Life before weight loss/calorie obsession
lozadee
Posts: 89 Member
I've suddenly realised the number one thing on my mind is calories, food, gym, burning off, what I can/cant/portion size...At work, the gym, socializing, when my mind wanders, while I'm in meetings ect....
I've a long way to go but I cant stop thinking about every aspect of food/drink/gym...is there a way to switch off for a short time or is that when "snackcidents" will happen??!
Its important to me so I want to think about it, but I'm not sure what the happy medium is now....
I've a long way to go but I cant stop thinking about every aspect of food/drink/gym...is there a way to switch off for a short time or is that when "snackcidents" will happen??!
Its important to me so I want to think about it, but I'm not sure what the happy medium is now....
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Replies
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Snackcident loooooool0
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I'll let you know as soon as I can turn it off myself..0
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I feel the same way and every time I try to be "normal" about food I get into and snackident. :sad:
EVERY DAMN TIME!0 -
It's not that much different for me. Before I would wake up hungry and wondering what I'd eat that day. Now I wake up and wonder how I'm going to balance my calories in with calories out.
If I never had to bother with food again I'd be so happy, as long as it didn't involve a feeding tube or something like that.0 -
I've suddenly realised the number one thing on my mind is calories, food, gym, burning off, what I can/cant/portion size...At work, the gym, socializing, when my mind wanders, while I'm in meetings ect....
I've a long way to go but I cant stop thinking about every aspect of food/drink/gym...is there a way to switch off for a short time or is that when "snackcidents" will happen??!
Its important to me so I want to think about it, but I'm not sure what the happy medium is now....
It's been over a year now since I lost the weight I wanted to. I don't feel it's an obsession anymore. It is just a constant awareness and I don't mind a bit, because I NEVER what to go back to what I was before. I got over weight because I was unaware. Now I realize also that being fit and in shape is AGAINST THE GRAIN OF OUR CURRENT SOCIETY and keeping it will be a constant swim against the stream. It will always require some effort, but I love it and how healthy I feel that I never want to give it up.
I view it like other things that take time to become engrained and simply a part of what you do like brushing your teeth, driving a car, tying your shoes, etc. Over time it become less effort to think about and you just do it.0 -
Snackcident loooooool
Hahaha, I love it.0 -
I've suddenly realised the number one thing on my mind is calories, food, gym, burning off, what I can/cant/portion size...At work, the gym, socializing, when my mind wanders, while I'm in meetings ect....
I've a long way to go but I cant stop thinking about every aspect of food/drink/gym...is there a way to switch off for a short time or is that when "snackcidents" will happen??!
Its important to me so I want to think about it, but I'm not sure what the happy medium is now....
It's been over a year now since I lost the weight I wanted to. I don't feel it's an obsession anymore. It is just a constant awareness and I don't mind a bit, because I NEVER what to go back to what I was before. I got over weight because I was unaware. Now I realize also that being fit and in shape is AGAINST THE GRAIN OF OUR CURRENT SOCIETY and keeping it will be a constant swim against the stream. It will always require some effort, but I love it and how healthy I feel that I never want to give it up.
I view it like other things that take time to become engrained and simply a part of what you do like brushing your teeth, driving a car, tying your shoes, etc. Over time it become less effort to think about and you just do it.
This response gives me hope! That is right where I want to be one day!0 -
I told myself I wasn't going to log on my birthday but I did.
I had a Red Velvet that morning compliments of my Dad, he put a candle in it and everything.
I resisted the urge to check the calories all morning [I can't work out for medical reasons right now
] but in the end I had to know. 450 freaking calories! I prelog for that reason
I feel like it can become a huge obsession especially once you start becoming familiar with how many calories are in things I've got a memory for numbers so I always find myself mentally calculating and trying to piece together my calories on here and finding it frustrating when I eat someplace where I can't know the exact count.
I think it can be really unhealthy and you just need to sometimes have days where you let yourself go. Still look but you just need to NOT care that you're going over and realize it's going to be that kind of day. Or you could just not log at all but I've fond not logging difficult, I just like to know.0 -
Yeah. Um. My doctor sent me here to gain, but instead I became obsessed with calories and stuff and that hasn't been fun. But anyways. The best way to do it is to just create a healthy habit, and then stop logging. Just resolve not to log, but don't let yourself eat more than you already do. If you're obsessed now, then you doubtlessly know how many cals are in some of the staple foods you consume; you have a grasp of how much you're putting into your system when you grab that super creamy milkshake or other special desert. So know that but don't live by it. Just be cautious.
And what I've also found works really well is that you monitor the way you look. Not too closely. But I'd often just notice how much I had around my stomach. Make sure you never go up a size in your clothes. If you find yourself pushing a bit or notice a change, it's time to eat a bit less.
There's no reason to become completely dependant on MFP. It's just a tool. It's addicting and creates a rather miserable fear, but it's just a tool after all. The good thing is it creates awareness. Try to focus on that. Keep the good habits, never revert to the old!
But the most important thing in getting over calorie obsessions is actually wanting to. See, I don't really quite yet. I really *need* to, but it's hard for me. I'm an awful example, please don't be like me, it's miserable. Take your motivation and run!!
Goodness. I do sound a bit like an addict, don't I.
I need to stop. *facedesks*0 -
It's not that much different for me. Before I would wake up hungry and wondering what I'd eat that day. Now I wake up and wonder how I'm going to balance my calories in with calories out.
If I never had to bother with food again I'd be so happy, as long as it didn't involve a feeding tube or something like that.
This is how I feel - other than I never thought what I'd eat that day - I just didnt think...now even when I've concentrated on being balanced....I still dont like eating because theres and endless web of equations to work out the impact first!0 -
I probably enjoy my food more now than I did then0
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I would say that when it starts to rule your life--you avoid social outings, family gatherings, or holiday--because you want to control your food intake or exercise then you have a REAL PROBLEM and should step away for a while. At the end of the day this is food, weight, and exercise we're talking about and that should come 2nd, 3rd, 4th to your actual LIFE (kids, s.o., work, family, etc).0
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The only difference for me is that I used to obsess about food (what and when will I eat, how much can I have, how can I hide etc) and that has changed to how can I fit in a workout, is there enough salad for my lunch, should I have a green smoothie or toast for breakfast. I do take more interest in the sugar and fat content of food but if I want it I will eat it. Some days it's a breeze to be a normal eater and other days it's a challenge even though I might eat well I spend all day planning it.0
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It's hard to back off when you are so into it, but the longer we're here the easier it will get. I am the same, I'm getting a bit boring, going to try and cut down being on here, especially when I should be working instead!0
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I feel the same way and every time I try to be "normal" about food I get into and snackident. :sad:
EVERY DAMN TIME!
Love this^^0 -
When i turn it off i turn into a food hog and i got a week non stop eating its awful. 0
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[/quote]
It's been over a year now since I lost the weight I wanted to. I don't feel it's an obsession anymore. It is just a constant awareness and I don't mind a bit, because I NEVER what to go back to what I was before. I got over weight because I was unaware. Now I realize also that being fit and in shape is AGAINST THE GRAIN OF OUR CURRENT SOCIETY and keeping it will be a constant swim against the stream. It will always require some effort, but I love it and how healthy I feel that I never want to give it up.
I view it like other things that take time to become engrained and simply a part of what you do like brushing your teeth, driving a car, tying your shoes, etc. Over time it become less effort to think about and you just do it.
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I hope so. Right now I am working on just keeping it to myself and not to drive others around me crazy whom don't give a damn about what they eat.0 -
I obsess massively about calories, health, burning off, weight loss.
However, before I started this, I was obsessed with food... whenever I went somewhere, I'd panic that they wouldn't have the sort of food I liked, or what if I got hungry & there was nothing there. What to have when going out to dinner, what I had last time...
Personally I find this new obsession healthier.
However I agree with the previous poster (love4fitnessl) that if it's starting to rule your life you should probably get some specialist help, starting with your GP. If it's just occupying your thoughts, I'd say that's quite normal. 0 -
i deff feel it is an obsession at the moment partly because for the 1st time it seems to be working this time , i have tried so many times befor to diet but always failed but this time with the help of MFP people/freinds its working :happy: ,my daughter is also on the same journey along with me we spend many an hr talking about cals protien exercise etc and also learning so much ,obsession for now but hopefully to become a natural way of life eating healthy without counting every cal and staying slim :bigsmile:0
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OOAF! 100% respect to you all for those comments. Thank you.
My head was starting to spin with it all for a moment then....all very valid and useful points! I think this weekend I'm going to pre plan/log and try save a few cals to try and just enjoy (within reason)
Theres loads of events/days I think "Il just enjoy this" or I will have a weekend off logging, then I have the counter issue of thinking...If I dont log it....will any extra/hidden calories appear - well if I dont log it and I gain I wont know whats to blame! lol!
I just feel like I'm on the tip of a triangle between being controlled and thought out V loosing more control obsessing too much!
Sticking withit until it becomes routine sounds like the way forward...
Thank you all 0 -
I've suddenly realised the number one thing on my mind is calories, food, gym, burning off, what I can/cant/portion size...At work, the gym, socializing, when my mind wanders, while I'm in meetings ect....
I've a long way to go but I cant stop thinking about every aspect of food/drink/gym...is there a way to switch off for a short time or is that when "snackcidents" will happen??!
Its important to me so I want to think about it, but I'm not sure what the happy medium is now....
I've always been a bit like that for money (I'm Jew-ish, unsurprisingly). And now I'm turning that way towards food as well so my two obsessions have to duke it out, and often combine. "If I value my time at X dollars per hour, how much money would it take to burn off those 'free' work snacks?" I calculated that, if it takes me an hour to burn 500 calories, and I value my time at $25 an hour, then every "free" 100 calories actually costs FIVE DOLLARS. There's currently a pile of 230 calorie packet of cheezits taunting me in the kitchen at work. But are they worth over $10 each? Heck no!
It's a recent change in thinking that I'm still trying to get used to, but it will be interesting once the change is complete. Currently I'm more calorie obsessed than money obsessed.
I think that, with time, it won't be so distracting, there will be a better money/calorie/other thoughts balance. If it's anything like my money obsession it will still be there in the background all the time, and will still be on your mind, but it will mostly be your dominating thought when it's applicable (like when at a restaurant, or when grocery shopping, or when at the gym).0 -
I would say that when it starts to rule your life--you avoid social outings, family gatherings, or holiday--because you want to control your food intake or exercise then you have a REAL PROBLEM and should step away for a while. At the end of the day this is food, weight, and exercise we're talking about and that should come 2nd, 3rd, 4th to your actual LIFE (kids, s.o., work, family, etc).
100% agree, I did think it sounded a bit dramatic - my family and friends are still number 1, its just food/weight seems to be 1.5 - which on the grand scheme of things is still a bit too demanding for my comfort levels! :-/0 -
I just stopped logging. There's a bit of a learning curve, but focusing on honoring your hunger and intuitive eating helps a lot.0
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For me, I embrace the obsession of it. I always obsess over things I'm passionate about. I'm just glad that this time it's over healthy things - running, cycling, proper eating and nutrition, etc. Used to be things like MMORPGs. Thanks a *lor*, WoW and FFXI.
Now instead of wasting time on things that basically get me nowhere, I spend my time building energy and willpower, which I apply to work, family, and friends.
I've never been happier to be obsessed about my health.0 -
I don't look at it as an obsession, but rather a commitment to a healthier lifestyle. I think being aware of what you're putting into your body and how much is absolutely necessary to make needed changes. If you're finding yourself anxious all the time, you may want to cut yourself some slack and know that you CAN eat unhealthier food in moderation. You don't always have to be "on", but just keep track of it as best you can. If this lifestyle is to be sustainable, then it needs to be a balanced one. if you are going out to eat, check out the restaurant's menu online before you go. Pre-planning, when available, can reduce a lot of anxiety when you can't control all the variables. If food is an addiction for you, then yes, you may need to avoid people and places, that trigger that addiction, until you are capable of saying "no". And surround yourself with people who are going to encourage and support you, rather than the ones who seem to want to sabotage you.0
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I try to prioritize my obsessions.
1. Daily food plan to fit calories and macros.
2. Following workout routine (strength training)
3. Well being exercise (LI cardio, stretch)
4. Keeping the daily summary daily of nutrition and exercise (logging exercise is a complete waste of time imo)
5. Reading and meditating on Mindful Eating
6. Weighing each day
7. HI cardio
So, once things get hard, I drop off the low priority items. It also helps to eat a few standard breakfasts/lunches, so you know off hand what to pack along & keep in the office.0 -
OMG thanks for posting this question. I've been at this for 25 days or so and I'm losing and feeling great. But I'm also thinking about food all the time, I never did before. It was just something I did when I woke up, when I was bored, in between cigarettes. Now it's a huge portion of my thoughts.
I feel a bit dependent on this tool. I also stopped going over to friends' events, dinners, whatever because I couldn't have ABSOLUTE control over what I was eating.
Now I still have that anxiety, but I just fill up on quantafiable foods before I go spend time with friends. Or I pick things with obvious ingredients (salads, fruit plate) that I can count later.
Everyone else in my life seems to never think about food. Many of them don't work out at all and seem to eat as much as they want. I am mystified. And jealous.
Either way, this is the first time I haven't been depressed about dropping pounds- I know it is going to happen. So is it worth worrying over how much I worry? Not to me. I'm sick of being fat and the treatment that comes with it.0 -
I'm not obsessed, I'm focused.
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Before I used to obsess with eating sweets, eating to feel comforted, eating to pass time. Now I know what is going into my body and i'm grossed out by the things some people eat, especially in one sitting. Idunno, counting calories and finding new recipes is fun for me.0
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I am right there with ya!! I really want this time around to count and mean a lot more! I want to be able to turn that switch off when I feel I need to eat just because I am bored I want to be able to control what I eat! I just want to be able to get back into all my old clothes and when I can go try something on with out it being too small I want the opposite effect and be bigger!0
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