Obsessed

melliebee

So I was told that I am 'obsessed' with losing weight. Maybe I am? I am constantly thinking about food.. I beat myself up when I have a 'bad food day'.. I am happy with my body and don't hate the way I look, but I still get upset when I don't lose weight.. What should I do?

MarniElizabeth

I am the SAME way! I don't think I'm really overweight, but I am obsessed with what I eat and losing pounds. All I can do is think about it!

cmriverside

Wow. And you are two of the most beautiful women.

I hope you figure out a way to love yourselves without this obsession. Enjoy your youth and beauty and accept that no one is perfect.

irisannRN

I'm obsessed too! My husband finally told me that I am not allowed to talk about calories anymore lol.

HelenTheKitchen

People don't realize how emotional losing weight can be. It affects you as much mentally as it does physically, and it's very easy to become obsessed. I went to therapy and it helped a lot with my emotional well-being over my weight-loss process. This website actually helped a lot too. You need to change your mindset, which is sometimes easier said than done. Lots of luck!

dragonbug300

You're going to hate this, but the key to fixing this obsession is to challenge it directly. Go one week without counting calories, looking at food labels, weighing yourself, or following a strict exercise regimen. That's not to say that you should eat unhealthy and quit the gym, but just give yourself a week to live like the majority of humanity does: without counting calories or worrying about weight.

bike4now

I'm a bit the same way now also. Was not before. Could not care less. Now I want to keep it all off. I think its sort of OK because you are healthier for it and like the way you look. It's a lot better than looking in the mirror, being way overweight and feeling terrible.

ReneeOfTheFae

Isn't it better to be thinking about it than to mindlessly stuff our faces? At least, that's my justification for constantly thinking about what to eat and what my next workout should be. This way, we're mindful of our habits and don't go back to the "dark times."

fteale

As long as I let my husband take the time to exercise as well he doesn't mind.

lilac01

Same here. I always feel like I can lose a couple of pounds more everytime I reach my goal weight.

dragonbug300

Isn't it better to be thinking about it than to mindlessly stuff our faces? At least, that's my justification for constantly thinking about what to eat and what my next workout should be. This way, we're mindful of our habits and don't go back to the "dark times."

There is a fine line between being mindful and being obsessed. Mindful is planning your meals and exercise ahead of time, but being okay with life if plans stray. Obsession is where you think about calories constantly, and are extremely hard on yourself for minor "setbacks" or "mistakes". Eating a piece of gum and going over calories by 2 is no big deal, but to an obsessed person it would be a failure worthy of an intense gym workout.

Be nice to yourselves, guys and gals. :flowerforyou:

broadsword7

I am happy with my body and don't hate the way I look, but I still get upset when I don't lose weight.

Getting upset with yourself and kicking yourself for having a bad food day are negative psychological effects. So maybe try to balance that with some positive psychology. Think about the good things you have done, are doing, and will be doing for yourself and try to focus on that when bad thoughts come in. The biggest thing I have done for myself since focusing on my health is to adopt a more adventuresome spirit when it comes to diet and exercise. Choosing the right foods and doing exercise despite the temptations not to are "mini-adventures" that, when achieved, give me a satisfaction that sustains me until the next adventure. Maybe your adventures are more psychologically challenging than physically challenging, but I say go for it, stay positive and feel good about the choices you make and the things you do. A "setback" is not the end to your adventure so there is no point getting upset, but rather, just another challenge to feel good about conquering.

Good luck!

cng1117

i was getting like that at first, but had to catch myself. If I want to talk about cals and weight then i come on here. I try not to think about weight related items unless im hungry or feel like a snack, lol then I think about them, but only as far as planning that meal goes, during the meal i try not to think about it and just enjoy it for what it is: a tasty and satisfying dish. For the remainder of the day i try to find something different to occupy my brain, like a book, or a video game, or gardening, going to town, taking a stroll through the park, something that gives me something else to focus on and talk about other than food.

funkyspunky871

Isn't it better to be thinking about it than to mindlessly stuff our faces? At least, that's my justification for constantly thinking about what to eat and what my next workout should be. This way, we're mindful of our habits and don't go back to the "dark times."

There is a fine line between being mindful and being obsessed. Mindful is planning your meals and exercise ahead of time, but being okay with life if plans stray. Obsession is where you think about calories constantly, and are extremely hard on yourself for minor "setbacks" or "mistakes". Eating a piece of gum and going over calories by 2 is no big deal, but to an obsessed person it would be a failure worthy of an intense gym workout.

Be nice to yourselves, guys and gals. :flowerforyou:

Exactly. I got that way just a few weeks ago. I'd starve myself for a day if I had to... just to make up for a few calories over. I've been trying to be more lenient now on my diet... which is not going so well if you ask me. At least I'm not constantly thinking about calories anymore. Whew.

Anyways, my advice: Take a break if you can. I can't. I really want to, but I'm too scared of gaining back my weight. If you're already happy with your weight, then it should be easier. GET OFF MFP. I hate to say it because I love MFP sooooo much... But it's just an obsession waiting to happen.

cutmd

I'm obsessed too! My husband finally told me that I am not allowed to talk about calories anymore lol.

I got the same thing. Might also be a type A thing. I feel like I'm even more obsessed with this site than i am with my own floundering weight loss attempts.. Gosh. Better go to bed!:embarassed: