I have to say this....

michlingle

Hi everyone...I can't help it...I'm here to complain. Perhaps it's almost time of the month (which it is), but here's the deal. I have been having a lot of anxiety after my workouts, like I haven't done enough even though I wear a HRM and calculate a lot of calories during each workout, I generally stay within my daily allowance and eat each calorie I earn. I even upped my daily allowance to 1400 because 1200 sucks. I think I am getting depressed because logging constantly, reading message boards, posting, and constantly looking at how many calories things are online is starting to drive me absolutely crazy. I loved this in the beginning. I am into the middle of month 4 here and love the results, but seriously. I feel like I'm going a bit crazy. Anyone feel this way? It's so positive to be more healthy and I love my self-confidence...it has really carried over into my life in such a wonderful way. But I feel like I have all these thoughts in my head that I can't get rid of....like if I know I can't get a workout in the day before this workout-less day, I have a lot of anxiety. Maybe I need a break from MFP, at least the amount of reading I do on this website, Craigslist difo, and ivillage pages...

michlingle

Hi everyone...I can't help it...I'm here to complain. Perhaps it's almost time of the month (which it is), but here's the deal. I have been having a lot of anxiety after my workouts, like I haven't done enough even though I wear a HRM and calculate a lot of calories during each workout, I generally stay within my daily allowance and eat each calorie I earn. I even upped my daily allowance to 1400 because 1200 sucks. I think I am getting depressed because logging constantly, reading message boards, posting, and constantly looking at how many calories things are online is starting to drive me absolutely crazy. I loved this in the beginning. I am into the middle of month 4 here and love the results, but seriously. I feel like I'm going a bit crazy. Anyone feel this way? It's so positive to be more healthy and I love my self-confidence...it has really carried over into my life in such a wonderful way. But I feel like I have all these thoughts in my head that I can't get rid of....like if I know I can't get a workout in the day before this workout-less day, I have a lot of anxiety. Maybe I need a break from MFP, at least the amount of reading I do on this website, Craigslist difo, and ivillage pages...

ChubbyBunny

It's easy to get sucked into something you are working on/focusing so much energy into.
I'm not as....active...in the community here as I once was....
A big part of that is it kinda....took over my world....the one I live in everyday and replaced it with a world of people who are all after the same goals, dreams, etc. Which isn't the world I live in daily.
I obsessed about my food intake, workouts, calories, etc...
Which in moderation is good and leads to healthy changes but in the extreme can be very destructive. I ended up sacrificing too much.

Perhaps re-evaluation of priorities, goals, etc will help.
I'm laying low...not focusing so much on the outcome.
Giving myself a "break"....which is harder once you get to a certain level.
Missing a workout now and then, eating something not great, etc.

Gotta find the balance...or like most things....it will drive you insane.
:flowerforyou:

mamakitty

It can be very easy to get OCD about calories. Maybe you should make a goal of only logging in 2 times a day just to log your food and exercise. You don't have to log in every time you eat, just keep track and do it all at once, or maybe log what you plan to eat in the morning and then edit it if you need to once at night. Give yourself a break. Remember it is almost impossible to workout everyday.

This site should be a source of strength and support not anxiety and obsession. It sounds like you want to meet your goal and MFP is helping you. When you are trying to loose weight it can be very easy to only think about that because you are focused on your goal. But try finding something else to concentrate on, a hobby or something.

Good luck and don't give up. If you need a break, take it, but don't stray too far or you may regret it later.

jenbar

I haven't logged my food in months. I was getting a little crazy myself. I still lose, not a lot, I usually only do a pound a week. I don't think I've lost in a month though. Give yourself a break, then come back. Between my trip to Disney, my kids long weekend and my reunion, I haven't done that great. So back to they gym tomorrow, and really getting back into it.
We can do it, don't give up!

michlingle

I haven't logged my food in months. I was getting a little crazy myself. I still lose, not a lot, I usually only do a pound a week. I don't think I've lost in a month though. Give yourself a break, then come back. Between my trip to Disney, my kids long weekend and my reunion, I haven't done that great. So back to they gym tomorrow, and really getting back into it.
We can do it, don't give up!

See, I feel like a pound a week is great, it's healthy right? I would congratulate you and myself for losing a pound a week....it's better than killing yourself to lose 4 in a week and gaining it all back because you've deprived yourself....

DjBliss05

I have definitely had a similar experience with certain weight loss programs. MFP hasn't had that effect on me, but I have had it happen before.

If you could find a way to take a break from message boards and websites, but keep logging, that would probably be ideal. You don't have to do it perfectly! Maybe even a week off from logging might help.

I look at MFP as my guide. I know it is here when I need it, but I don't need it all the time. I do at times begin to obsess about the scale, though. Sometimes you just need to take a deep breath. You will lose the weight! You are already doing so well! Don't let yourself get so consumed that you sabotage what you are doing. You might want to ask yourself why it is consuming you so much... what is the purpose of it? What does it mean to focus on the site and how does it benefit you? If you find the answer, you might be able to change the problem.

Nich0le

I have to say that I limit myself to reading certain posts. Actually I had to quit reading posts about what to do or not to do for a couple of months and just do what I know I needed to do.

You have to find a balance, you have to learn to make lifestyle changes and still live your life and sometimes the posts are a distraction from what you really need to focus on. I think we all have moments of feeling anxious about not getting a workout in, maybe there is a worry that one will lead to more. In an effort to distract myself from that I get my regular workouts in and then on "off" days I take a very casual 20 minutes stroll around the neighborhood after dinner so I feel better.

You will find a balance, and that may be not reading posts for awhile, I have definitely limited what I read.

Good Luck!

:flowerforyou:

KatWood

I totally understand where you are coming from. It is easy to let this new lifestyle take over .. well your life I guess. I look at MFP as being a guide to teach me how to eat. Armed with this knowledge I don't think you need to log your food everyday. Perhaps, just try logging your food a few times a week or when you know you have slipped a bit (for motivation). Also, be sure to take some days off from exercising. Spend some time with your loved ones or pampering yourself... after all isn't that why we are doing this in the first place? For a better more fulfilling life for ourselves and our loved ones?

Keep you chin up!:happy:

peej76

I can totally relate!! I actually have stopped using the calorie counter for awhile because I was getting completely anal about it. I find my common sence works just as well. I use the boards if I'm having an off day for motivation and inspiration. But I'm still always thinking about the number on the scale, the amount of food I have or haven't eaten, and how I'm gonna fit in that extra hour of cardio, or my afternoon walk. I keep hoping eventually it'll all even itself out, but I've been doing this for awhile now and it still clouds my brain!!