Calorie Counting Becoming Obsessive

anachronicles

I found that soon after I started logging my calories in my food diary I became quite obsessive. I was really focused on hitting the numeric goals of my calories and macros that I would meticulously measure out my portions so I could accurately log them. I did this to the point where I wouldn't eat certain foods/meals if I didn't have a way to correctly measure the portion size or if I didn't know all the ingredients inside.

To me this felt reminiscent of an eating disorder. I have since stopped logging, but I still find myself obsessing over portion size (especially since I have memorized so much of the nutritional info for the foods I eat regularly).

Does anyone else have an issue with this, or have any tips?

bcattoes

Yeah, I'm a number cruncher by profession so I became a little obsessive with logging. Eating when I wasn't hungry because MFP said I'd eaten too little. Going hungry because it said I'd eaten too much. Eating foods I didn't particularly want because some macro was a off.

And the worst part was I stopped losing weight with logging and even gained a few back, even though I felt like I was eating less. It took a while after I stopped logging to get back to normal eating and finally lose those few pounds I'd gained. Mentally, I was still counting.

I have no doubt that logging is a valuable tool for many people trying to control weight. But not for everyone. Not for me.

martyqueen52

Relax with it....

Overeating 300 calories won't make you fat instantly.... it will take WEEKS of massive overeating to gain weight. And if you workout it will just turn to muscle anyhow, especially if it's just a small amount over (lean bulking)


When I go on vacation and to N.Y. at Christmas I ENJOY myself. I eat tons of cheesecake in NY and stop at every pastry shop, candy store, etc. But, I make sure to get my protein in and I walk all day long shopping with my wife. Enjoy life and don't be so consumed with numbers.

VeganEquestrian

I'm sorry you have this problem, because it sucks! I can't stop obsessing to. And if I don't log, I'm scared to eat because I don't know how much I've had that day.
Maybe you should talk to someone...?