counting calories=eating disorder?

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  • fourteeners
    fourteeners Posts: 35
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    I have gone from feeling very normal about food, enjoying it with friends, loving to cook, to not eating at all when I am upset with myself for something, punishing myself in a way for something. I would rather be the first way, but I don't know how to do that while trying to count calories. (maybe I am an obsessive person?)
  • purpleipod
    purpleipod Posts: 1,147 Member
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    Purple--your picture is creepy!!!

    I think that calorie county and become obsessive and you can under eat when you need to eat because you are eating something nutritious. It is possible. Try not to stress to much about it though. Just eat what you are supposed to and let the rest take care of itself.

    lol

    It's the Walking Dead app Dead Yourself, it's pretty fun.
  • tattoogal77
    tattoogal77 Posts: 72 Member
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    I think you need to use this website as a tool, and remember that nothing is concrete and permanent. You can use it to look back and see where you made healthy and unhealthy choices, and learn what is making you feel healthier and happier about yourself.

    I know when I tried weight watchers I was feeling that obsessive compulsion when it came to calorie/point counteing. On here I don't feel that at all. If you are starting to feel that you are obsessing over calories and food, talk to you doctor. They may have other ideas for you that are not so overwhelming.

    Wishing you luck with your healthy journey!
  • PRMinx
    PRMinx Posts: 4,585 Member
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    I have gone from feeling very normal about food, enjoying it with friends, loving to cook, to not eating at all when I am upset with myself for something, punishing myself in a way for something. I would rather be the first way, but I don't know how to do that while trying to count calories. (maybe I am an obsessive person?)

    If this is what is happening then, yes, you are obsessing and you are using food as punishment/reward for your own control or lack thereof. If this is impacting your life to that level, then I would strongly encourage you to speak to a professional about what's behind it. A professional will be able to give you better tools to handle life's ups and downs.
  • KristineW78
    KristineW78 Posts: 42 Member
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    I think you have to be somewhat pre-disposed. I have found myself feeling guilty when I overindulge or eat "naughty" foods but then I look at how far I have come and know that yeah, I have to fight for what I want but that the goal is health, not being the skinniest chick on the block :) Having a positive support friend or group can help as well. I stay on track and allow myself occassional cheats, especially while on my cycle (a week before is my weak point) when I CRAVE it! When I do cheat, I take an organic, whole food fatfighter supplement which draws out the bad fat and blocks part of the carb intake. I also stop eating after 6pm. Turning off the TV at this time allows me to avoid those horrible commercials advertising food food food!
  • Lindseyelizabeth87
    Lindseyelizabeth87 Posts: 151 Member
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    I think it's important to look at your counts as more than just the calories.
    I try to stay within my goal, but a lot of the time what I really get out of logging is tracking how close I'm getting to my iron, protein and fibre goals.

    Try not to look at just the calories, and see the additional benefits from the tracking. You're not just trying to stay under a number, you're trying to make healthy choices to fill out those other numbers in a healthy way too.
  • mfpcopine
    mfpcopine Posts: 3,093 Member
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    Depends what you are using the counting for I actually use my log as a guide and always over estimate. This keeps me from obsessing too much because I know that I'm under what I said I was.

    I do the same thing.

    Admittedly, I haven't been counting everything for some time because it's tedious and fraught with inaccuracy, especially if you eat anything that didn't come with a label. But I have an excellent working knowledge of calorie content and I weigh myself several times a week to get feedback.

    I think that if you have a predisposition to clinical OCD or to anorexia counting could trigger them, but the ordinary person need have no concern.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,087 Member
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    I have gone from feeling very normal about food, enjoying it with friends, loving to cook, to not eating at all when I am upset with myself for something, punishing myself in a way for something. I would rather be the first way, but I don't know how to do that while trying to count calories. (maybe I am an obsessive person?)

    From this ^^ and by looking at your username, I'm guessing you're really young. You don't have much weight to lose - maybe relax a little.

    Any obsessive behavior is worth exploring. Why don't you start a computer journal and talk this out to yourself? You are your own best therapist. As Sheryl Crow says, "Every man is his own Prophet, every Prophet just a man."

    Maybe come back to calorie counting when it doesn't cause this anxiety. It's just a tool. It shouldn't have emotional triggers.
  • TrishLG
    TrishLG Posts: 173 Member
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    Over the years I have asked a lot of older small or slender women how they maintained their weight over the years.
    One woman said, "I eat all I want, I just don't want very much.'
    This was sort of a self hypnosis technique. It worked for her.

    Another woman said that for lunch, she always has 4 saltines with peanutbutter.

    Most slender women have the same breakfast, and sometimes the same lunch every day.
    Having that worked out, they only have to present one reasonable meal in the evening for her family.

    Most have learned portion control. Counting calories will eventually become so second nature to you that you will know what portions will keep you in control.

    Everything is really based on calories.
    Remember the Akins diet, just eat protein and light vegetables? If you over did it with the fats, you gained weight!

    20% of all anorexia end up dying. The first time I saw this was when we lost a once lovely young student.
    The binge and purge technique seems as if it gives the girls more control, but soon they find that they have no control.
    When you eat too much, you are suppose to feel stuffed, uncomfortable, and disgusted. That makes you control it better next time.
    Learning calorie intake, understanding more about food, fiber, nutrients, exercise give you knowledge.
    Knowledge gives you power and success.
  • Mjhnbgff
    Mjhnbgff Posts: 112
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    Are you afraid you might have an eating disorder? Simply watching what you eat and counting calories does not lead to an eating disorder. Remember that eating disorders are really not about losing weight, but are symptoms of emotional and psychological issues. I can't tell you how eating disorders develop because I am not an eating disorder specialist, but from my own experience, I know that my eating disorder makes me a little obsessive and inflexible when it comes to food. People with eating disorders have an entirely different way of looking at food and they are very obsessive. No need to worry if you're just counting calories, but if you find yourself unable to eat an apple when you're hungry because it's 1) not on the plan and 2) has extra calories, maybe seek the help and guidance of a pro.
  • fourteeners
    fourteeners Posts: 35
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    I'm 26. (fourteeners refers to a goal of climbing 14.000 ft. peaks. :)
    I am afraid that my perception of portion sizes, of how much I eat, have gotten abnormal, and yes, I do panic at the thought of eating more than that. For example, for breakfast I had a kiwi and about 2 ounces salmon, and I thought in the back of my mind "wow, that was a lot- NO MORE" before realizing that it actually probably isn't a lot. But I feel powerless to eat morel
  • corneredbycorn
    corneredbycorn Posts: 267 Member
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    Not how I am doing it now. Back when I was trying to get exactly 1200 calories a day and I was constantly scrutinizing my diary and changing meals up 14,000 times, yeah, I was worried it was evolving into a disorder so I took several months off from tracking.

    The way I do it now though is that I have a 300 calorie range I try to stay in, which gives me a LOT of wiggle room and I don't beat myself up for going over anymore (mostly because I know I am still in a deficit, depending on the calculator I use).
  • mfpcopine
    mfpcopine Posts: 3,093 Member
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    I'm 26. (fourteeners refers to a goal of climbing 14.000 ft. peaks. :)
    I am afraid that my perception of portion sizes, of how much I eat, have gotten abnormal, and yes, I do panic at the thought of eating more than that. For example, for breakfast I had a kiwi and about 2 ounces salmon, and I thought in the back of my mind "wow, that was a lot- NO MORE" before realizing that it actually probably isn't a lot. But I feel powerless to eat morel

    If you don't want to count calories, research and construct 10 healthy, calorie-appropriate meals and eat them exclusively. Weigh yourself weekly, and make adjustments as needed.
  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
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    Some people do get obsessed, so I think it can lead towards one if the person already had disordered eating tendencies before. However, I don't believe that it would cause the disordered eating unless someone already had some latent problems.
  • Peanutbutterx
    Peanutbutterx Posts: 332
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    it's good to have a diet plan or guidelines - like no fried food, no sugar things like that, but something ive learned from being to big and then to skinny was that it's really important to Listen to your body. Like eat when your hungry and stop when your full. If your really hungry for something, then eat it! ;) just dont go crazy with it, but its good to eat mostly healthy stuff and give yourself treats once in a while. life is something you should enjoy and not be just counting stuff all day, that being said i do agree a lot with one of the people that said something on here about once you learn more about calories and portions and stuff that you just kind of naturally end up knowing good portion sizes. its important to not eat tooo much, but remember its also important to be eating enough to get all the nutrients you need. stay healthy and happy, God bless :)
  • MissFitee
    MissFitee Posts: 106 Member
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    I'm 26. (fourteeners refers to a goal of climbing 14.000 ft. peaks. :)
    I am afraid that my perception of portion sizes, of how much I eat, have gotten abnormal, and yes, I do panic at the thought of eating more than that. For example, for breakfast I had a kiwi and about 2 ounces salmon, and I thought in the back of my mind "wow, that was a lot- NO MORE" before realizing that it actually probably isn't a lot. But I feel powerless to eat morel

    Sounds almost identical to me. Up until maybe 8 months ago I would eat very little. I think something that helped me alot was to ask people around, me that I trusted to be honest with me, about my portion sizes. The one who had to put up with my annoying questions the most was my boyfriend. :p

    Just choose good food and try to be really honest with yourself when plating and try to finish everything you plated even if you feel the guilt growing inside. You just have to kick that evil monster's *kitten*.
  • fourteeners
    fourteeners Posts: 35
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    constructing healthy meals and then focusing on eating them exclusively... I think I could do that!
    Actually, I know I can do that. Until I feel super stressed about something, and then I just shut down and can't bring myself to eat. But as long as I can recover from those times, I think I can be healthy the rest of the time.
  • Peanutbutterx
    Peanutbutterx Posts: 332
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    Balance = Healthy :)
  • Abner88
    Abner88 Posts: 7
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    No,counting calories is good for your health i mean by doing this you will know what did you eat and how much did you eat so its will be little more easy for you to achieve you fitness goal,But there is nothing like eating disorders in that.Stay cool

    <a href="http://www.fortefitness.com/">Orlando gym</a>
  • peasantsong
    peasantsong Posts: 107 Member
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    I'm a recovering anorexic, so yes. I sometimes worry and am always conscious of how obsessive I'm being when I am engaging in any triggering behavior, including counting calories. I'm clinically overweight right now, so I definitely need to lose, but I must be mindful not to become too fixated on the numbers because it feels very much like it felt when I was sick. It's not a pleasant memory and definitely do not ever want to be in that mental place again.

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