Writing it down, minus the calculator?
 

More often than ever I have been having a hard time with over eating and binging. In the last 3 months my binges were as bad as 3 times a week, and the best was just recently at clearing 3 weeks binge-free before my 'episode' yesterday. A couple years ago I lost a good amount of weight calorie counting (I gained it all back in the last year by somehow developing an emotional eating disorder). I don't want to calorie count again, because I remember how unpleasant it made me to be around. I don't like the feeling of being so obsessed with food, I want a normal relationship.
So, I was wondering if just writing down what you eat has helped anyone? Keep track of what you're eating without obsessing about the numbers. I figured since I have a good idea how many calories are in what, I can just look at my daily intake and know where I need to improve, etc.

I really want to be comfortable in my own skin. :(

PS. I'm leaving for bootcamp in a few months where I know my ED is going to get nixed. But I want to go there feeling strong and confident! I know I can feel that way, I just need to get my head straight. stat!

Hello Tater!

You are proposing doing exactly what I am currently doing, recording what you eat without actually counting. I have so far lost around 15 lbs doing that. I plan to start actually counting eventually but for right now I am focused on just paying attention and recording every morsel that goes into my mouth. I am afraid to start rigidly counting specifically BECAUSE I don't want to be obsessed with the exact numbers when I am just starting out. I am afraid that if I obsess over the numbers it could lead to unhealthy habits (under-eating to make count) or huge binges (over eating when I haven't had something cause it wastes to many calories) when I can't have something I want.

The reason I think you will be fine with this (at least for a while) is because even though neither of are specifically counting, we DO see where and when we over eat. If you have an idea of how much you are eating, in general, that gives you a place to start and where you might need to cut back without the stress of going "over" on calories. I am not saying we won't have to start counting eventually but to begin just writing it down is a great step.

I think so long as you have a general idea of how many calories you should eat a day (and have a general idea of calories in your common meals) and watch your potions you should be fine!

We can work this method together!