You folks scare me...

mbminx
mbminx Posts: 21 Member
edited November 23 in Getting Started
Everyone here seems so gung-ho about everything. Weighing and measuring down to the last crumb of food, working out for hours - it's all too much!

Yes, I want to make changes. Yes, I want to lose weight. Yes, I (eventually) want to start exercising. But I don't want to lose my mind over it all!

I'm prone to obsession, and a few times have found myself on the edge of an eating disorder. I really have concerns that if I start weighing every single drop of everything, I am going to tip over into something really unhealthy. I'm happy to work with my measuring cups and spoons, but taking everything to the gram is just a bit much to me.

Is there any hope for me? I'm keeping the food diary, and I am measuring ingredients and portions. Some days succeeding better than others, but holding a decent average. I'm more interested in healthy balanced eating than in micromanaging down to the last calorie. Any improvement is a big change.

But seriously - is anyone here NOT viciously rigid, but still having success? I've just been lurking, but I don't see a lot of people who take a more relaxed view - there's a lot of pressure to be all in.

I know that community can be helpful when making huge lifestyle changes... I just can't decide if I should try to fit in here.

Any advice, suggestions, similar experiences?
Thank you.
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Replies

  • MichelleSilverleaf
    MichelleSilverleaf Posts: 2,027 Member
    The reason weighing is so pushed is because it's far more accurate for most things than measuring. Cups and grams can be vastly different with many solids, and when you get closer to your goal there's no room for error to keep losing. The plus side to that though is that some people can begin to get a good eye for portions, and the goal for long-term success is having a good idea of what you're eating and how much it costs. Prepping ahead can help a lot if you worry you may obsess too much. Weigh and portion planned meals ahead of time, then you don't have to worry about them later and you'll know exactly what you're eating. It can seem daunting, but when you start to get the hang of it it's not so bad, and some people find taking diet breaks every once in awhile helpful also. So there are many ways to go about it.

    Not everyone works out for hours, some do and the ones that stick to it are the ones that enjoy it. Exercise is good to preserve the muscle you have, following a lifting program somewhere down the line can help you shape your body if that's what you prefer to do.
  • lancenuovo
    lancenuovo Posts: 517 Member
    mbminx wrote: »
    Everyone here seems so gung-ho about everything. Weighing and measuring down to the last crumb of food, working out for hours - it's all too much!

    Yes, I want to make changes. Yes, I want to lose weight. Yes, I (eventually) want to start exercising. But I don't want to lose my mind over it all!

    I'm prone to obsession, and a few times have found myself on the edge of an eating disorder. I really have concerns that if I start weighing every single drop of everything, I am going to tip over into something really unhealthy. I'm happy to work with my measuring cups and spoons, but taking everything to the gram is just a bit much to me.

    Is there any hope for me? I'm keeping the food diary, and I am measuring ingredients and portions. Some days succeeding better than others, but holding a decent average. I'm more interested in healthy balanced eating than in micromanaging down to the last calorie. Any improvement is a big change.

    But seriously - is anyone here NOT viciously rigid, but still having success? I've just been lurking, but I don't see a lot of people who take a more relaxed view - there's a lot of pressure to be all in.

    I know that community can be helpful when making huge lifestyle changes... I just can't decide if I should try to fit in here.

    Any advice, suggestions, similar experiences?
    Thank you.

    oh my hell. me exactly....
  • GOT_Obsessed
    GOT_Obsessed Posts: 817 Member
    I don't log my food or exercise. But I am very aware of what foods are higher and lower calories. The awareness is all I need. (down 21 lbs so far)

    I just came here for the forums and friends. Best of luck to you.
  • Stephahoney86
    Stephahoney86 Posts: 2 Member
    Right now, for me personally my intent is to gain awareness around what I eat. I don't weigh my food or stress about if it's exactly right. I just know that if I am consistent with logging my food, then I'll know the "snack" I ate that thought was pretty healthy was actually close to 400 calories. Or I will resist mindlessly cramming food in my mouth because I don't want to log it. It's worked for me in the past. If I get down to a comfortable weight and want to get more technical about it, I will re-evaluate then.
  • Tacklewasher
    Tacklewasher Posts: 7,122 Member
    You could have a look at this thread

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10498878/looking-for-friends-who-dont-eat-clean-and-healthy

    I think you will find lots of people who can lose weight without being obsessive about it.
  • wizzybeth
    wizzybeth Posts: 3,578 Member
    Mike1804 wrote: »
    you mean I might be obsessive because I created a spreadsheet to graph my caloric input/output? :D

    I did too - not just that but it tracks my weight, measurements, and activity too - all on one sheet. lol
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,454 Member
    wizzybeth wrote: »
    Mike1804 wrote: »
    you mean I might be obsessive because I created a spreadsheet to graph my caloric input/output? :D

    I did too - not just that but it tracks my weight, measurements, and activity too - all on one sheet. lol

    +2

    Mine now has 14 columns, too many formulas, and really I should just start over...but five years of data!
  • JaydedMiss
    JaydedMiss Posts: 4,286 Member
    wizzybeth wrote: »
    Mike1804 wrote: »
    you mean I might be obsessive because I created a spreadsheet to graph my caloric input/output? :D

    I did too - not just that but it tracks my weight, measurements, and activity too - all on one sheet. lol

    +2

    Mine now has 14 columns, too many formulas, and really I should just start over...but five years of data!

    thats how i ended up with 3 :p
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,454 Member
    JaydedMiss wrote: »
    wizzybeth wrote: »
    Mike1804 wrote: »
    you mean I might be obsessive because I created a spreadsheet to graph my caloric input/output? :D

    I did too - not just that but it tracks my weight, measurements, and activity too - all on one sheet. lol

    +2

    Mine now has 14 columns, too many formulas, and really I should just start over...but five years of data!

    thats how i ended up with 3 :p

    I just let them all run together. . . and I don't even know why I bother, I totally know what I'm doing. It's just fun for me while I sip on my morning coffee.
  • wizzybeth
    wizzybeth Posts: 3,578 Member
    I am having fun with my spreadsheet. I like seeing EVERYTHING all there. Plus I set up a nice bright yellow group of cells "counting down" how many pounds I've lost so far and how close to my ultimate goal I am. I really like my spreadsheet, probably a little too much ha ha
  • MrsPinterest34
    MrsPinterest34 Posts: 342 Member
    I have to be honest, I currently only weigh approximately 80-85% of my food. When I started, I weighed everything. When I finally understood how CI/CO works, I eased up a bit and focused more on weighing calorie dense foods (creamy soups, rice, pasta, pork, cooking oils etc ) and just guesstimate or use measuring cups for low calorie foods (tomatoes, lettuce, veggies, some fruits ( low sugar content) etc) . I've been walking every single day as exercise for the past year. I'm creating a deficit with my walking. I feel like I have more control over my intake and also preventing any weight gain. I've learned new healthy behaviors based on CI/CO. For example if I'm going to eat out in the evening or party and drink, I'll exercise more in the day time to create a larger deficit to eat more. It's all about finding the right balance for you. If I'm not eating much for the day then I don't need to over exercise. I prefer to cook to monitor my ingredients and I enjoy finding creative ways to prepare low calorie yet delicious meals. I'm still mindful of my portions and fortunately for me my stomach has shrunk. I don't eat as much as I ate in the past ( related to stretch receptors in the stomach). I no longer have this fear of gaining weight and I can still enjoy a variety of meals without obsessing over every calorie. If I'm craving any food I'll eat it as long as I'm within my calorie limit. I dont have to overindulge. My goal for using MFP was to learn how to eat the foods I like and lose weight in a healthy way. I've achieved the goal. I started at 175lb I'm now 142lb. I'm also short and realize as I'm getting closer to my goal things will slow down. I've modified my expectations and given myself a longer realistic time frame to lose the rest.
  • LovinLife2021
    LovinLife2021 Posts: 1 Member
    I personally do not have time to weigh my food. I mainly use MFP as a food journal to help me decide what to eat for future meal planning. I watch what I eat (mostly plant based foods) where it doesn't matter how much I eat since veggies and fruit do not add up as much as meat, junk and processed foods. One good tip is eat from a smaller plate than a full dinner plate. You don't feel guilty for cleaning your plate and it tricks the mind. Diet is what helps me lose weight, the exercise is like the cherry on top to tone the body. Good Luck.
  • ladyhusker39
    ladyhusker39 Posts: 1,406 Member
    But if you look closer, that stuff tends to come up in response to someone posting the equivalent of " Why am I not losing weight"?

    People respond by recommending they tighten up their logging as that's almost always where the problems lies (either food in, exercise or a combo of both).

    Responses come back "I log everything", but if you look at their diary it's almost always filled with inaccuracies. It's the logical and most helpful place to start.

    And like someone else said, this is a calorie counting website after all.
  • hoppgeorge
    hoppgeorge Posts: 368 Member
    to answer your big question, I am one of those who are not completely rigid. I track my food as best as i can as well as my exercise. some days i do better than others. i have managed to lose almost 90lbs this way. do your best :)
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