Mfp has cause more harm than good for me.
Graelwyn75
Posts: 4,404 Member
I have found that since finding mfp, I have spent every evening glued to the forums, obsessing on 'clean eating', have developed a fear of having any pre packaged meals, of allowing myself the treats I used to have regularly amidst my regular food, along with the fact I now feel impelled to workout everyday, regardless of anything else I might feel like doing, because everyone else seems to be working their *kitten* of obsessively on a daily basis, burning anything up to thousands of calories. Along with this, I have been having severe binges, only since joining the site. As soon as I started actively counting calories, obsession took over. Not to a point of starving myself or anything like that, but to a point of becoming totally consumed by analysing what might be the best diet for longevity, what might be the best diet for a lean body etc etc. It has removed whatever remnant of intuitive eating I had remaining. Sure, I did not have the best diet. I ate a lot of veggie microwave meals, alongside my fruit and veg, and mcflurries and chocolate were a fairly regular fixture in my life. I walked a lot, or swam, or rollerskated or cycled, and I was not overweight. Not 18% bodyfat lean, but not overweight either. I felt healthier. I felt happier. I was more relaxed and I was living my life and had space for other things. Now, every evening, all evening, is spent on mfp, reading more posts and feeling as if I am on some alien planet when I see people logging every bite, every calorie burnt. I go out for a long bike ride, and no longer feel able to stop off for a coffee and toast, or a slice of cake. No way jose, that is not clean, we are not meant to have treats more than once a week, once a month, once a year even, lol.
Has anyone else hit this issue with mfp?
I know it works great for people who are endangering their lives with their weight issues.
But for me, sadly, it seems to have just kicked in my competitive, perfectionist streak, and made me feel compelled to have a perfect diet diary, to burn 600 calories + in exercise a day to not feel lazy compared to everyone else, to revolve my life around eating the best I can for a long life and health, which ironically, is making me feel less healthy. Yep, eating a pile of veggies everyday, and fruit, and greek yoghurt, eggs, fish, chicken, beans, almonds and sweet potatoes, has left me feeling more crap than when I had baked potatoes, microwave veggie meals, quorn(horribly processed), smaller amounts of veggies, ice cream, chocolate and some fish.
Has anyone else hit this issue with mfp?
I know it works great for people who are endangering their lives with their weight issues.
But for me, sadly, it seems to have just kicked in my competitive, perfectionist streak, and made me feel compelled to have a perfect diet diary, to burn 600 calories + in exercise a day to not feel lazy compared to everyone else, to revolve my life around eating the best I can for a long life and health, which ironically, is making me feel less healthy. Yep, eating a pile of veggies everyday, and fruit, and greek yoghurt, eggs, fish, chicken, beans, almonds and sweet potatoes, has left me feeling more crap than when I had baked potatoes, microwave veggie meals, quorn(horribly processed), smaller amounts of veggies, ice cream, chocolate and some fish.
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Replies
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Me personally? No. I like calorie counting (I am kind of weird that way) although I could be perfectly happy and in decent shape without it.
Having said that it isn't a good fit for a lot of people much like yourself given the psychological issues it raises. There is more to life than losing weight but feeling downright miserable all the same time.
If what you were doing before worked and you were happy...then...keep...doing it.0 -
If it is really taking over your life you need to take a step back and take a reality check.
Ask yourself if you are happy with the way things are? If you aren't then, in my opinion, something needs to change.
We want to be fit, happy and healthy but if you are missing out on one of those components then you need to find a good middle ground to settle in.
Have a slice of cake and a coffee when you are out and about but make up for it by cycling a little harder or doing it in a different gear!
Everything in moderation I say!0 -
I think this may be an indication that there are other issues in your life that you need to take care of. Ultimately the website is a glorified calculator with a database- there really isn't anything that would cause this, except how you use the information presented.
A lot of people think that eating disorders start and stop with anorexia and bulimia, but they don't. What you describe is an unhealthy attitude towards food and diet, and that may be the start of an undefined eating disorder. You might benefit from speaking to someone. I don't know where you are, but in the UK, we have this- http://www.b-eat.co.uk/0 -
I probably spend more time on here than I should, but I've taken a relaxed view when it comes to what I eat. There is much more to life than obsessing over getting the perfect diet, and I take my share of breaks from logging. If you're finding yourself in the forums too often, obsessing over the perfect "clean" diet, and not enjoying your activities as a result, perhaps it's time to step away and take a break.0
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I think this may be an indication that there are other issues in your life that you need to take care of. Ultimately the website is a glorified calculator with a database- there really isn't anything that would cause this, except how you use the information presented.
A lot of people think that eating disorders start and stop with anorexia and bulimia, but they don't. What you describe is an unhealthy attitude towards food and diet, and that may be the start of an undefined eating disorder. You might benefit from speaking to someone. I don't know where you are, but in the UK, we have this- http://www.b-eat.co.uk/
Yes.0 -
I have found that since finding mfp, I have spent every evening glued to the forums, obsessing on 'clean eating', have developed a fear of having any pre packaged meals, of allowing myself the treats I used to have regularly amidst my regular food, along with the fact I now feel impelled to workout everyday, regardless of anything else I might feel like doing, because everyone else seems to be working their *kitten* of obsessively on a daily basis, burning anything up to thousands of calories. Along with this, I have been having severe binges, only since joining the site. As soon as I started actively counting calories, obsession took over. Not to a point of starving myself or anything like that, but to a point of becoming totally consumed by analysing what might be the best diet for longevity, what might be the best diet for a lean body etc etc. It has removed whatever remnant of intuitive eating I had remaining. Sure, I did not have the best diet. I ate a lot of veggie microwave meals, alongside my fruit and veg, and mcflurries and chocolate were a fairly regular fixture in my life. I walked a lot, or swam, or rollerskated or cycled, and I was not overweight. Not 18% bodyfat lean, but not overweight either. I felt healthier. I felt happier. I was more relaxed and I was living my life and had space for other things. Now, every evening, all evening, is spent on mfp, reading more posts and feeling as if I am on some alien planet when I see people logging every bite, every calorie burnt. I go out for a long bike ride, and no longer feel able to stop off for a coffee and toast, or a slice of cake. No way jose, that is not clean, we are not meant to have treats more than once a week, once a month, once a year even, lol.
Has anyone else hit this issue with mfp?
I know it works great for people who are endangering their lives with their weight issues.
But for me, sadly, it seems to have just kicked in my competitive, perfectionist streak, and made me feel compelled to have a perfect diet diary, to burn 600 calories + in exercise a day to not feel lazy compared to everyone else, to revolve my life around eating the best I can for a long life and health, which ironically, is making me feel less healthy. Yep, eating a pile of veggies everyday, and fruit, and greek yoghurt, eggs, fish, chicken, beans, almonds and sweet potatoes, has left me feeling more crap than when I had baked potatoes, microwave veggie meals, quorn(horribly processed), smaller amounts of veggies, ice cream, chocolate and some fish.
Well log off then0 -
As with anything, you can totally over-do it. This wasn't intended to be a forum to make you feel badly, so if it's functioning that way, I'd say get it out of your life & find something else. Everything isn't for everyone.... Good luck.0
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Hell no, I agree that it's made me look more carefully at what I'm eating and at times not buy some items because of the calorie content, but if I've learnt anything in my 190 days here, it's that you are allowed to make mistakes - you are allowed to screw up once in a while without it majorly affecting your losses...and that sometimes it's a good thing to go over as it can give your metabolism a much needed boost.
Just because you have all the information doesn't mean you need to obsess over it and strive for perfection - there is no such thing and what works for one person doesn't always work for another. There's no point in being healthy if you're not happy - find a balance & enjoy life.0 -
For what it's worth - My advice would be to stay off the forums and surround yourself with supportive "Friends". I rarely come into the community side, tonight is just to be nosey
I've found that MFP makes me accountable for what I put into my body and my exercise choices, accountable to myself and the people I chose to have as friends on here - That's what works for me.
Choose the right support people that fit in with the lifestyle you want. If you have no intention of being a bodybuilder or a gym bunny, then don't surround yourself with unachievable peers
I hope you find a place where you can still make healthy choices that make YOU happy
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When I first joined here I too fell into the MUST EAT CLEAN all the time bull. I found out that it's too rigid for me to keep doing long term. We need to enjoy our lives eating some of the things that aren't perhaps thought so "clean" I felt much better knowing the odd treat isn't a sin but a good thing for me. I would never do that again. That is why I like the way IIFYM (If it fits your macros) works.. I roughly follow it.. very roughly lol but then I get to enjoy life and stay on track the rest of the time. Lately following the 18/6 way of eating on top of that and we'll see how that goes. You can still do this but try to stop being a perfectionist like I am so we can live better not just slimmer. Best wishes. The site can work for us, we just have to use it to our benifit and not the opposite. :flowerforyou:0
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The reason I stopped calorie counting on here and also stopped coming to the forums so much. There's too many people on here thinking they know it all and think that if it worked for them it MUST work for everyone else... Not a fan of people like that.
Take a step back, don't visit every day, take a break, focus on eating healthy, not on the calories and you will be fine!0 -
I don't worry about what I eat I just have the same food as I ate before MFP but better portion control and less snacks. I just aim to achieve a caloric deficit until I get to a comfortable weight. A by product of losing the weight and getting fitter is that I want to exercise and will continue after my weight loss journey is over. Use MFP as a tool to get to where you want to be not as an obession.0
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For a brief spell, I spent a lot of time on the forums and to an extent I did "obsess" over my food/calorie intake. But then I went away for a week and realised I had changed my eating habits through doing so and now I am a lot more care free with it.
I went over by 900 calories last week, but I also worked out 6 days last week, all because I wanted to and because I cared less about what MFP said. I feel good for last week!
So to be honest, I think it's a phase you can find yourself in and it's your job to take the positives from that and step away a little.
If you have the right mentality over this, you will have learnt valuable information and tools from the forums and then you can put those into practice in a way that it's incorporated into your lifestyle.0 -
each to there own, if it is not working for you then stop ""Take charge. Write your own story."
for me it helps and i'm happy here0 -
Personally, no. For me this journey is about incorporating a lifestyle change, whether that's one food choice at a time or trying new things. I still eat unhealthy things but now in moderation and definitely less frequently. Now, in regards to MFP causing harm....I am glued to it each day reading all the fun posts, being less productive, etc. but I'm inspired and motivated by my friends as well!0
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Why don't you remove all friends to remove the competition element of burning exercise calories on MFP. I was like this to an extent then i realised, If a 350lb person does a 60min 3mph walk they burn WAY more calories then i did so i was being unrealistic trying to compete. Maybe 1 of the weight loss groups would be more beneficial to you as its more about the food side then the exercise. Slimming world for instance is not all about clean eating as your allowed syns and they are factored in to the diet plan.
I went trough a phase where i would not go out with my friends socially and drink alcohol because i couldn't stand the calorie content of it and i convinced myself i would undo all my hard work by going out and letting my hair down. It consumed me and i was turning into a hermit. So i stopped it by having alcohol but trying to be sensible about it nd having vodka with diet drinks then a diet cola or wine and soda.
That's all i can suggest really huni but reading this post now it seems like your swapping 1 issue and building up another bigger one to solve it. Its so so easy to allow a life change to consume you, but that said in the long term it means its impossible to keep it up without making yourself poorly or missing out on other fun elements of life. Ie stopping off for coffee and toast or having "unclean" family meals. Just try to take a step back from it all for a bit and re assess what your ultimate goals are.0 -
I do 80% 'clean' 20% 'treat'. A few of my friends eat clean, bit they don't judge me, and I don't judge them. I'm recovering from surgery right now, can only walk, I have friends training for half marathons, and men on my list who burn thousands of calories at a time. Or doesn't bother me, I'm happy for them, I don't think I have to do it because they do
This is about you, and how your feeling, and how your letting things effect you. Sounds like it would be better for you to leave myfitnesspal. For me it's an amazing tool, but if your not in the right frame of mind I can see why it wouldn't be. You have to learn to not take everything on in the forums and follow your own path, whilst talking advice from successful friends on your list.
I read the forums and in the past I bought into some ideas on there that didn't work for me, I soon realised I had to take them with a pinch of salt and do my own studying of things.
Zara0 -
i can totally relate to you in every way lol
i was obsessed with eating clean, exercising and everything.
However know ive learnt to focus more on my own things rather than everyone else. If they want to eat rabit food 100% of the time then let them do that im more than happy with my bowl of cereal and tracker bar for breakfast and lunch haha.
Now ive learnt to control my obsession im finding MFP a fabulous tool for getting me back to my healthy eating ways.0 -
I don't understand why people feel that clean eating equates to not enjoying their life??
If your enjoyment of life hinges on consuming fast food you may want to revaluate your priorities.0 -
It is simply a tool to use to track your diet and fitness routine. You can be part of a supportive community or not. MFP doesn't push you to eat clean. Your issues will remain with you though whatever tool you choose to use.0
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Nope, not me. If I want a beer or an ice-cream I will go have one. Exercise is cycling to and from work not hours down the gym.0
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I think this may be an indication that there are other issues in your life that you need to take care of. Ultimately the website is a glorified calculator with a database- there really isn't anything that would cause this, except how you use the information presented.
A lot of people think that eating disorders start and stop with anorexia and bulimia, but they don't. What you describe is an unhealthy attitude towards food and diet, and that may be the start of an undefined eating disorder. You might benefit from speaking to someone. I don't know where you are, but in the UK, we have this- http://www.b-eat.co.uk/
Yes.
WELL SAID! Address what is EATING YOU, and you will STRESS LESS about what YOU ARE EATING...Good luck!0 -
It sounds as though you have some other issues to work on in addition to the weight you want to lose.
Perhaps seeking some counselling either in a group, or individually, may help you work on your anxiety and
in turn, this may be what you need to look at the weight loss in a more healthy way without obsession.
A weight loss program on it's own will not be successful if you are not able to resolve the other issues that may have
been a part of the reason you neglected yourself in the first place.
For some people it's something they not even be aware of , and for others they may be aware of it, but need additional help in
dealing with it. There's a lot of help out there.
I wish you all the best in sorting this out.0 -
I've been here for 534 days and haven't really changed much in my diet as such, definitely not a clean eater, rarely exercise, hasn't done my weight loss any harm at all, I eat a healthy amount of food and move a little bit more than I used to but I still can't even do a push up. I love it here, I've made lots of new friends and they keep me motivated. I think it definitely comes down to your frame of mind :flowerforyou:0
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I guess you've missed the pop tart ice cream sandwich threads....
I think if you're having trouble keeping things in perspective whilst being a member of MFP, then perhaps it's time to take a step back and get back to where you're feeling better.
I definitely can understand how MFP could lead to one becoming obsessive with their diet/exercise, though I don't think the majority of MFP users have this issue with the site. Obsessive thoughts are a problem that has a much deeper root than something like an online forum. I think if you continue to have these sorts of thoughts about diet and exercise after spending some time away from MFP, you should probably see if you can get some professional help.
My best to you, OP. Take care. :flowerforyou:0 -
I love MFP. It has changed my life. If it isn't working for you....then don't use it! :indifferent:0
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I started that way, but that was because I was trying to stick to the 1200 calorie thing and convinced that only by eating "clean" and starving myself like everyone else who says "oh it is easy if you don't eat crap" that I was going to lose weight.
You know it is possible to use MFP, actually eat, allow yourself some junk, lose weight and be happy. You just have to decide how you want to do things and avoid the crazies.
I am thankful that I found the IPOARM group, it helped me a lot. I may not have lost a lot of weight, but I've fixed my metabolism, lost a lot of fat and inches and gained muscle. And you know what? I EAT MORE than I did before.
You start to realize that weight is just a number that means squat when you see your weight go up, but the inches drop.
So do yourself a favor, before you give up, come check out the IPOARM group, I guarantee you will be happier. Good for those who eat "clean" and all that stuff, but personally I like to have me a burger and chocolate and still lose fat.
A lot of the posts in there got a recent overhaul to try to be more clear. I know they look daunting, but read it. Take the time, you will be grateful with the way you feel now.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/974888-in-place-of-a-road-map-2k13
If you want a friend who likes eating food, wont give you crap for eating processed foods as long as you're doing good on your cals (and I don't mean 1200 or less) and macros, then feel free to add me.0 -
i've grown to despise the word "clean" since joining this site. it's utter nonsense. food is fuel. trying to label some foods "unhealthy" and others "healthy" is in my opinion, a mental illness. perhaps not a serious one by itself, but it can start some people down the path to much more serious mental and emotional issues relating to how they view food (i.e., full blown eating disorders).
an orange isn't "healthy" or "unhealthy"... it's just an orange. it's no more or less than a collection of calories, macronutrients, and micronutrients that just happens to come in it's own spherical carrying case. the same goes for pizza, or ice cream, or bananas, or brown rice, or bread, or any other food you can name.0 -
...to read later...0
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