Counting calories vs. eating disorder
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Teabythesea_ wrote: »HakunaMatata137 wrote: »The line between healthy weight loss/ calorie counting, and an “eating disoeder” is something I’ve always struggled with.
How do you know that what you’re doing is healthy, mindful eating versus an unhealthy obsession with calories and/or excercise?
I’m a firm believer that counting calories can lead into a eating disorder. I got myself out of that obsessive hell hole. All you think about is numbers, it’s just too mind consuming. Everything i eat, i have to log it in? No thanks.it’s not a healthy mindset for me. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it for short term but long life long doesn’t seem practical. I rather learn, and train myself on how to eat moderately with a bit of exercise. Im losing weight just by doing that.
That's great that you found what works for you, but theres no reason to refer to others way of eating as an "obsessive hell hole." If training yourself to eat the appropriate amount of food to meet goals was feasible for everyone this platform wouldn't even exist. For many its just a part of life. It becomes routine like teeth brushing or daily chores, only I probably spend less time in a day logging than doing any of those things.
I called my experience of counting calories an obsessive hell hole. I said what I said, if that’s your view on it then that’s great I’m glad it works for others.7 -
HakunaMatata137 wrote: »How do you know that what you’re doing is healthy, mindful eating versus an unhealthy obsession with calories and/or excercise?
Because my main focus isn't food or exercise for exercise's sake.
My focus is on things like my work, my university degree, my husband's health situation, exercise goals, etc.
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HakunaMatata137 wrote: »My day revolves around “how many calories do I have left”.
BUT, at the same time, isn’t that what you’re supposed to do when you’re on a weight loss journey? They always say “it’s not supposed to be easy.” Right?? I get so many mixed messages.
No!!
When I lost weight, I knew what to eat each day so that I was under my limit. Then I could set "eating" on a backburner and focus on life.
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An eating disorder is when the disorder is in control of you not you in control of the eating or what ever the disorder is. I'm by no means an expert on the matter. Personally I think you should at least have a consultation with an expert and also stop counting calories and relax about food. Try to view food as something to enjoy but not to be abused. Try to get into a regular meal plan through out the day where counting and worrying about calories is totally not nessary0
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Op, I’m sorry you are dealing with this. You deserve better.
I do think it’s become unhealthy for you if you carry food scales to restaurants. Maybe weight watchers point system would work better for you?
Good luck and hugs.0 -
It's less an eating disorder than a marketing disorder. You've believed the advertising which promises that low-cal substitutes for real food are going to solve all your weight problems. Have they?0
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Any dietary restriction comes with the risk of an ED. ""Clean"" diets put you at risk for orthorexia, while CICO puts you at risk for anorexia and binge eating disorder. You and your healthcare team should always weigh the risks with the benefits of weightloss. That said, a lot of those who have problems exacerbated by calorie counting already have some sort of unhealthy relationship with food.0
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gogetemrogue wrote: »Any dietary restriction comes with the risk of an ED. ""Clean"" diets put you at risk for orthorexia, while CICO puts you at risk for anorexia and binge eating disorder. You and your healthcare team should always weigh the risks with the benefits of weightloss. That said, a lot of those who have problems exacerbated by calorie counting already have some sort of unhealthy relationship with food.
I don't think the risks are inherent in the methods themselves. I think the risks of eating disorders are probably more personality/individual based and would likely manifest in one way or an other that might not even necessarily revolve around eating/body issues.
Methods of restriction are just tools. You can use them in either a well-adjusted or an ill adjusted manner just as someone can use a hammer to build a playhouse or smash in a car window in an act of vandalism. The problem isn't the hammer. It's the issues underlying the motivation in the person using it.7 -
gogetemrogue wrote: »Any dietary restriction comes with the risk of an ED. ""Clean"" diets put you at risk for orthorexia, while CICO puts you at risk for anorexia and binge eating disorder. You and your healthcare team should always weigh the risks with the benefits of weightloss. That said, a lot of those who have problems exacerbated by calorie counting already have some sort of unhealthy relationship with food.
Just to be clear, CICO is just an energy equation. It is not synonymous with calorie counting.2 -
GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »gogetemrogue wrote: »Any dietary restriction comes with the risk of an ED. ""Clean"" diets put you at risk for orthorexia, while CICO puts you at risk for anorexia and binge eating disorder. You and your healthcare team should always weigh the risks with the benefits of weightloss. That said, a lot of those who have problems exacerbated by calorie counting already have some sort of unhealthy relationship with food.
I don't think the risks are inherent in the methods themselves. I think the risks of eating disorders are probably more personality/individual based and would likely manifest in one way or an other that might not even necessarily revolve around eating/body issues.
Methods of restriction are just tools. You can use them in either a well-adjusted or an ill adjusted manner just as someone can use a hammer to build a playhouse or smash in a car window in an act of vandalism. The problem isn't the hammer. It's the issues underlying the motivation in the person using it.
QFT.
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HakunaMatata137 wrote: »The line between healthy weight loss/ calorie counting, and an “eating disorder” is something I’ve always struggled with.
How do you know that what you’re doing is healthy, mindful eating versus an unhealthy obsession with calories and/or excercise?
Speaking as a retired mental health professional -- disorders (including eating disorders) are defined operationally: put simply, if they're causing problems in your life, they're disorders. That means they're interfering with your ability to lead a normal, productive, happy life, or they're having a significant impact on finances, your involvement in other behaviors, your physical health, and/or relationships. Checking the stove before you go to bed is not a sign of a mental disorder. Checking the stove a hundred times before going to bed likely is a sign of a mental disorder. Buying a lottery ticket every week is not a sign of a mental disorder. Spending half your salary every week on lottery tickets likely is a sign of a mental disorder.
With regard to calorie counting, exercise and weight loss -- if you are worried about it, you might want to consult with a therapist who is experienced with eating disorders for an evaluation. A professional can give you an objective assessment of your risk.
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