When does it stop being 'watching what you eat' and become a

Margarita211

Hey everyone, there's something that has been bothering me and I wanted to get some opinions...

When does watching what you eat become an obsession? Is there anyway to tell when you have crossed the line from being careful into being obsessed? I ask because I've been having a lot of arguments with a person in my life who thinks that I am too obsessed with counting calories and, for lack of a better word, dieting. I've only recently joined myfitnesspal, but prior to joining I lost 13kgs in about 3 months. Because I lost the weight so quickly there has been a fairly noticable change in how I look and the clothes I wear (I literally bought a whole new wardrobe because nothing I owned fit). This person is forever telling me that I should gain some weight, or at the very least stop trying to lose more. I am towards the bottom end of my healthy weight range, but I want to drop another ten kilos. Technically this would put me in the 'underweight' category, but my frame is quite small so I won't look too thin. This person is telling me that I am unhealthily obsessed and that I need to stop thinking about numbers. Admittedly I am forever thinking about numbers and calories, and today I worked out that I spend an average of two - three hours a day looking up nutritional information and researching diets, bmi's, calories... I love doing it, it's like a hobby for me. Does anyone else do stuff like that? Or am I just a weirdo obsessed with counting calories?

poisongirl6485

when your desired goal is going to put you in the underweight category, that's a cause for concern.

What's your height and current weight?

kneeki

I think your friend is just jealous. It happens. =\ Great work btw!

bjfmade

Knowledge is power

maidentl

I think your friend is just jealous. It happens. =\ Great work btw!

Why would her friend be jealous? She admits that she is obsessed and wants to be UNDERweight. What's there to be jealous about?

HoopFire5602

You sound like me. I would go see a professional psychologist and talk to them about it. I was actually diagnosed EDNOS when I finally went and talked to someone.

poisongirl6485

I think your friend is just jealous. It happens. =\ Great work btw!

She said she was already at the low end of the healthy weight range and wants to lose over 20 lbs still, which puts her underweight. I hardly see that as a jealousy issue, but more of a concern for her well-being.

AnninStPaul

" I am towards the bottom end of my healthy weight range, but I want to drop another ten kilos. Technically this would put me in the 'underweight' category, but my frame is quite small so I won't look too thin. "

You are at the bottom of your range and want to lose another 22 pounds? The bottom of the range is for those with a small frame, there should be no need to go beyond it. Slow down and maintain for a bit, so you keep off the 28lbs you have lost.

Bellyroll

Sounds like the starting of an eating diz. You need to really look at yourself and tell yourself that you are amazing and SEXY.

bjshields

It's funny, because I *just* had this talk with a (obese) friend who says she once was bulimic and a size 2 and now is obese. She says that being anorexic and being obese are the flip sides of the same coin -- and I think you hit the nail on the head with "obsession." I am fascinated by fitness, so I read a LOT on it and finally decided to become a personal trainer. I do not obsess over the numbers, however. I think you need to do some inner work in order to decide if you're obsessed or on top of it. Good luck to you!!

ElizabethRoad

This concerns me more than anything:

Hey everyone, there's something that has been bothering me and I wanted to get some opinions...

It is bothering you. You're questioning whether what you are doing is healthy. To me, that indicates that there is a problem.

bmw4deb

What is your height and weight? sometimes the weight charts are way wrong :grumble:
at 5' they have me at the lowest 98lbs:noway: my frame is medium

marquesajen

Sounds like they are legitimately concerned for your health, especially if this will put you "underweight". You're right that everyone's build is different and depending on your height "healthy" can mean many things, but I would suggest you see a doctor about it, because while you may NOT be obsessed or getting unhealthy, you might be. If there's a chance then it is worth looking into.
Your height should be taken into consideration when trying to find a healthy weight.

poisongirl6485

OK I'm gonna call troll. The below was posted 3 days ago by the OP. Pretty sure 183 lbs at 5'2" is not on the 'bottom end of a healthy weight range."



"I need a good diet and exercise plan. I'm 23 183 lbs and 5'2". I also don't have access to a gym so I would need home routines. I also don't have treadmills and stuff like that. I want to lose all this weight in 3 to 4 months. I'm also new to exercise."

nehushtan

I'm putting my vote along with others here: you shouldn't go "underweight" for your height.

Yes, it is possible to be clinically obsessed (the word is overused colloquially) with counting calories. If this is truly an obsession and it is leading you to be too thin for your health, you probably should seek counseling.

Don't hurt yourself!

maidentl

OK I'm gonna call troll. The below was posted 3 days ago by the OP. Pretty sure 183 lbs at 5'2" is not on the 'bottom end of a healthy weight range."



"I need a good diet and exercise plan. I'm 23 183 lbs and 5'2". I also don't have access to a gym so I would need home routines. I also don't have treadmills and stuff like that. I want to lose all this weight in 3 to 4 months. I'm also new to exercise."

Thanks for the info. I'll put her on my "list." :devil:

ahsongbird

she also said she is about a size 12 ... lol

ahsongbird

she also said she is about a size 12 ... lol

i'm 5'1 155 lbs and IM not a 12... major troll here

ProTFitness

B-A-L-A-N-C-E!!!!!!

pillport

I say keep it up, if you enjoy it do it, it may be the way to keep the weight off. I lost 30lbs in March, it took me 5 months, and in 5 months I have put back 20lbs, I am so mad at myself. I did not watch or count what I ate. So here I go again and maybe I'll be more like you.

mlwestbury

Well by your own admission you have said that you have done a lot of research. So you know about BMI and a healthy balance with calories and food. And since you know this what do you think about being in the unhealthy range of the BMI scale? What does the research tell you about that? I understand that falling in this range may not make you look "Too Thin" but in terms of being fit and healthy what does this BMI range/goal that you have set for yourself mean for your health?

I guess if you are losing sight of your overall health as a goal then perhaps your friend might have a point. Perhaps you should take some time to reevaluate whats important to you in regards to living a manageable long term healthy lifestyle. Once you reach your goal the key then will then be to keep the weight off in the future.

If you know that your tactics are unhealthy, obsessive, and not sensible based on the information you have researched then you've lost the battle already even if you do hit the unhealthy range set by the BMI standards. I think you have all the answers you need stored in your brain. Now it time to stop reasearching, apply what you know and be sure to enjoy life. I hope this helps. Congrats on your weight loss and good luck on reaching the best goal you have set for yourself. :-)

-M

katcod1522

Im 5' 2....185..and I am a size 12. different bodies.

poisongirl6485

Im 5' 2....185..and I am a size 12. different bodies.

But you're not claiming to be on the low end of your healthy weight range.

GinNouveau

When you start considering becoming addicted to nicotine or using laxitives to lose weight.