I think I have a problem...

molson55

So I've been losing fairly consistently for the past couple months. I started off trying to lose 1lb a week but then when I went away to school made it 1/2lb to make it a little easier on myself. Things were working great!! But I hardly ever eat more than 1300 calories when my goal is 1590 just because I'm too scared to increase my intake. Today I did eat about 1500 and feel so guilty. Basically, am I becoming too obsessed?? Will the move from 1300 a day to almost 1600 make me gain weight instead of continuing to help me lose?? (I'm a 5ft 4 female, 19...I weigh ALL my foods. Though lately I've been eating a lot of carbs because...college.)

onefortyone

If you're 'scared' to eat your calorie goal and feel 'guilty' when you do, then yes it sounds like it has gone beyond a healthy concern for weight loss.

Moving from 1300 to 1600, if you track accurately, won't make you gain fat, you may see a small jump on the scale due to water fluctuations, but that would be normal.

If you continue feeling anxious about calories and guilty for eating, however, it might make more sense to stop counting for a while, or talk to a Dr or your University nurse, even if it's just to get it off your chest.

Liftng4Lis

Add your calories back slowly so you can watch your results. First week add a 100 a day, then the second week add 200. This way you can see that you're still losing.

MrsSchimmy

I know EXACTLY how you feel. Others might give you advice but I know the emotional played into this just as much as the logical for me.

I am currently increasing my calories because I KNOW my body needs it but the emotional fear is something I had to overcome slowly. I started with adding 10% of my calories for this week. I give it a week and a half for my body to slowly adjust, then add more for another week and a half and continue on until I hit a reasonable calorie intake for me.

I have a history of anorexia and bulimia and this way helped me to avoid any sort of relapses. What you describe has hints of that anorexic behavior/thoughts that I have...

girlviernes

You won't gain weight (except as other have stated can be some water fluctuations).

I actually think another approach is to really try to go up to 1590. I know it is scary, but the more you do it the easier it will become. That is the nature of anxiety. But you can approach it more slowly as well. I think with some additional calories you may also be less obsessive naturally.

However, if you give it a fair shot and still really struggle please reach out for help. There should be counseling resources at your school and they will often have a lot of experience working with eating issues.

Kalikel

Having emotions about food - especially guilt over eating or fear of eating - is a good indication that something may be up. Most colleges have counselors you can see for free. You should avail yourself of this service now.

Do not wait until you're sure you have an actual problem. Many people don't decide they really have an eating disorder until they weigh 300 pounds or 95 pounds.

Weighing and measuring is a little obsessive. Counting calories is something many anorexics do. Some count gum. Some add calories for water, even though it has none, "just to be on the safe side." I always say that if I wrote a book about anorexic, I'd title it, "Just To Be On The Safe Side," lol. I knew a girl who sat next next to the window because she thought maybe, just maybe, the sunbeams on her skin would help her burn calories.

It's a painful, messed up disease and if you think you even might have the beginnings of a problem, the time to seek help is NOW.

Anorexia is a lot like alcoholism. The person doesn't admit they REALLY have a problem - even to themselves - until they're deep into it and can't get out without help.

Go get help.

First Rule Of Holes: When you find you're in one, stop digging.

Go see a counselor. If not a counselor, a doctor. Do NOT wait until you're sure you have a problem.

Take care.

molson55

Thank you so much to everyone who responded. All of the advice you gave was great and I really appreciate it! It's nice to know that people out there actually care! I'm definitely going to take your advice, try and increase cals to what they should be and if I can't bring myself to, I know I need to make an appointment to talk to someone. Thanks guys!