Hey everyone. I've been on my weight loss journey since September 2011, and since then, I've gone from 189lbs to 142. I have been lifting heavy weights and working on losing fat and building muscle instead of looking to just see the number on the scale go down. I feel pretty good about the way I look right now, and I am not looking to really lose much more weight, <5lbs. But I still find myself really obsessive, or I guess "rigid" with calorie counting, planning meals, knowing what's in my food, etc. I find that I just will not eat things if I don't know what's in them, and it's kind of bothering me that I feel like I still really need to track all my calories. Has anyone experienced loosening up on calorie counting and tracking since reaching "goal?" I guess I'm also a little scared to move into maintenance, I'm currently eating anywhere between 1300-1600 calories a day with one day a week at about 2500. I just feel so tired of of talking about nutrition and calories etc all the time, it's all I find myself thinking about and it just makes me feell....kind of hollow that that's the biggest, most important thing in my life right now. Any advice on how you guys have switched over to a less rigid approach would be greatly appreciated, I really need some support!!! I don't want to feel trapped in my own little world of calories forever...
I would skip the shrink -- they will only tell you have emotional problems and then try to blame your childhood, family members, next door neighbors for your eating issues.
I would read Intuitive Eating. Also, as much as you may not like it, I recommend quitting this board and all other dieting boards as it only keeps up the obsession with food, weight, and calories.
I've been in maintenance for a year now and have definitely eased up on calorie counting. These days I have no more than a ballpark sense of the calories I consume. What keeps me on track is weighing myself every day or two days. If my weight is up, I scale back for the next couple of days. That's the only ironclad rule I have and it doesn't require a lot of mental energy.
F.
Last edited by freelancemomma; 12-11-2012 at 12:26 AM.
For me it never goes away. I'm either binge eating or counting calories. I can't get rid of my calorie-knowledge no matter how hard I try. I just KNOW how many calories are in my yogurt eventhough I haven't used a kitchen scale in months. I don't know what advice to give you but I can understand your struggle, good luck.
I do think about food a lot and still calorie coumt. I don't think I am rigid or obsessive just aware. I know what will happen if I let my guard down and go back to old habits. To me counting calories and thinking of what foods to eat and planning my menus is far less of a problem than it would be if I regain my weight and have to start wearing extra large clothing again.
When I lost before, I was SUPER aware of all my calories. Like you, I choose to avoid if I didn't know how many calories were in something. But I was working so hard, I didn't see anything wrong with it because it kept me on track. As long as it is helping you achieve your goals, I personally don't see it as a bad thing! But I can see where, at one point, you want to get out of that world of ONLY thinking in terms of calories. Which I did! A lot of the healthy habits and calorie counting I did stayed with me, but I became far less focused on it. I was able to enjoy a slice of pie here and there without worrying about the calories. But...I also haven't lost any more, only maintained.
How did I switch? Honestly....I stopped working out as much and so the motivation wasn't as high. I started having a few drinks when I was out with friends (I was only on water before), I had dessert every now and then, etc. Basically, I stopped counting calories because I stopped eating as fantastically. A lot of my good habits had been ingrained in me, so I didn't revert to my old ways but let myself enjoy my new figure AND my life. This may be a slippery slope for many, so be careful if you take this advice!
I personally think it's good to go on super calorie watch every now and then, because I feel myself slipping lately and not worry as much as I should be able the amount I'm eating. I think that's fine when you are maintaining, but now that I'm trying to loose and tone up, I need to get back into it.
Obsession with food/calories ever go away?
