Counting Calories: Not for Me
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Sounds like you need to get a grip. Your post just makes me think you don't have enough understanding of nutrition and how to manipulate it to make changes in your body.
Gee, I made it quite apparent that I have a problem with food. (Which is a symptom and not the main issue, as with anyone with an ED.) I'll try to get a grip though, just for you.
I'd actually say I know a considerable amount about nutrition. I'm certainly *not* an expert or professional by any means, but I've read a bevy of information about healthy weight-loss and nutrition, and I've learned many things about cooking and eating in more healthful ways. Please don't assume I'm ignorant and I won't assume you're a jerk by the insensitivity of your post. ^_^
Why does food cause such a different reaction to anything else in life that has boundaries. Does knowing you have to live to a certain budget, or drive on the correct side of the road, or follow protocol in your job cause such a strong reaction?0 -
try Paleo. you dont have to count calories and you can eat as much as you want; it's a bit restrictive but you get used to it. Think of it as fuel for your body0
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I think theres a happy medium between the perceived insensitive jerks and the people who are 100% understanding. Obviously counting calories has triggered something for you that is very negative. This is not a normal response, and you seem to understand there is an underlying problem that needs to be resolved. I hope for your health that you find a way to cope or a way to solve the underlying issues you have with food. I'm not an expert, I don't know you, and I hate to speculate on what might be the cause of your problem, but I like to think of food as fuel. We have such an emotional connection to food, that I like to eliminate that and think of it as needing calories, needing nutrients. I find foods I enjoy eating that fit my goals, and I eat them when its convenient and sometimes when my body needs them most (carbs and protein in the post workout 30 minute window, for instance). Maybe that helps, maybe it doesn't. Good luck!
Someone else mentioned that calorie counting isn't for them b/c they have issues if they should go out with friends and go over their count or stay in and be a slave to the number. This comes down to goals... If you are counting calories your goal is obviously to lose, gain, or maintain weight. Calorie counting is merely a way to achieve this goal. Is that goal more important than your social life, your friends, your personal life, work, etc? It probably shouldn't be... Can you modify your behavior to achieve both goals? Yes... there are plenty of people on here that drink go out with friends (me included on occasion) and manage to achieve our fitness and health goals. You eat better when you go out, you choose lower calorie drinks that you still enjoy, and you live your life. Plus one day going 300 calories over isn't going to kill your goal, you'll get it back... Just don't make it a habit, and do better next time.0 -
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You. Are. Not. A. Special. Snowflake.
Chances are you're just doing it wrong.
Love it when people don't even bother reading the post
I read the post, twice. My point still stands.
The point is that you haven't made any point... But ok....0 -
try Paleo. you dont have to count calories and you can eat as much as you want; it's a bit restrictive but you get used to it. Think of it as fuel for your body
Yes, let's recommend a restrictive diet to someone with ED tendencies *facepalm* :noway:0 -
Someone else mentioned that calorie counting isn't for them b/c they have issues if they should go out with friends and go over their count or stay in and be a slave to the number. This comes down to goals... If you are counting calories your goal is obviously to lose, gain, or maintain weight. Calorie counting is merely a way to achieve this goal. Is that goal more important than your social life, your friends, your personal life, work, etc? It probably shouldn't be... Can you modify your behavior to achieve both goals? Yes... there are plenty of people on here that drink go out with friends (me included on occasion) and manage to achieve our fitness and health goals. You eat better when you go out, you choose lower calorie drinks that you still enjoy, and you live your life. Plus one day going 300 calories over isn't going to kill your goal, you'll get it back... Just don't make it a habit, and do better next time.
That was me that said that, and I 100% agree with you. I have gone over on calories plenty of times and still reached my goals. However, mentally it was becoming a struggle for me. I would literally cry over the decision to go out with friends. That's not healthy or normal, and it's why I stopped counting. We can't always control the way things affect us mentally. Calorie counting was going great for me, and then all of a sudden it wasn't. Now I only count occasionally (for a couple weeks at a time to make sure I'm staying on track). I've reached all my goals to date and now I'm striving for my dream body, and slowly getting there. Calorie counting is a great method for losing weight; however, it CAN trigger ED tendencies in some people. Obviously those people should avoid this method.0 -
Calorie counting works for me, most of the time. Sometimes it is discouraging. If its not working for you, and it sounds like that is the case, there are ways to lose weight without counting calories. Weight Watchers has a diet where you eat foods from a list, but never count the calories, and you eat until you are satisfied. There is the Red Light Green Light Eat Right diet. It was designed for kids/teens, but there is an adult plan, too. I am sure there are other diets with no calorie counting. I know someone that lost 100 pounds just by writing down everything he ate. Keeping track of it, helped him realize when he over ate. He never did add up the calories. Also if you have ED tendencies have you considered seeing a counselor, just to help you work through it. It can be helpful.0
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Why do some people have road rage, and others don't? Why do some people find it easy to live within a budget and others struggle? Why do some people have ED or ED tendencies and others don't? This is just a weakness that needs to be overcome.Sounds like you need to get a grip. Your post just makes me think you don't have enough understanding of nutrition and how to manipulate it to make changes in your body.
Gee, I made it quite apparent that I have a problem with food. (Which is a symptom and not the main issue, as with anyone with an ED.) I'll try to get a grip though, just for you.
I'd actually say I know a considerable amount about nutrition. I'm certainly *not* an expert or professional by any means, but I've read a bevy of information about healthy weight-loss and nutrition, and I've learned many things about cooking and eating in more healthful ways. Please don't assume I'm ignorant and I won't assume you're a jerk by the insensitivity of your post. ^_^
Why does food cause such a different reaction to anything else in life that has boundaries. Does knowing you have to live to a certain budget, or drive on the correct side of the road, or follow protocol in your job cause such a strong reaction?0 -
I understand where you are coming from. I have suffered from OCD since I was a kid and also went through a bout with an ed in my late teens. I don't think everyone who has offered their "help" have any kind of understanding about triggers and mental issues. It is very obvious in the idiotic posts on this thread. If food and more specific counting calories triggers these issues for you then I would first suggest speaking to a phsychiatrist to work through your issues.
There really aren't any cures for OCD or EDs. They can be controlled but most will have to be diligent about keeping the disordered thinking to a minimum. For me I find that counting calories aggravates my OCD and ED. It is about control and it sometimes manifests itself in specific triggers. For me calculating my calories is a trigger but other things would be fine for me to do like balance a check book.
I only count calories when I have to adjust my intake. Recently my activity level went up and it caused my maintenance cals to go up as well. I will count for a week or two to adjust to the new calorie intake but then I will stop logging unless my weight and or energy level changes. It has worked for me, I have lost 130lbs (125lbs of that maintained for two years without counting).
Those who are cluless about triggers and mental issues, please don't offer you "help" as you have no clue what you are talking about.0 -
Wow, I'm usually a dismissive jerk on the forums and even I think some of these comments are rude and uncalled for.
OP, talk to your physician and see if you can get a referral to a specialist or go to a psychiatrist or therapist. People here are jerks.0 -
I am so much like you. I'm tracking my food for accountability reasons right now... so that I DO eat. You're right, counting can trigger. Maybe take a few days off and just eat to see how you feel? Go from there... you can do it! If you need a venty friend you can add me0
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Yeah... I'd say get a good therapist who understands eating disorders, and get off MFP pronto, if only to avoid the sort of comments I am seeing in this thread. For shame.0
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Does looking at your bank statement cause erratic spending?
It does if you have a gambling addiction.
I'm really sick of people on here. I love the supportive posts, you guys are what love and understanding is all about!
But the people making nasty, rude, denigrating posts towards someone who has issues not with her weight but her self image.. you disgust me, just..
:explode:
We love you OP, great job recognizing the triggers and tendencies!! Above all else we must be in good health!0 -
I definitely discourage calorie counting for anyone with ED tendencies - it's a slippery slope!0
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No, the same rules do not apply to everyone- she clearly stated it was not about nutrition, it is about her mental health- which is just as important. Yes, ate the end of the day it is the classic calories in - calories out formula which makes weight loss successful. Her point, however, was that monitoring the calories made it too hard not to over think and obsess about food, which for some can be a slippery slope into unhealthy behaviors (i.e. binge and purge, starvation, etc.). She was not complaining that tracking does not help her lose weight, she was articulating that it was making it difficult for her to do it in a psychologically healthy way.
You may have "read her post twice", but you did not hear or understand anything she was saying. Moreover, there is not place for your rude, unkind, and mean-spririted judgement here. Apparently your mother forgot to tell you if you do not have anything to say, don't say anything at all -especially regarding strangers whose stories you do not know or understand.0 -
I definitely discourage calorie counting for anyone with ED tendencies - it's a slippery slope!
This^^^ people with ED or ED tendencies should not be calorie counting. Focus should be on proper nutrition and learning to have a positive relationship with food, not on calories in/out. I see so many posts about people being at goal weight but afraid to go to a maintenance level of calories...which just makes me sad that they think they have to keep on dieting to maintain.0 -
If you feel like it's pushing you into disordered behaviors, then it probably would be good to take a break. However, I would caution that you don't use it as an excuse to fall into even more or more frequent disordered behaviors. Whatever you decide, please take care of yourself. Be concerned for your health, not just how thin you are. You are worth taking excellent care of yourself.
Edited for typo.0 -
Does looking at your bank statement cause erratic spending?
It does if you have a gambling addiction.
I'm really sick of people on here. I love the supportive posts, you guys are what love and understanding is all about!
But the people making nasty, rude, denigrating posts towards someone who has issues not with her weight but her self image.. you disgust me, just..
:explode:
We love you OP, great job recognizing the triggers and tendencies!! Above all else we must be in good health!
Thank you, and to everyone with supportive words. I sort of posted this thread on a whim. I don't typically talk about things in real life, as I don't think anyone would really understand. (Most people think I'm fine the way I am, and don't understand my desire for weight-loss.) I also don't have the confidence to deal with people who will only say I'm too weak, or that I just need to get over things. I already do that to myself enough as it is. The online community is the only community where I've ever felt comfortable divulging information about my psychological idiosyncrasies. I never claimed to be "special", I just felt like venting.
Some of the comments on here have indeed been scathing, but I'll try not to take them to heart. I suppose I should have expected as much, the internet is full of jerks and bullies trying to assert their dominance. However, I must admit I was a bit taken aback by the vitriol. I suppose the only thing I was looking for was an affirmation that yes, it's okay to stop counting. It doesn't make you a failure, it doesn't make you weak, it won't make you fat.
At this point, I'm probably more active than I've ever been in my life. My body-image and self-esteem has always been askew, and in recent years it's only gotten worse. As a child, I always felt inferior to my classmates physically, because I was so terrible in P.E. I'd be picked last constantly and I was thin. I just lacked the athleticism and competitive drive my peers had, despite my endeavor to try my best at activities.
As a shy and intrinsically self-conscious person, that's definitely set me up to have a poor attitude about exercise and it's been a struggle to combat my fears. The uber competitive jock types that gloat about their prowess while diminishing your own, they certainly don't help. I feel that in America there is an overbearing mentality that shuns people who aren't good enough at sports, a mentality that says you've got to do it bigger, better, harder and faster to be worth a damn. I never enjoyed team sports and activities as a child, and I think part of combating the obesity epidemic involves fostering a more inclusive community. People shouldn't feel like they have to compete against anyone. It's okay to start slow, not everything must be like "The Biggest Loser".
For the first time I'm beginning to enjoy exercise, because I'm doing what makes me feel good about my body, despite it not being where I want it visually yet. I'm proud that I can now run for thirty minutes when before I could barely make it for 30 seconds. It may be at a slow pace, but it's a huge improvement that makes me feel worth something. It started with walking for me, which lead to an interest in dancing and now, running.
I can't stand people who shun walking or any "low intensity" exercise as being inferior or not "good enough". It *is* good enough for someone who's not used to exercise, for someone who's not in touch with their body. It's good enough for the sake of being a positive non-sedentary activity. I've tried the 30 Day Shred many times, but could never make it past a few weeks. I absolutely hated it and dreaded it each day. I used to be down on myself for not being able to stick with it, but I've realized that it's alright. At some point, I might be able to get through, but for now I'm not going to let it bother me. For now, strength exercises on the Wii will suffice.
Fitness, as with everything else, is not a one way street. The fact that I have perpetual self-doubt and use food as a way to cope with anxiety plays a big role in why I don't think calorie counting is for me at this point. Why some people feel the need to insult me is beyond my comprehension.0 -
It is okay. Many people lead fit an healthy lives without ever counting calories. For me, counting calories is something I cannot stick with long term. I just plain can't log every bite I eat every single day. Partially because it's inconvenient, and partially because I start to get obsessive and that makes me miserable. I started out doing that on MFP and now I'm just on here to occasionally track and make sure I keep a good idea of what is the right amount to eat. So you're not alone, and it sounds like you've made awesome progress so far. i enjoy measuring progress in fitness goals. For example, running for 30 minutes when you previously couldn't last 30 seconds is absolutely great. I'm glad you don't let people get to you. Seriously, what's the point in getting onto a forum that is supposed to be for help and support just to be a.... {pick your favorite obscenity & insert here}???0
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It's not counting calories that is the problem it is your reason for turning to calorie counting that is the problem. The heart that drives you to the behavior is the problem. Have you considered getting counseling for this?0
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I think if you've learned portion control and generally macro nutrient breakdowns from MFP you wouldn't need to log. I suffered a mini ED when I would basically do 4 hours at the gym and eat ~1000 calories daily through prepackaged meals. I've always loved food, so restriction has always worked well with me, but flexible dieting has allowed me to not be afraid of food and still hit my personal goals. Your situation is a little different and as long as you're happy with your health and lifestyle I see no problem with eating healthful foods and not worrying too much about it. My mom had a recipe that needed broccoli and she was like "this looks like about 10 oz" and already knowing what 10 oz vaguely is I told her that it wasn't 10 oz's and she could use my food scale. It was 8.3 and she weighed out another 1.7. I recognize that a serving size is 3-4 oz for steak etc without even really needing to look at the database I can roughly figure out the meal by sight.
I have poor body image and for me MFP has allowed me to contain my binging and extreme calorie cutting with the knowledge that I know exactly what I'm eating. I'm really glad that you're enjoying exercise and fighting the good fight. Society has pressured us to be a certain way, but it looks like you're already well on your way on making good changes. I do low intensity steady state cardio... walking is awesome. Honestly, walking for 45 minutes on an incline is just as hard if not harder for me than squatting 320 lbs.0 -
I feel the same way.
I don't have the same ED issues that you describe, but I do feel that logging calories has made me a worse person. I find it to be a burden most days and I have way to many issues with the "if every day were like today, you'd weigh __" statement, the red color that the numbers turn when you go over the calore allotment, and the constant stress associated with logging EVERYTHING. I felt so stressed about it that I would binge eat. I ended up eating terribly as soon as I had a "bad day" - associated with the things I mentioned above.
I think you have to take care of yourself first and foremost. If your binging and purging doesn't stop after you give logging calories a break, see a therapist. Talk out your issues - there is nothing wrong with talking. There is also nothing wrong with taking a break from logging - it might just be what you have to do to set yourself on the right path.
Best of luck to you!0 -
I definitely discourage calorie counting for anyone with ED tendencies - it's a slippery slope!
With bulimia or anorexia tendencies. I have BED or compulsive overeating and calorie counting helps me a lot. I have gained 11-15 lbs in a single week in my life.
On Weight Watchers they say not to use their program if you have an eating disorder. so it is probably the same for you with MFP.
Maybe you should try to use this program with the help of a counselor or psychologist who specializes in eating disorders. The thing that is so great about calorie counting is that it makes you accountable in the opposite way too in eating the correct number of calories for you ( not overeating and not undereating) and if you learn to calorie count you can stop having so much fear that you will gain weight over time. Anorexics often are put on calorie counting to gain weight. Me with BED to lose it. Is MFP just making you more aware of when you don't eat enough and when you overeat? So you have compensated with ED behaviors? I had some triggers to start throwing up again after about 7 months of being on WW when I started having problems with binging a couple years ago and did for a month or so but then stopped when I saw that it was actually causing me to gain weight every week I did it. It was not something for me that I could not control though it is that way for some people. I am sorry you are going through this.0 -
WORD...I NEVER COUNT ****...I WRITE DOWN ALL MY FAVORITE FOODS...AND THEN I EAT THEM EVERY ****EN DAY...AND THEN I SEE HOW MY BODY REACTS I THEN WRITE DOWN MY FAVORITE FUN AND PLAYFUL EXERCISES WORKOUTS AND I DO SOME ONLY IF ITS FUN...THEN I SEE HOW HOW MY BODY REACTS....POOF MAGIC HAPPENED!
KRISTIAN ROCCO0 -
It's ok not to count, and since it sounds like exercise is a positive thing in your life right now, maybe keep most of your goals in that sphere. You said you like running, road races are GREAT and very positive (costume runs, color runs, etc. add fun!), and most people aren't running to beat anyone, they're running to finish. Also, it's kinda fun to have a whole crowd cheer for you and to cheer for others. I'd definitely recommend talking to someone about the ED tendencies, and good for you for recognising the problem, next step is talking to your doctor or mental health professional.0
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I totally understand where you are coming from. I have control issues and one of the reasons I didn't even try to lose weight for years is because I know what happened with my ED as a teen with restricting calories.
It's really hard to turn off ED thoughts, they never completely go away, but after many years they are fewer and farther between. I finally felt comfortable counting calories last year and it has worked great (telling by my ticker). I think it would have been just fine to eat healthier and cut the junk I was eating too though. I just needed to get myself back in check.
This last year I decided to make living a healthier lifestyle more fun by cooking meals etc.0
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