Sometimes lately I've been feeling guilty about what I've eaten even when I'm under calories and it was all healthy food. After dinner I worry about what I've eaten even though I know it's ok and if I feel full I don't feel good about it. I just feel really anxious. Does anybody else feel like this? What can I do?

Oh dear. This is a sticky situation.
You know, everything is rooted in our minds, and it seems as though you have to work on how you view and value yourself. I know that strain, I know that anxious feeling where everything just seems to put more pounds on you no matter how little you eat or how much you exercise. But the truth is, that you have to consider really why you want to lose weight and do it in a healthy manner. It could seem as though there is a huge amount of pressure on you to do this, and I think you should talk to perhaps your parents or someone else close to you about it. Just address the problem, 'cause when the mind meddles, there is always a real, concrete problem.

All the best, Leila!

- Quinn

I agree, it is an emotional and psychological issue. This is one of the reasons we dieters have plans - to give us a framework to behave healthfully when we otherwise would not. Finding a plan you can stick to that doesn't trigger any obsessive issues or moralizing is important, and if this plan is normally the right one for you, then you need to tell yourself the truth, over and over, and not believe the emotions that are trying to override your logic.

Thanks for the advice! I think I do need to talk about it with someone I'm just not sure who, I hate to upset my family and I know they'd just worry as I don't always see them very often. I've been really stressed out about some other things lately and I suppose it's just creeping into all areas of my life. Mostly I've been feeling really good and healthy about my weight loss and I'm totally all about this being for health and not just looks. I'm still eating properly it's just this strange anxiety. It felt a lot better just to write it out here, I'm aware it's irrational.

Also I'm not doing much of a specific plan other than eating healthily and moving more. I don't strictly calorie count as when I did this for a few days just to get an idea of what I had already been eating it started to stress me out. I have a rough idea now though.

Well, for starters - it's good that the top is coming off as you're writing about it here. Venting can always help. As for worrying your family... I get it. What about talking to someone professional? Perhaps you might feel it's taking it a bit too far, but talking to someone with a clear insight (at least some of the time) in how the mind works when stressed out might give you some "tools" in the future as to how to tackle it. OR - the other alternative is to bring it up with a close friend? I have found that sharing something like this with my best friend helps me a great deal, as she is always very keen on getting me back on track (in all aspects of life). Try to find someone to confide in, or just keep venting here :-)

lots of pats on the shoulder from Quinn

I sometimes feel guilty when I feel full too. I think weighing yourself regularly can help assuage that, as if to show your mind "see, these veggies aren't making me fat"

I totally get this feeling!!! I think part of its mental, for me anyways,.. Because when I feel full or like I've had something especially delicious, my mind automatically assumes its bad! I think I'm just so used to that being the case!!!

When that happens I just need to take a step back and look at where I've come!

Are you in school? Most schools have a nurse/nutritionist available to talk to.
If you aren't in school give your doctor a call and ask to meet with a nutritionist, they can do a check of your plan and give you advice on tweaking or reassure you that you are making the best choices.

Track what you are eating and jot down notes when you notice you are feeling bad or anxious about your choices so you can make connections. Try to pinpoint what sets off the episodes of worry.

Also, you are getting very close to goal... do you think some of your anxious is worry about what you will do when you get there? If it's this, the maintainers forum may be able to help you out with some insight on what it will be like.

You are doing so great!

Thanks Quinn! Professional? I can't afford professional.. I have a cat. I find it difficult to open up about my problems to friends, I don't know why. I wasn't always like this but I have this mentality of 'I'm supposed to be ok now, happy etc'. The (kinda) anonymity of this place is great and I know that some people will understand my feelings because we're all on a weight loss journey. Where as if I say something like that to family/friends I might freak them out and then they'll be on my back about this.

haha, yeah it's funny! I weight every day too and that's why. I guess I just associate the feeling of being full with having done something wrong.

Yep, good thinking.. we'll figure it out

Nope, not in school and wouldn't have access to a nutritionist. I'm still eating completely fine, think I'm just stressed. But approaching goal is probably something to do with it, I suppose I'm not seeing much of a change yet. As I said above I think I'm associating feeling full with having binged/done something wrong. Thanks

Also Arctic Mama I'm totally repeating it over and over in my head and I think it's helping

I think you've managed to exactly pinpoint your problem: you are under some stress and that's affecting every aspect of your life, making you feel anxiety and discomfort. Try and plan a day for your relaxation only: a nice bubble bath, some good music, maybe aroma therapy? It sounds cheesy, I know, but it really helps you clear your mind and allows your body to unwind. Food is just that: food. As long as you're eating healthy, there's nothing to be preoccupied about.