Am I obsessed with dieting? Is that really all that bad???

=] :laugh: The weak/lazy call it an obsession, but it’s just plain ol dedication.
My peers/ friends say the same about me ... I guess they really don't know what consistency look like.
! :glasses:

Yip >:( I went on a night out and chose to drive because I couldn't afford to waste so many calories on alcohol at that time. The looks people gave me when my answer to not drinking was that I was loosing weight were hideous so I started saying I had to drive early in the morning and didn't want to get done for drink driving.

In terms of food I have needed to just get rude. No I don't want one.

Dedication and focus has been my mantra as I have achieved my goals. If someone wants to call that obsessive, maybe they should examine their own health and fitness efforts. I call it success! And...a self created lifestyle to be proud of.

People are self-focused. They don't realize you're being offered cookies all day long.

This.

Also, having others join in with their guilty pleasure makes them feel less guilty about indulging themselves.

I think it's about perspective and perception...

You're super focused right now and that's working for you but since it's not your "normal" behavior, it's going to seem odd and maybe even disconcerting to those around you and be perceived as an obsession. Also, if it's all you talk about and you're always on your phone logging or looking up calories/nutrtional info, that might be getting annoying and comes off as obsessive.

On the other hand, similar to what's mentioned above, some folks may be wishing they were as focused and determined as you but as they're not ready to put in the effort, it's easier to make it seem like what you're doing is out of the ordinary and therefore call it an "obsession".

Not knowing you or your friends, it's hard to say but these seem to be the typical reasons.

ETA: When asked if you want a cookie, just say no thanks and if they insist maybe say someting like "I just ate, I'm ok, really, but thanks", rinse repeat. Don't mention that you're counting calories or trying to lose weight

The light is either on or it's off... for me, that is. I think many people are that way. It's either 100% or none. If I can't do something right, I usually just shut down and say screw it, which is a ****ty way to handle a lot of things in life, but one's health is not one of those things, imo...

You're making a big change, and it's probably quite different from the way you used to be. You're somehow not the same "you" that they always loved, so they say you're obsessed with your new life... but you've made a lifestyle change, and you have conviction. They'll get used to it.

You've got your head on straight, OP. You're not saying "I can't eat any cookies ever." You're saying "Cookies are not helping me get closer to my goals, so I will limit my intake of them."

People mistake discipline for obsession to make a point all the time, it just means that your progress and dedication to your program is remarkable enough for them to notice Keep up the good work!

There is a fine line between living a lifestyle that is fitness and nutritionally driven and turning that into an unhealthy obsession. If you feel guilty about missing a workout here and there or feel guilty about eating certain foods, etc you are probably at minimum on the obsession side of things.

Nutrition and fitness are very important, but life is all about balance...these things should be a part of your life...and a big one to boot, but they shouldn't be all consuming. You are not going to be 100% bang on all of the time...you just aren't. You're going to miss workouts...**** happens...sometimes you just don't feel good, sometimes work or other obligations get in the way...sometimes you just need a breather...if you can accept these things as inevitibilities and move on then it's really no biggie and it's not going to be an issue to resume your fitness regimen the next day or week or whatever. People who overly obsess tend to get derailed and defeated by such inevitibilities because they really haven't learned how to have a healthy relationship with their fitness and they're not really seeing the bigger picture that is the whole of their lifestyle...they're stuck in the minutia.

This is what I would say too. Fitness and health is not just for a specific amount of time and if you stop yourself from enjoying special occasions, then it's an issue. My friend is leaving my company this week and you better bet I will be slamming down on some Korean BBQ like its my job. Does that happen often.. nope, so when it does happen, I want to enjoy it. Will I lose this week, probably not, but it's ok because eating with my friend is more important than losing every week. Now do I make better decisions when I go out to dinner with my wife or friends.. absolutely. I try to prelog calories to make sure i hit my needs and fit within my goals. If it's restaurant not in the database, then I aim for stuff like fish/steak and veggies and estimate.

Wait -- you all get offered cookies all day? I must be doing something wrong.... :frown:

Seriously though, I know how you feel -- I travel for work regularly and it's tough sometimes being the only health-conscious person as we determine where to have team dinners. It can be a slippery slope if you don't stick to your health and fitness routine. Dessert one night turns into dessert every night, then dessert with every meal... which is exactly what you're trying not to do. At the end of the day, the only one accountable for your health is you.

If it's an obsession, call me obsessed.

I have it easier, because the people I surround myself with are just as determined as myself, but I really really care about what goes into my body.

I KNOW that whenevr I eat junk food (like last night lol) I feel like poop after. Not only did I put empty calories in my body, but since I'm so accustomed to eating right that it made me feel sick on top of it.

Other people are going to make you feel bead because they dont have the willpower that you do and their jealous.

Haters gunna hate.

Some people need a reality check... every time someone says something that you dont agree with or makes a comment that doesnt sit well with you it doesnt mean they are jealous of your "strength" or they are "hating on you". Use some of that determination and strength to better your self image , you will realize that the world isnt against you.

"You" isnt directed at any one individual, just a general observance.

I think the very nature of being of being on a calorie restricted diet makes people appear a bit sad or obsessive. You have to look at and log the calories in everything you eat, weigh and measure food, say no to foods which are too high in calories etc etc It can appear quite unhealthy to someone who isn't used to dieting.

I'll admit when I first started on mfp, I was trying to stick to 1300, and because I found it so difficult and restrictive it did become somewhat of an obsession. It was all I thought about, I used to feel incredibly guilty if I ever ate over my calories or missed a work out. If I didn't lose weight one week I would feel so depressed and almost give it up all together.

I've increased my calories to 1600 and now I'm a lot more relaxed about the whole thing. I go out every so often and eat and drink what ever I want. I sometimes skip the gym or go over my calories and I don't beat myself up about it because I now look at the bigger picture. It's a lifestyle change, not a diet.

You're always going to get people who won't understand what you are doing or are negative, but it's saying yes to every bit of food you're offered or given that gets a lot of people into this mess. At work I get offered snacks, chocolate, sweets or cakes pretty much on a daily basis, it was saying yes every time that caused me to gain over a stone in less than 6 months after starting my job. If I say no once in a while or only have a small amount and that pisses people off or makes them think I'm obsessed then so be it. I'm not trying to impress people or make them think I'm high and mighty I'm trying to lose weight and be healthier and happier.

I'm totally obsessed with my diet and exercise regime. For me it's an all or nothing situation... I broke my hand last Sunday so as I'm not allowed to workout at the gym I laid on the sofa last week eating cake. This week I went back to work and realised as I cannot drive I had to walk the 90 minute round trip to work... Due to the walking and calorie burn i'm back on it and truly obsessed again. Good for u I think, better to be preoccupied with health rather than food