getting obsessive

lrk93101
lrk93101 Posts: 37 Member
edited September 22 in Health and Weight Loss
So, I started out over a year ago, 30 lbs heavier, not thinking about what I was putting in my mouth or why, and now I find myself worrying about every bite of everything. I have to enter it in the computer right away, sometimes even while I'm eating. I'm obsessed with carbs and proteins, and find myself reading all different kinds of blogs about nutrition and fitness everyday - a lot of times when I have other things I need to do. I feel like I'm going a little bit crazy. I was thinking about taking a week or two off from food journaling and the computer. Any other suggestions? Thanks

Replies

  • potluck965
    potluck965 Posts: 529 Member
    I kind of do the same thing myself, without all the outside reading, though. I am weighing and measuring my food and myself and journaling everything as soon as I eat, But, I am home all day and check my computer frequently, so this is not really difficult to do.

    However, I think I am doing it because I am so thrilled that this approach has worked. I can't tell you how many decades I have been trying to shed this excess poundage.

    So, I guess if you have to have an obesession or habit, this is a good one to have :)
  • sarahsmom1
    sarahsmom1 Posts: 1,501 Member
    are you at your goal? And yes I do think you should give it a break. Good Luck
  • infiniter
    infiniter Posts: 6
    I got like that and I didn't like it either, and I took a couple weeks off...but then weeks turned into months...and that turned into 5 months where I fell off the wagon! I ended up gaining ten pounds.

    BLAH! Finally I'm back on track though. So maybe just stay obsessive until you reach your goal. Haha.
  • Squash97
    Squash97 Posts: 84
    I was at the same place and took time off from logging all my food for a while. I stopped counting and just tried to make healthy choices and keep exercising. I would take off a week or two just to force your brain to stop focusing on all that. I think it can become distracting and get in the way of your personal life.
  • edorice
    edorice Posts: 4,519 Member
    I am 17 pounds from my first goal. Making this a hobby has helped me lose 56 lbs. Obsessive maybe, but I want to reach my goal. The alternative is an unhappy person that can fit into her clothes. If you think you're being obsessive then try entering calories three times a day instead of immediately after a meal. But you shouldn't stop your journey.
  • DancingYogini
    DancingYogini Posts: 377
    You will find a middle ground! I started that way too, but have found it easier to not think about it as the months have gone by. I love nutrition and cooking anyway, so I was always interested in what we consume, and how it reacts in our body. I almost started a nutrition degree this Fall, but decided I needed to find an alternative/holistic school instead of a traditional one (I am a vegetarian, and really wouldn't feel comfortable advising people to eat meat when I don't eat it my self). So, all that to say...take a few days off, and I bet you can reset your way of thinking. There is nothing wrong with wanting to know exactly what you are putting in your body, but if it is consuming your life, then you need to take a breather!
  • jdesm
    jdesm Posts: 22 Member
    If you have been keeping a food journal for a year than you should have any I'll effects from taking a break. By now you have probably built up a habbit of eating the right amounts of the right things. If you stop keeping track you will probably still be on auto pilot, and you'll make good choices without much thought. I wouldn't go too long without at least checking up on your eating habbits, that way bad ones don't sneak into the routine.

    As far as the blog reading goes some people, including myself, think that reading that kinda stuff helps keep you motivated. It also opens you up to new ideas, and ways of keeping healthy. On the other hand, it is said that any action becomes a problem when it interferes with work, your social life, or good health. Obviously it doesn't fall into the last category, but if you find it is keeping you from completeing tasks at work, or you prefer to read up on exercise/diet blogs rather than hang out with friends or family, then there might be an issue.

    In the end only you know whether or not you're going overboard. You can ask advice from close friends and family, but if you do think it's all too much just take a break. Relax for a while and don't worry about it, then try again when you feel comfortable. If you still enjoy it keep it up, if not then you know what to do.

    Hope that helps :-)
  • MisdemeanorM
    MisdemeanorM Posts: 3,493 Member
    Maybe do the journal off line just to keep track of what you are eating? After a year, you should be pretty good at guesstimating a meals cal count pretty accurately if you just journal what you ate and not the cal content.

    Or, quit logging EVERYTHING (ie, I don't log my condiments if they're less than 2T, but I do round up on other items for them. If I have PB on toast with honey. I just overexag my PB by a little to cover the honey too because I know the honey is only about 25 cals.)
  • deblu
    deblu Posts: 44
    It's fun to me, almost like a game. It's a good obsession just try to not get to crazy about it. Don't give up!

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    Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Nutrition Facts For Foods
  • eillamarie
    eillamarie Posts: 862 Member
    If you've already lost a significant amount of weight (30 pounds or more, or have reached your goal) then give it a break for a week. Still be mindful of what you're putting in your body, but just try giving it a break for a week & see if this anxiety wears down a little. If not, you may have a much bigger problem on your hands & I would strongly suggest going to see a Registered Dietician. They are trained (@ least in Canada) to deal with eating disorders.
  • determined99
    determined99 Posts: 74
    sometimes theres no time work is so busy i end up memorizing every little thing i ate so i can log on when i get time! i'm still having issues with measurements. Im not sure if im logging correct amounts so i always add extras!
  • Bellydance
    Bellydance Posts: 105 Member
    How about just taking one day off. I was feeling like you a bit and then last week I watched what I ate and exercised, but I didn't log in at all. It felt good. And I didn't log yesterday, but when I logged in today I added yesterday just to see where I was (which was over but that's okay). Like a gradual progression to doing this whether I'm near a computer or not. I'm afraid if I take a couple weeks off I will do what someone else said they did and it'll turn months. Take a day here and there.
  • lrk93101
    lrk93101 Posts: 37 Member
    Thanks for all of the great suggestions. I do still have about 20 lbs to lose, so maybe I should just keep doing what's working. Glad to know I'm not alone.
  • lblocker23
    lblocker23 Posts: 18
    Your definitely not alone! My obsession has led to alot of problems with my friends and family...I have a really hard time being social because I am soo worried about what I will put into my mouth if I go out. So just know that there are lots of people here going through the same thing and we all would love to help!!
  • sarahliftsUP
    sarahliftsUP Posts: 752 Member
    I feel obsessive sometimes too.. Like others suggested, take one day off from logging. Or just try logging once a day, you can record everything you eat on a piece of paper but then enter it in all at once at the end of the day.
  • tinasullens
    tinasullens Posts: 203 Member
    Thanks for all of the great suggestions. I do still have about 20 lbs to lose, so maybe I should just keep doing what's working. Glad to know I'm not alone.

    You aren't alone for sure!! However, there is a difference between a healthy obsession and an unhealthy one. The important thing to learn from this is that FOOD IS NOT THE ENEMY!!! Food is fuel for your body. Obsession about carbs and protein is not going to keep you from gaining or losing weight. The obsession in itself can be very stressful and have the opposite effects of which you are looking for.

    Instead of obsessing about it, why not just relax and enjoy it? Go with the flow, if you eat more calories than you should one day, just exercise a little more later in the day or even the following day. One high carb or low protein food is not going to ruin all your accomplishments.

    I seriously think women spend too much time obsessing about their appearance instead of focusing on being HEALTHY. And we are giving our daughters the same "obsessions". It isn't healthy. That's just my 2 cents.
  • edorice
    edorice Posts: 4,519 Member
    Your definitely not alone! My obsession has led to alot of problems with my friends and family...I have a really hard time being social because I am soo worried about what I will put into my mouth if I go out. So just know that there are lots of people here going through the same thing and we all would love to help!!

    It doesn't have to be like that.
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