Life before weight loss/calorie obsession

Snackcident loooooool

I feel the same way and every time I try to be "normal" about food I get into and snackident. :sad:
EVERY DAMN TIME!

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.

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!

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*

I probably enjoy my food more now than I did then

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.

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^^

[/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.
[/quote]


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.

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:

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).

I just stopped logging. There's a bit of a learning curve, but focusing on honoring your hunger and intuitive eating helps a lot.

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.

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.

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.