I'm taking a break...but not completely

Renae_Nae
Renae_Nae Posts: 935 Member
edited September 19 in Health and Weight Loss
When I first started this I was OBSESSED with counting calories. To the point it made me more hungry and hating it more and more. This last week I took off and ate everything because I binged out of guilt (guilt of not going to the gym, counting, etc). I think to the break chain I'm going to try for the next two weeks to not "count" but just "watch" my intake (if that makes any sense). Hopefully this will help the binges when I "go over a few calories" from turning into a night of feasting.

In the last month of being here I've realizes how few calories I've actually been burning with working out, and how many calories some foods actually have. I'm hoping with this knowledge I can work to stay on my goals without the obsession of counting.

If in two weeks I haven't changed, or I've gained...I'll go back to counting. But I figure I can't rely on this website or the food diary for the rest of my life and I really don't have that much to lose.

This will also allow me to enjoy the board more instead of spending so much time making sure my numbers are right :laugh:

Replies

  • Renae_Nae
    Renae_Nae Posts: 935 Member
    When I first started this I was OBSESSED with counting calories. To the point it made me more hungry and hating it more and more. This last week I took off and ate everything because I binged out of guilt (guilt of not going to the gym, counting, etc). I think to the break chain I'm going to try for the next two weeks to not "count" but just "watch" my intake (if that makes any sense). Hopefully this will help the binges when I "go over a few calories" from turning into a night of feasting.

    In the last month of being here I've realizes how few calories I've actually been burning with working out, and how many calories some foods actually have. I'm hoping with this knowledge I can work to stay on my goals without the obsession of counting.

    If in two weeks I haven't changed, or I've gained...I'll go back to counting. But I figure I can't rely on this website or the food diary for the rest of my life and I really don't have that much to lose.

    This will also allow me to enjoy the board more instead of spending so much time making sure my numbers are right :laugh:
  • Fab140
    Fab140 Posts: 1,976 Member
    I understand where you're coming from!!!

    When I started here a year ago (and a few pounds lighter:noway: ) I became OBSESSED with it all and was thinking about food far too often! Any time I went over for any reason, I was miserable. And then it was ok to keep going over. Which is why I'm heavier now than I was when I began!

    This counting of calories really isn't something I can do day in and day out. I prefer to make healthy choices and workout and allow the weight to come off in that way.

    :flowerforyou: Best of luck to us both in our "countless" journey!:drinker:
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,409 Member
    Sorry to hear the numbers are beating you up. I know that feeling. It isn't really an absolute science, so those of us who like black /white thinking have trouble with the "absolutes". That's why there are so many differing opinions and gadgets (HRMs, pedometers, fat measuring devices, etc etc etc.) and why there is such a huge industry of "Weight Loss".

    This thread is helpful to me when I obsess:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/8141-fuzzy-logic?hl=fuzzy+logic#posts-57283

    It is helpful to get away from the calorie counting and exercise numbers, too.
    I don't log my foods religiously. I stopped beating myself up for the binge eating, and missing trips to the gym. Life intervenes sometimes. I can always make up for my overeating by exercise.

    When I become perfect, I'll let you guys know how I did it :laugh:
  • Fab140
    Fab140 Posts: 1,976 Member
    Posts like that make me really miss Banks. He was the logic in all of our fuzziness.....without being mean or talking down.

    :ohwell:
  • jen_huff
    jen_huff Posts: 11
    I don't like counting calories either but I had been doing the "just watching what I ate thing" for awhile before starting this and I wasn't doing as good as I thought I was! I think counting has been keeping me on track. I think if you just want to manage your weight the "keeping track" thing is good but not if you want to lose any.

    The biggest thing is to not be negative. Your going to over eat sometimes and you can't beat yourself up for it. Sometimes you want some french fries and it's ok! Just don't eat 5 lbs of them! :tongue: My biggest fear is not losing anything and trying so hard you know? I'm scared to weigh myself! Hopefully all works out for you. Good luck!
  • ChubbyBunny
    ChubbyBunny Posts: 3,523 Member
    Don't go too far....cause we'll miss talkin to you.

    I obsessed horribly in the summer, and I've only got a 6lb loss to show for it! However, this journey is so much bigger then the numbers sometimes. I have had to learn to monitor myself without sucking the fun out of life. I try not to splurge too much (minus the Reeses episode) but I don't have "no-no" foods, I avoid stuff cause I know it's not healthy now. I try not to freak out too bad when I go over my calories, I don't ADD more workouts to cover my butt. Missing workouts has been the hardest on me, it's my venting opportunity. I have had to learn to ease up there as well.... Now, I try to use MFP as a resource to keep within a calorie range without obsessing (aka...proteins, carbs, etc)

    You will figure out the right balance for you. :wink:
  • Jackie_W
    Jackie_W Posts: 1,676 Member
    WOW 're brave!
    I don't think I could NOT count for fear of losing the plot and piling on the pounds, but I wish you every success :flowerforyou:
  • Anna_Banana
    Anna_Banana Posts: 2,939 Member
    I did that and actually ended up losing. I wasn't able to get on the computer everyday, so I took a few months off and I think it did wonders for getting re-jump started.
  • Fitness_Chick
    Fitness_Chick Posts: 6,648 Member
    I did that and actually ended up losing. I wasn't able to get on the computer everyday, so I took a few months off and I think it did wonders for getting re-jump started.

    Yea I think one can get obsessed and it defeats our goal

    The majority of my weigh lost was not counting cals....just changing up what I ate...I have no clue how much I lost here on MFP..guess I should figure it out...40 lbs or so since I joined I think?

    I was major obsessed about MFP the first 3-4 weeks or so and then had to pull back...it was taking over my life...I was late to everything.. lol

    SO now I feel much more balanced So I do understand you wanting to see how you do on your own for a bit... all the best to you...peep in now and again:drinker:
  • Renae_Nae
    Renae_Nae Posts: 935 Member
    See that's the best part...it means more time on the board :laugh:
  • Lauren882
    Lauren882 Posts: 102
    I'm SO glad someone actually put this into words, that's what happened to me for about 3 weeks. I'm not sure where it came from but it's the SAME thing.
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