Am I becoming dangerously obsessed?

DekuNutty

Well, here's the thing. I joined this site a few months ago, after having lost 7lbs since January this year. I had yo-yo'd for the months before that, and had decided that I needed to watch what I eat. I was overjoyed by the fact that I then lost weight... and it stayed off.

But that's where things started to go wrong.. I am now addicted to counting calories. If I go into a shop, I go into an almost panic like state if they haven't got what I know is the lowest calorie item that I can eat (as in not containing foods that I don't like), or ifbthey only have higher calorie items... and by that, I mean anything over 400 calories for a meal. athe other night, doing grocery shopping online, I had a full blown panic attack because I couldn't by a certain type of healthy chicken breast, and I have started to dread eating at the college, because the only healthy option is baked potato.

I've also become reliant on stool softners, since I've always had problems with going to the toilet, and if I don't go, I tend to panic that I'll gain weight back. I hate the idea of it more than I hate what I'm ptobably doing to my body by doing this.

I've gotten to a point where, even though I want to encourage people on here, and wish for support too, I have stopped most contact with people so that they are unlikely to judge me if I eat under on calories, which makes me happier than it should.

I just need to know. Is this dngerous, and if so, how do I stop these obsessions?

redredy9

It sounds like you need some counseling from a medical or mental health professional.

drmerc

It sounds like you need some counseling from a medical or mental health professional.

this

Sarauk2sf

It sounds like you need some counseling from a medical or mental health professional.

Agreed but it seems like you know that you may have a problem anyway

BurtHuttz

I'm concerned that you used the word panic twice. You should not be panicking over weight loss. Counting calories is a way to help you avoid panicking; it takes all the complexity and mystery out. Just try, roughly, not to go over your calories. If one day you do, get it reigned in the next day.

You didn't gain weight through imprecise calorie counting, or through choosing not-the-lowest-calorie-item on menus.

I do think it's normal to have your focus get a little hyper now that you're paying attention. But don't replace one bad habit (overeating) with another (obsessing.)

schondell

You have developed an eating disorder.

BalenciaLynn

I have the same problem, im scared of calories and freak when i see something thats over 50 calories.

I decided to not log my food and not look at the nutrional information, this way i can still plan healthy meals and then not worry so much on the calories.

DCpaleochick

if you have to ask this question then you yourself already know its dangerous and a obsession.....get professional help

stepheatscake

This is dangerous and can lead to an eating disorder.

Here's what I would do. It will be hard for the first week because your old habits are going to surface and panic mode will set in.

Naturally thin people couldn't care less how many calories are in a bagel, banana, muffin or drink. You have to forget the calorie aspect of eating and just eat to satisfy your body. You need to start eating exactly what you're craving (who cares if it's just cookie dough) and eat until your SATISFIED, NOT full. On a hunger scale of 1-10, eat until you're about 6. You could go on, but you've had enough.

I know it might scare you to eat exactly what you're craving because for so long you've shunned cookies, chips, sweets etc. But if you eat these, you'll soon lose your taste for them and start craving healthy foods. Your weight will find it's perfect balance. The key to this is eating when you are HUNGRY and stopping when you are SATISFIED.

Also, quit weighing yourself. That's another obsession that goes along with calorie counting. Look at your body in the mirror and compliment yourself. Self-respect leads to self-disipline.

PS - go read "Thin Within" it is an eye opener. Life changing book that helped me overcome my eating disorder!

puddy29

it can become obsessive but you have to slow down and pace yourself. i know you heard on here several times that you can eat pretty much what you want but in moderation and stay within your calorie count. don't drive yourself crazy with it. if one store doesn't have what you need go to another one. don't trade one obession (food) for another one. Good Luck

Canadien

This is exactly what happened to me. My anxiety and OCD did nothing to help matters. I'm now in therapy and it's helped a lot.
I suggest you take a long break from MFP and maybe consult a professional, or even just a close friend who cares and is knowledgeable about nutrition and health.
xx

DoomCakes

The fact you're freaking over calories and using stool softeners regulary and panic when you don't go... might be a sign of the start of an eating disorder. You might want to talk to a mental health professional before it becomes a bit more obsessive. It's good to count calories, but some very healthy foods are over 100 calories in their own, and when you're eating properly, bm's shouldn't be a problem.

cmcollins001

Go find a counselor, therapist, doctor, or whomever you can find in a health/mental professional capacity and have this discussion with them. Asking a question where you already know the answer on a forum such as this is going to result in a million answers, and not all of them are going to be helpful.

Talk to a doctor. Now.

BaconMD

A quick flip through a few days of your food diary shows you don't even come close to your daily goal, and sometimes are barely scratching 1000 calories. Why are you worrying about such low calories when you have so much room to eat? You don't trust the numbers, which is the problem here.

MoreBean13

removed by mod

First of all, stool softeners =/= laxatives.
Second of all, they reduce bloating by drawing fluids in to your digestive system to flush solids out. It's short term and upsets your electrolyte balance, leaving you dehydrated. You might have a *very* short term lower weight on the scale, but not only will you gain the water weight back, but it will likely cause you to retain more water in the future. It's much safer to reduce water-weight bloating by watching your sodium intake and increasing your dietary potassium intake by concentrating on whole foods.

I'm really scared for both you and the OP that you are posting things like this. Please, seek some help. II really hope things get better for you.