Serious Post...I think I may have an ED

Dahllywood
Dahllywood Posts: 642 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Hey guys,

So I've had a ton of success with MFP and my general weight loss over these past few years, but I think it's going too far and I can't stop. I've lost 85 lbs, but I'm dipping under 130lbs at 5'8''. I cut down my workouts from 5 days a week to 3, but I keep losing weight. I usually do cardio with some free weights.

I get so addicted to the "green" numbers of MFP and seeing all of the calories I have left over. I don't like getting in the red even though I should be maintenance-focused now. I'm worried that I'm going to start doing harm to my body, 130 lbs at my height seems low...but I can't stop.

Please give me some advice/suggestions. Thanks

Replies

  • kenazfehu
    kenazfehu Posts: 1,188 Member
    Did you adjust your goals to show your maintenance target?
  • Dahllywood
    Dahllywood Posts: 642 Member
    Did you adjust your goals to show your maintenance target?

    yeah
  • shovav91
    shovav91 Posts: 2,335 Member
    Please get professional help. I went through something similar after almost a year on MFP; it's good initially, but it can easily be taken too far. I'm extremely proud of you for realizing you have a problem; that's often the hardest part. I'm praying for you and hoping you live a long, healthy and care-free life. I emphasize "care-free" because MFP made me addicted to the sense of control which is nearly impossible to beat. I struggle with it every day; I hope nothing of the sort for you. Enjoy your success, but regain control of your life- don't let control take hold of your life.
  • MichelleLaree13
    MichelleLaree13 Posts: 865 Member
    Nothing better than talking to a doctor.
    Switching from losing to maintaining is hard. You dont want to lose weight or gain. You have to find a perfect calorie intake. Try switching your goal to maintaining on this site and it will give you a good idea how many calories you should be eating.
  • DGK12
    DGK12 Posts: 117
    Go talk to a doctor, a nutritionist, a dietitian....someone who is a professional and can direct you down the right path. I can tell you that I'm 5'4'', a woman, and 130 would be in an average weight range for me. It sounds like a low weight on a guy like you. You've done great, but don't let the numbers be your downfall. Go get help!!
  • Mads1997
    Mads1997 Posts: 1,494 Member
    Seriously if you think you have a eating disorder you are best to seek out professional help in your town, not over the internet.
  • MichelleLaree13
    MichelleLaree13 Posts: 865 Member
    Did you adjust your goals to show your maintenance target?

    yeah

    Are you eating back your exercise calories too?
  • obsidianwings
    obsidianwings Posts: 1,237 Member
    Probably a doctor would be best if you think you have a problem. That being said, maybe you could kind of mind trick yourself, set your calorie goal higher, that way you still get to see the green numbers when you are eating the right amount of food?
  • 2hobbit1
    2hobbit1 Posts: 820 Member
    Getting help from your practitioner is a good idea. They can help steer you in the right direction. Have you looked at http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/get-help-today/ there is a lot of good info there.


    Take a break from logging, it may help if you are not so focused on a number.
    In the mean time you can start to make a few simple changes to what you are currently eating to add back a few more calories with each meal with out making major changes to the volume you eat - You no longer need the low fat options - go back to full fat cheese, 1% milk products, add a drizzle of olive oil to your salad dressings - skip the light versions, cook with a little oil instead of steaming every thing.

    Hang in there asking for help is the first step. There good resources out there please use them!
  • fittocycle
    fittocycle Posts: 827 Member
    I took a peek at your food diary and I have to admit, you are making some excellent food choices! You have lots of healthy, whole foods and eat very little if any processed foods. Nice work!:wink:

    However (and there's always a however) you do leave quite a few calories leftover at the end of the day. I know it's difficult to eat your target exactly but try to get much closer. Try eating some nuts or have some almond or peanut butter on an apple or banana. Switch out your cereal for breakfast and replace it with oatmeal and add in walnuts and raisins. Enjoy one cheat day once a week. It's okay and might even be good for your body.

    Try giving your body a couple weeks off from workouts. When you do go back to workouts, concentrate mainly on weights. You're young and don't really need to do a ton of cardio right now, especially if you are at or below goal.

    You seem like a very intelligent, perceptive person. It's great that you are aware you have an issue with going too low on your weight. Please listen to yourself and others and try to make some changes. You don't want to go down a slippery slope to an eating disorder and being aware is one of the first steps.
  • dr2k12
    dr2k12 Posts: 291 Member
    That's really light for a 5"8 man bro you should see if you can get a handle on that. I think you should be at least 150-160 if not a little more. I'm 5"8 too and my goal is 185 for my body type which is pretty thick...

    Good luck!
  • tommygirl15
    tommygirl15 Posts: 1,012 Member
    I was so surprised to see you post this topic, your meals always look so big and wholesome. What if you upped your cals a bit? I think this is justified if you are working out 3-5 days a week. You could do it gradually to ease into it. There's a lot of good suggestions from other posters. I'm not really an expert at all in these matters, but I'm here to help if I can, even if it's just to encourage you a little extra here and there :)
  • Dahllywood
    Dahllywood Posts: 642 Member
    Thanks everyone. I do eat a lot of food, but so much of it is veggie and fruit based. I love it, but I realize at the same time that it's not calorie heavy. Idk, it's definitely a mental thing that I'm struggling to get over.
  • ChasingStarlight
    ChasingStarlight Posts: 424 Member
    Maybe we should be friends and make each other eat up! I don't quite think I have an ED, but I have only just moved to maintenance and I am struggling a bit with eating enough.

    I did eat a fair bit yesterday to try to get up to my weekly goal, so hopefully we will get used to maintenance. Maybe pick a good weight range for you and make your goal to stick there? I have a rock bottom weight and I am telling myself I am not allowed to go below that.
  • catinohio
    catinohio Posts: 82 Member
    Checked your diary; yes, you are eating good, wholesome foods.

    At the end of each day, do you click on the "complete this entry" box in the diary, where it tells you what your weight woulld be in 5 or so days if everyday were like this one?

    While I can appreciate how good it feels to see those green numbers, if your desire is to not lose any more weight then those daily messages could be a reality check that what your are doing is not consistent with your 'now' goal, which is to maintain.
  • castlerobber
    castlerobber Posts: 528 Member
    Thanks everyone. I do eat a lot of food, but so much of it is veggie and fruit based. I love it, but I realize at the same time that it's not calorie heavy. Idk, it's definitely a mental thing that I'm struggling to get over.

    Please do get some help settling into maintenance. All the veggies are great, and the protein seems reasonable; but you eat so little fat that you may be headed toward vitamin deficiency. Try adding extra-virgin olive oil, extra-virgin coconut oil, or butter to the veggies; eat an egg or two (whole egg, not just the white); have full-fat cheese instead of reduced-fat.

    Good luck to you.

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