concerned about getting an eating disorder.

thrillpop
thrillpop Posts: 20
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi. I've been extremely stressed out when joining myfitnesspal. I thought it was hard enough just counting calories... but here I'm discovering I have to count carbs, protein, fats, etc.

I lost 50 lbs without counting ANYTHING last year. just eating healthy, exercising and not denying myself if I felt hungry.

I've found it at 150 lbs it's become alot harder to lose weight. I suffer BED. But I'm also obsessed with losing weight. I'm really concerned this site will turn me into a mindless number counting freak. I get anxiety If I eat say too much protein than recommended. Living in fear I'll stay fat, or not lose weight.

I really don't know what to do. do you all have any advice at all? I'm honestly just trying to save myself from hurting myself or landing in the hospital....

yes I want to lose weight to feel better about myself and look better... my self esteem is extremely low and I've been treated badly for being overweight in my life...

Replies

  • sarafil
    sarafil Posts: 506 Member
    If MFP is not a healthy thing for you to do, then DO NOT use it. You say that you lost 50 pounds without counting anything, so what you did before obviously worked for you. You can use MFP just for support, for posting topics you want more info on, etc. You do not need to log your food here. Obsessing about calories and your macros is not healthy living, and for some people is not the best way to lose weight. Congrats on knowing your "warning signs," I know that is not always easy.
  • LabRat529
    LabRat529 Posts: 1,323 Member
    First, you don't have to count everything possible just because MFP gives you the tools to do so. Count what you want to count and don't worry about the rest. To lose weight, all you have to do is stay in a calorie deficit. Yes, it would be better if you could focus on getting enough proteins and healthy fats too (your macros), but if that's adding stress to your life, then don't worry about them.

    Second, if you're really experiencing this much anxiety over MFP, perhaps you should either avoid MFP all together, or go chat with a counselor. I don't mean that unkindly- it's just that anxiety and obsession can be harmful to your mental, emotional, and even physical health. You need to find a way to manage these feelings... if that means avoiding MFP, than you avoid MFP. If that means counseling, then you go to counseling.

    MFP is just a tool and like all tools, it may or may not work for you. MFP does not own you. It does not care if you use everything it offers. It does not care if you stay perfectly within your allotted calories, proteins, and carb. Frankly, it doesn't care about you at all. It's a website. You don't owe MFP anything. So make it work for you and stop working for it.
  • Pfirmana
    Pfirmana Posts: 4
    I started losing weight before I stumbled upon MFP, and I have to admit, seeing those red numbers that you've gone over would send me into tears, and I thoughts of "getting rid of those calories" even crossed my mind. What I focus on is clean eating, 5 times a day, which always puts me over on calories. You can change your settings so that you are allowed more protein etc, because they definitely don't give you a large enough allowance. You made healthy choices and before MFP, don't let this computer-generated software make you feel guilty! I use it to be able to glance back and see, and just so I have an idea of how much protein and cals I get in a typical day. Some days i still freak out when I eat chocolate or something "bad" and I had a few friends worried, including myself, that I was going overboard. But I know I am healthier, and in control, as are you. When you start feeling panicky like I get, just remind yourself of where you were a year ago and how far you've come! :)
  • mfpcopine
    mfpcopine Posts: 3,093 Member
    If this site makes you obsessive, don't use it. Instead,put together six, eight,10, healthy meals within your calorie range and rotate them. If you know exactly how many calories they contain you won't have to keep track, but you have to stick to your plan, don't make substitutions. If you don't lose weight, consider a change.
  • geekyjock76
    geekyjock76 Posts: 2,720 Member
    It is true that the less you have to lose, the slower the progress. However, you shouldn't worry about the macro breakdown so much. Eating a single macronutrient in excess necessarily will not lead to weight gain - you have to net above your TDEE to accomplish that provided you know the range of maintenance. You will not gain weight while your net calories are at or under maintenance range unless you have some medical issue such as insulin sensitivity.
  • raeraeti
    raeraeti Posts: 108
    If you don't want to count calories, may i suggest visiting http://www.choosemyplate.gov/supertracker-tools/daily-food-plans.html
    I find that making sure I get the right amount of each food groups prevents me from eating crap that is within my calorie range. Also, you don't have to count cals, just make sure you get everything you need and limit the extra stuff.

    It's not a fool proof plan, but it might work for you.
    Just my 2 cents!
  • raeraeti
    raeraeti Posts: 108
    If this site makes you obsessive, don't use it. Instead,put together six, eight,10, healthy meals within your calorie range and rotate them. If you know exactly how many calories they contain you won't have to keep track, but you have to stick to your plan, don't make substitutions. If you don't lose weight, consider a change.

    This is also a really good idea!

Categories