Are people crazy or do I have an eating disorder?

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Replies

  • Lorichr
    Lorichr Posts: 54
    If you have an eating disorder than so so I. Almost everything you just described is me exactly.
  • yrollam1013
    yrollam1013 Posts: 41 Member
    If anything they are worried about your strictness in only eating what you've planed, and in going to the lengths to bring your scale out. It isn't an eating disorder unless it interferes with your daily life which it doesn't sound like it is. Questions to ask would be, do you ever turn down going out with friends or family because you can't find something that you would be willing to add to your plan, and do you experience intense fear/anxiety if you have to get something other that what you had planned for?
  • 388gigi
    388gigi Posts: 485 Member
    I do all of those things and I definitely don't have an eating disorder. I eat more than most people I know.

    A little bit of OCD, sure, but like you that is just my personality. I have a spreadsheet for everything, not just my meal plans and shopping lists and workout routines :-)

    Don't listen to those people, you are doing everything the right way in my opinion. They are probably just jealous that you have your health under control, I bet they don't!
  • louiselebeau
    louiselebeau Posts: 220 Member
    Haters gonna Hate! I wish I could plan as well as you do!
  • clarkeje1
    clarkeje1 Posts: 1,641 Member
    I think your plan sounds reasonable and similar to my own if I were to actually execute it on a consistant basis like I want to lol Let me look up the DSM criteria for an eating disorder. If you had anything it would be anorexia or not otherwise specified because you didn't mention binging or purging.

    -refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for age and height
    -intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even when underweight
    -disturbance in the way in which one's body weight or shape is experienced, undue influence of body weight or shape on self-evaluation, or denial of seriousness of the current low body weight
    -amenorrhea (loss of periods)
  • erinsueburns
    erinsueburns Posts: 865 Member
    In general, people automatically assume that what they do is "normal" so if you are doing otherwise, then it must be "abnormal" and therefore a disorder. That is inaccurate thinking, something has to be negatively impacting health and our lifestyle in order to be classified a disorder. What you are doing is quite the opposite.
  • HollisGrant
    HollisGrant Posts: 2,022 Member
    I can't decide whether people are just trying to hate or if I really do have an eating disorder. I think my behavior is normal for someone watching their diet and eventually it will become second nature to me. I will summarize and let me know what you think!

    Since Jan I've lost 30 lbs at a slow, steady pace. I exercise most days and watch what I eat. I use my food scale religiously and am very meticulous with it. I don't often bring it out to public places but I have once or twice (I wanted to know what I typically eat at Souplantation.) I pre-log most meals and plan a week's worth of shopping and cooking. I am of the mindset that I can eat anything (I had two donuts yesterday) as long as I plan for it and and log it. I do get some satisfaction out of eating my planned meals - it is my personality, make a plan and execute! I am up to about 1650 cals per day and I plan on going up weekly until I reach a maintenance level. I still go out to eat with everyone, just usually look at the menu ahead of time so that I know what to order. I still go to parties and have a good time so my workouts and eating habits have not made me anti-social. I have naturally stopped drinking most alcohol because after being pregnant and breastfeeding for the past three years I kind of lost a taste for it and get a headache almost immediately from drinking. I don't harp on other people for what they eat. I don't limit the food of my kids or husband (though i cook healthier now so they eat healthier as a by-product).

    Anyways, I think these are all normal things but three people from work (they all know each other and talk about this so its not three isolated incidents) have said I have an eating disorder. Am I in denial? What signs should I look for that indicate I have an abnormal relationship with food?

    To heck with those people. Good for you for caring about yourself. Live your life the way you want, be healthy, and be happy.

    Every day I hear that somebody's in the hospital getting checked out for heart blockages because they're overweight, or about to have a bypass for the same reason, or see enormous people waddling across the parking lot into McDonald's to become even more enormous. I've lost about 16 pounds and need to lose another 30 and people tell me I look fine and don't need to lose any more. I'm walking for local errands instead of using my car and my neighbors think I'm crazy. Don't listen to it. Walk, run, work out, watch what you eat, and be happy instead of ending up in a hospital or an early grave.
  • craigmandu
    craigmandu Posts: 976 Member
    Your actions are NOT an eating disorder. You are simply being organized and actually have a plan that you are executing to achieve your weight loss goal.
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    What you describe is not an eating disorder. Eating disorders are conditions defined by abnormal eating habits that may involve either insufficient or excessive food intake to the detriment of an individual's physical and mental health.

    Keep doing what you are doing and enjoy your successes!
  • ldrosophila
    ldrosophila Posts: 7,512 Member
    I'd be interested in the context of these conversations? Why would they use such a serious accuastion as an eating disorder? These people are either very ignorant or concerned about a friend. I wouldnt really take that lightly and I might want an explanation from them how they drew that conclusion.
  • cavia
    cavia Posts: 457 Member
    Yes, you have an eating disorder. It's called dedication and commitment. I have it too.
  • michelle7673
    michelle7673 Posts: 370 Member
    Hmmm...I wonder if the same people would think it was weird and obsessive if you were, say, taking blood sugar readings and insulin shots three times a day. My dad does that. So tracking what you eat is nothing, even before you consider that it's how many people can avoid Door #2...
  • SyntonicGarden
    SyntonicGarden Posts: 944 Member
    Not sure if in five pages of responses anyone's recommended that the OP actually look at the diagnostic criteria for eating disorders.

    The DSM-IV lists the criteria for anorexia, bulemia, and EDNOS. While only a qualified professional should be making actual diagnoses, having a point of reference might be a helpful and might alleviate some stress if you're not hitting any of the marks. A good search on the internet will pull that up. :)
  • NSMustanggirl
    NSMustanggirl Posts: 70 Member
    I would think more that they are looking for excuses to not be more attentive to what they eat? You sound a lot like me- and I in no way, shape or form, have an eating disorder!
  • BernardPumpkin
    BernardPumpkin Posts: 86
    r they overweight themselves? if so its prob jealousy. but it is a bit weird that u would bring ur scale out in public. u should only weigh yourself once a day because when u eat, u are obviously heavier. but good job otherwise :D
  • msliu7911
    msliu7911 Posts: 638 Member
    Wow- everything you have described is like... PERFECT. :) Great job on your slow and steady weight loss so far and your dedication and determination.

    Ignore their comments. Its sad that people surrounding you will always jump to criticize before they compliment, even when its for the better. As many others have said, they're haters. You're going about it perfectly (in my opinion) and I wouldn't change a thing.

    And props for bringing your food scale in public! I've actually wanted to do that before but felt like that was a little too obsessive and didn't want to be judged, so I just continue to "guesstimate".
  • AleciaG724
    AleciaG724 Posts: 705 Member
    I think the eating "disorder" is what's gotten most of here in the first place! You, and many of us here, are just trying to regain control of an out-of-control lifestyle. For some people that means obsessing over all the little details, others take a more laid-back approach. It's irks me that anorexia and bulimia are called eating disorders, but obesity is not and is viewed in a derogatory manner (as in being lazy) ... I feel that it's just a variant of the same mentality - it's a flawed coping mechanism.

    Just my 2 cents-worth...
  • JenRedesigned
    JenRedesigned Posts: 77 Member
    Sounds like a combo of ignorance and/or jealousy on their part. Good luck with your continued success. I'm sure you'll get a plethora of "Haters gonna hate" replies to this as well.

    What he said! Haters Gonna Hate! They're definitely jealous.
  • Buff2022
    Buff2022 Posts: 373 Member
    Besides taking your food scale out in public. I would do exactly what you are doing. I even figured out a whole bag of dorittos (the $1.49) bag. Is 500 calories.

    So nope you don't have an eating disorder. You have a very planned life.
  • Catlady87
    Catlady87 Posts: 302 Member
    I think at the very most someone could call you a little OCD but then again tht would apply to me too!
    Some people are just idiots.
    Carry on doing what you're doing and ignore the haters
  • L257
    L257 Posts: 21 Member
    I don't think you have an eating disorder. Like you, I meal plan and shop for a week, I even make some meals ahead and I pre-log my foods. I'm too busy NOT to meal plan and pre-prepare food! It's to do with time management and organisation, not the food.

    I think they way to tell if it is becoming problematic is.... if you went out spontaeneously and there was no way to skim the menu before you go or google average calorie contents or anything like that... if you ate some food and had no clue what the calorie content was... would you panic? If you would panic then I think that is an over reaction and may indicate a problem. If you would be a little worried or frustrated but just get on with enjoying a good meal out with friends then I think that is normal.
  • paintlisapurple
    paintlisapurple Posts: 982 Member
    Sounds like a combo of ignorance and/or jealousy on their part. Good luck with your continued success. I'm sure you'll get a plethora of "Haters gonna hate" replies to this as well.

    Yep!
  • kimosabe1
    kimosabe1 Posts: 2,467 Member
    they are just jealous! Go into work eating a huge cookie and walk by them and say "oh crap, this has so much fat so I must throw this up later!" :laugh:
  • ItLiesHeavy37
    ItLiesHeavy37 Posts: 3
    No, I can definitely definitely say as someone who has had an eating disorder that you do not have one. It sounds to me like you are doing everything right. You eat a good amount and exercise and you still go out to enjoy meals (you are just being smart about it). Good for you and don't listen to them! You don't have to defend yourself to anyone.
  • celinarae94
    celinarae94 Posts: 131
    If it doesn't consume your everyday life in a negative way and if you aren't downing yourself all the time you don't have an eating disorder. In fact from what I read you are just being very healthy about your eating. Eating disorders are much more complex than planning your meals and making sure you are using portion control.
  • natasa26ca
    natasa26ca Posts: 107 Member
    ^^^^^^^^^^^ Pretty much what EVERYONE has said above. Your friends are jealous and you are doing great.
    Keep it up.
  • spaghetti93
    spaghetti93 Posts: 140 Member
    i'm guessing these comments are probably from people that don't use MFP or don't really pay attention to what you're eating. At one point the planning got a bit obsessive for me- a little too much- but if it's something you enjoy doing go for it. You're clearly not crash dieting or anything and you said yourself you're going at a slow steady pace. I don't let my friends and family notice that I measure my food because I believe they would probably have the same reactions that you are getting from people. Congrats on your success so far.
  • celinarae94
    celinarae94 Posts: 131
    On a side note.... if you have to ask if you have an eating disorder... you more than likely don't have one. No worries. People like to talk.
  • SteelySunshine
    SteelySunshine Posts: 1,092 Member
    Your approach is a bit more structured than my approach. But, I wouldn't say it's an eating disorder. I do measure my food though and that has my SO a bit confused, he was like why are you measuring the oil? Just dump it in the pan. I was like "yikes" not out loud, but seriously how would I know how much oil to log without measuring? Any way he's still more likely to think I am still eating too much rather than too little.
  • fionarama
    fionarama Posts: 788 Member
    its called jealousy.

    same thing happened to a guy at my work, he's lost lots of weight now everyone is "worried" about him and think he's too thin and taken it too far. Funny how they didn't "worry" about him when he was fat and in danger of all sorts of health problems.

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