Stop Counting?

kaylatee0

Has anyone seen success by stopping their counting? I apologize as this is a rant mixed with some questions.

I’ve been logging faithfully since September and have lost 25 pounds, as I near the end of 4 months of counting I’m starting to realize that I’m not as happy at this weight as I had thought I would be 4 months ago. I’m the slimmest I’ve ever been, fitting into a size 2.. it’s all I ever wanted!

I’m basically at my goal weight (I’m around 119 atm.. goal is 115). I plan on losing a few more to get under my goal weight so that I can eat some pounds back on my cruise in Jan.

I’m trying to identify some of the reasons why I’m feeling so unfulfilled, and I feel like all I have done is shift what I’m obsessed about. I went from obsessing over eating a lot, to obsessing over eating as little as possible.. either way I’m consumed by food, but just for different reasons.

I have an obsessive/competitive personality to begin with, always have.. nothing serious or clinical by any means. I started MFP by counting what I was eating as I was eating it.. then I started planning the day when I got up.. now I’m planning days and days in advance to try and keep myself “on track” and get as much as a deficit as possible.

Today I look back and realize there haven’t been many times I’ve stepped off of the scale after a loss and been happy. It’s always “okay lost a pound, darn.. wish it was 2” or “great, lost a pound and I’ll bet you I’ll gain after the dinner we have planned on Saturday and waste all my hard work”.. I still look in the mirror and see pudge, a big belly, fat thighs etc.

Today I stepped on the scale anticipating a loss, and gained 1.2 lbs. I had a bad binge on Saturday (I don’t binge often, at all), and a Chinese buffet lunch earlier in the week yet still expected a loss because I went hard on cardio and restricted my calories in hopes of compensating.

After seeing the scale go up, I’m starting to wonder if counting calories is right for me.. it doesn’t seem to be worth this endless cycle of reward and punish with myself. The binge I had on Saturday was new, I don’t usually do that.. which scares me a bit.

I’m wondering if anyone has been in a similar place, and has found that stopping counting has helped calm their mind. Do I worry that I will gain? Yes, however I feel like I know how to be fair with my portions.. and sometimes wonder if I would eat less on those binge days because I’m not staring at a number like 2500 consumed and think “what’s an extra 500”. Maybe if I crave something not good, I’ll be able to just eat it and move on? The thought of not counting gives me anxiety, I feel like I need to break up with it!

Just looking for some thoughts and opinions!

uconnwinsnc

I lost the majority of my weight by not counting calories. On a similar note, if you feel that counting calories is taking a toll on your mind, then take a break from it. As long as you stay conscious about what you are eating, you probably won't gain weight back. I find the only way I will gain weight is if I slip into mindless eating and snacking habits.

Do what you're comfortable with.