFP zone. Down about 15 lbs in the past several weeks. I feel like I'm getting a bit too obsessive over my calorie count/workout plan. Example - I weight out 8.2 oz of orange juice and pour back 0.2 because I went over. Example #2 - my gym is closing and I haven't worked out yet so I go to another gym (very far away) and get a guest pass. Am I going a little overboard or is this what it takes to hit your goals and get in great shape? Is this level of obsession healthy?

This just sounds like you're weighing and logging as accurately as you can. I don't see a problem with this.

And the gym thing? You're actively taking the steps to get healthy, and by the sounds of things, you're prepared to do what it takes to achieve those results.

We're making an investment in our health here, which IS serious business, and deserves a little perfectionism, obsession and dedication, or whatever you wish to call awareness.

Great job on the 15lbs lost!

WalkingAlong

cthakkar1985 wrote: »

Hi all,

I'm definitely in the MFP zone. Down about 15 lbs in the past several weeks. I feel like I'm getting a bit too obsessive over my calorie count/workout plan. Example - I weight out 8.2 oz of orange juice and pour back 0.2 because I went over. Example #2 - my gym is closing and I haven't worked out yet so I go to another gym (very far away) and get a guest pass. Am I going a little overboard or is this what it takes to hit your goals and get in great shape? Is this level of obsession healthy?

It doesn't take that level of precision to hit your goals. .2oz. of OJ is around 3 calories. If it makes you feel in control or more accurate to drink exactly 8 oz. that's ok but you don't have to go that far to have success. A lot of people will burn out quicker while aiming for that level of precision. And a skipped workout is ok, too.

Good luck!

JayRuby84

I kind of don't see a problem with what you're doing (so far). I also don't know if you have obsessive tendencies in general, and maybe you know yourself better than anyone else and know that this might be a slippery slope for you. 15 pounds in the last several weeks is a lot to lose. Just keep watch over yourself and modify things if it's getting weird.

toe1226

If it affects your ability to socialize and interact with others positively, its a problem. Also, if it feels like a problem to you, then it's a problem, thats between you and your heart, not us.

I have had friends reassure me during times I was feeling obsessive or compulsive, they'd say "yeah, but you are being so healthy! you eat so healthfully and you always exercise" - but it didn't FEEL healthy, it felt like a mental weight, so it didn't matter what it looked like on paper- it was causing me stress, and stress causes inflammation, and inflammation causes death.