When does it stop being 'watching what you eat' and become a

There is a fine line. I my hubby says I on MFP too much- he doesn't mind or give me hell over it. Just kind of jests about it. BUT I have weight to loose. MY only question is............. you are eating right? that's the only concern I have. Also I'd like to make a suggestion that if you are so interested in this stuff that you study for 2-3 hours a day, make it with a purpose. Find out how you can become certified in nutrition or something like that. I think its GREAT to educate yoursef.

Hey everyone, there's something that has been bothering me and I wanted to get some opinions...

When does watching what you eat become an obsession? Is there anyway to tell when you have crossed the line from being careful into being obsessed? I ask because I've been having a lot of arguments with a person in my life who thinks that I am too obsessed with counting calories and, for lack of a better word, dieting. I've only recently joined myfitnesspal, but prior to joining I lost 13kgs in about 3 months. Because I lost the weight so quickly there has been a fairly noticable change in how I look and the clothes I wear (I literally bought a whole new wardrobe because nothing I owned fit). This person is forever telling me that I should gain some weight, or at the very least stop trying to lose more. I am towards the bottom end of my healthy weight range, but I want to drop another ten kilos. Technically this would put me in the 'underweight' category, but my frame is quite small so I won't look too thin. This person is telling me that I am unhealthily obsessed and that I need to stop thinking about numbers. Admittedly I am forever thinking about numbers and calories, and today I worked out that I spend an average of two - three hours a day looking up nutritional information and researching diets, bmi's, calories... I love doing it, it's like a hobby for me. Does anyone else do stuff like that? Or am I just a weirdo obsessed with counting calories?

You indicate that you have reduced your weight by 13 kilograms already and you have another 10 to go. What is your current weight, and your height. On your profile page you indicate that you want to attain BMI of 17. If you are already at a "healthy" weight and your body fat is in a good range - and still your behaviors are that of someone who is very focused on becoming "thinner" then there may be a problem. It is, as Jess has indicated, a fine line between being informed and disciplined and being obsessed. Do a realistic evaluation, see a medical professional and/or nutritionist to evaluate where you are and where you need to be to be healthy. Sometimes we become so focused on what is "ideal" that we lose sight of what is "healthy." But honestly, i get the "You have lost enough already. Don't lose any more. etc." too now. But the reality is that my Body Fat is still at 32%, so I still have a ways to go.

Vickie

MY only question is............. you are eating right? that's the only concern I have. Also I'd like to make a suggestion that if you are so interested in this stuff that you study for 2-3 hours a day, make it with a purpose. Find out how you can become certified in nutrition or something like that. I think its GREAT to educate yoursef.

This is excellent advice. Make that time productive!

Sounds like whoever is telling you this is someone who cares about you. And it sounds like you think that person may be right. Have you seen your doctor since the weight loss? Perhaps you should make an appointment and let your friend know you are going. You can ask your doctor what is a healthy weight for you. (emphasis on HEALTHY) Make an agreement with your friend that if the doc says you need to lose more weight, then he/she will stop bugging you. If the doc says you need to stop losing weight and learn to maintain, then agree that you will follow the doc's advice.

Haha, yes, I am eating. This is my argument; I know so much about nutrition and calories now that I know exactly what I am doing when it comes to food. So I am eating a lot less than I was 6 months ago, but so what? I am eating enough, and I know what enough is. The person I argue with has never had a weight problem and so knows nothing about diets and calories etc, because they've never needed to know. I needed to know because I struggled with my weight for years. It is only now that I have it under control. Also, I have thought about doing something constructive with my knowledge, but I love my current career far to much to leave it (I'm a primary school teacher... so at the very least my students will know about good nutrition!! ) Thanks for the advice and the reply

If you are eating, then plug your ears when your friend comes around. People may not be jealous of you weight loss (since they haven't had a problem before ) but jealous of your willpower, dedication and education.

I'm not sure what 13kg is in pounds, but I lost 20 pounds in 12 weeks at an average of a healthy 1.8 pounds per week. I also dropped three full sizes with those 20 pounds.

I was eating plenty. I did it in a healthy way. And it was definitely noticeable.

I think it becomes an obsession when you start restricting your calories to an unhealthy point and exercising beyond exhaustion trying to drop as much weight as possible in a very short period. Or if you start binging and purging (or just purging).

If you're eating healthy, exercising normally and not overly-restricting (fewer than 1,200 calories a day) and you're eating to satisfaction when you're hungry, you're fine.

You pretty much have to track diligently in order to lose at all, so there's nothing wrong with that.

If you are 5' 3" tall or above, you will be clinically underweight, and most likely stop having a period, or your body will not function properly at 17.4 BMI. With exercise and proper diet, you can trim your body to look fit even if you're at 150.

The fact that you're asking makes me think that this other person's claims at least has you thinking. My suggestion would be to talk with your doctor or a nutritionist/dietitian. They can let you know. Remember a low number on the scale doesn't necessarily represent health. This subject is something that is dear to me as I have a friend who starves herself and really doesn't see that she is underweight. When everyone else around her sees how she looks. I'm not saying that's where you are, but I am saying that it's real, it can happen. You're best bet is to get an opinion from a non-biased, honest health professional to examine you physically by taking in consideration all of you, the outward appearance and the inside stuff. Good luck!!!

First and foremost, and other people will back me up on this, people are JEALOUS. Who knows if that's what's up with your friend, but they are, and success in any way will change how people treat you.

You're not obsessed. Obsession means placing an unhealthy amount of importance on things that aren't, and you're not doing that. You're changing how you live. Food is a huge part of how we live our lives, and changing how we use food changes many facets of our lives, many in ways we never foresee at the beginning.

I've also spent hours upon hours researching nutrition, as well as training methods. Just like you said, it's a hobby, and a hobby that can make our lives SO much better!

haters gon' hate.

unless you know KillingAurora in real life, you don't know her motives and heart. you know her by what she puts online.

...your real life friends and family know you better than any of us around here will. yes, we have something in common with you because we have a common goal that maybe your friends and family don't have if they are not concerned about their health.

you not posting a picture of yourself, only a picture of a flower sends a flag up to me. we can't see the real you.

are you eating fruits, vegetables, proteins? are you going for just skinny, or a healthy life that involves a well balanced eating plan and moderate exercise. i understand both extremes. i have been there. my prayer is that you will chose health and not a skinny body.

OMG im on my fitness pal ALL the time, I look up diets and workouts every day. I read calories and nutrition facts on every thing ! Its called caring what goes in the the only body you have. It is shown in a million studies that the less calories you consume througout your life can have a direct impact on how long you live. Ingesting excess calories only stresses you body out and wears it down. Your fine as long as your not starving yourself or barfing it up! do what makes you happy

For those who don't know the conversion, 47kg is 103.4 pounds. That's pretty darned low. Especially when you consider that in order to be that weight and have a BMI of 17 she's got to be between 5'4 and 5'5. I'm 5'5 and I'm aiming for a BMI of about 22, which would put me at a weight of around 130-135.

I think if you're already at a healthy weight and losing more would put in the underweight category, it's time to stop. Yes, friends get jealous and don't really want to see you be successful. But there are friends and a point when jealous friends actually do care about your health and well being. It seems like if you've already lost a lot of weight and are at a healthy weight but are still spending hours a day researching weight loss and constantly thinking about your calories, you're heading into dangerous territory. There are other ways to change the way your body looks. Once you're at a healthy weight you may just need to tone your muscles with a little weight lifting or some exercise like Pilates.

In addition, your mind may not have adjusted to your weight loss yet. Since you've struggled with your weight for some time your perception of yourself is still fairly negative. You see all your flaws and still think you're fat. But in all honesty, you aren't. Give yourself some time to start seeing yourself the way you really are. It's very easy to go overboard with weight loss and to obsess with food. If you're constantly thinking about food in any fashion, it's bad. You should be in the maintenance phase now, not the weight loss phase. You should be able to eat what you want without worrying too much as long as you exercise a little.