Food Shame and logging

PeaceisLove
PeaceisLove Posts: 55
edited November 13 in Motivation and Support
I had to stop logging my food because I started to feel food shame each time I ended a day. I might not even get to the max calorie count but just seeing any numbers stressed me. I have 20lbs to lose just to be considered overweight and a little evil voice inside my brain says, "If you would just stop eating you would not be so fat". That is just a stupid thought and I know it is ridiculous. I wish I could get past this food shaming, it is not doing anyone any good. The fear that I will not continue to lose weight or even gain back weight is enough to wake me up at night. I have no idea why this has become such a big deal.

Replies

  • knitapeace
    knitapeace Posts: 1,013 Member
    Is your diary public? If yes, maybe taking it private will take some pressure off. If it's already private and all the pressure is coming from yourself, maybe you would benefit from talking to someone in counseling about the inner voices that make you doubt yourself. Because in all honesty, you WILL plateau and you WILL temporarily gain sometimes and if that will derail you, you need to be get yourself prepared. Food isn't your enemy! You have to eat or you'll end up in the hospital. Using your food diary to plan out your day in advance can help you relax and know that YOU are OK and YOU are in control! :)
  • jenglish712
    jenglish712 Posts: 497 Member
    I would seriously consider looking into some midnfulness exercises to work on noticing without judgement. Sounds like you are pretty stuck in judgement of yourself and of foods. I know it sounds counter-intuitive but sometimes you have to accept things to change them. You are doing your best, AND you have to do better.
  • spacelump
    spacelump Posts: 233 Member
    jenglish712 wrote: »
    I would seriously consider looking into some midnfulness exercises to work on noticing without judgement. Sounds like you are pretty stuck in judgement of yourself and of foods. I know it sounds counter-intuitive but sometimes you have to accept things to change them. You are doing your best, AND you have to do better.

    This is incredible advice! We are all susceptible to feelings of shame and disappointment when looking at the facts. It's hard to not personalize those thoughts when they are directly related to your body, to you.

    I've been struggling with similar thoughts, but am trying to look at it from a logical point of view (I'm a very hard on myself person, so this isn't easy).

    What was quoted above is exactly the approach I'm applying. Look at it logically, do the math, be honest with how you can improve and above all, fu&%ing congratulate yourself on doing what you are already. I know it's an emotional journey and that we all let ourselves down from time to time, but a point will come where your determination must overcome. Who are you going to let win? Your inner critic or your inner boss?



  • Lizzy622
    Lizzy622 Posts: 3,705 Member
    You could also prelog your food at the beginning of the day instead. You can concentrate on getting the right nutrition and eating enough calories. Not eating enough or the right balance can mess with your hormones and make weight loss difficult. Having a plan can take some of the stress off.
  • PeaceisLove
    PeaceisLove Posts: 55
    All these are great tips! I think I am going to pre log all my food and make sure I consume exactly what I intend to eat. No guilt because health is more important that skinny. I am also starting a second round of a weight loss challenge with a friend. Last session I got crazy with it and ended up losing 8% of my body fat 13lbs in 4 weeks. This round we have a rule that any loss more than two pounds a week calls for a penalty. I think I will be less obsessed with everything knowing that too much is too much.
  • PeaceisLove
    PeaceisLove Posts: 55
    knitapeace wrote: »
    Is your diary public? If yes, maybe taking it private will take some pressure off. If it's already private and all the pressure is coming from yourself, maybe you would benefit from talking to someone in counseling about the inner voices that make you doubt yourself. Because in all honesty, you WILL plateau and you WILL temporarily gain sometimes and if that will derail you, you need to be get yourself prepared. Food isn't your enemy! You have to eat or you'll end up in the hospital. Using your food diary to plan out your day in advance can help you relax and know that YOU are OK and YOU are in control! :)

    My diary is public and having others see it is not the issue. It is all about how I think about myself. My diet is quite healthy except the occasional GF pizza.

  • PeaceisLove
    PeaceisLove Posts: 55
    jenglish712 wrote: »
    I would seriously consider looking into some midnfulness exercises to work on noticing without judgement. Sounds like you are pretty stuck in judgement of yourself and of foods. I know it sounds counter-intuitive but sometimes you have to accept things to change them. You are doing your best, AND you have to do better.

    Do you have an example of a mindfulness exercise?

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