i have been counting calories everyday and found it helps me to keep track but my eating disorder specialist warned me not to. He thinks it will turn me into diet mode and won't work for me but I don't know any other way. The idea of relaxing around food terrifies me completely as I feel I need control around it. I tried this before but it makes me a bit anxious and, in my head, I run through what I ate all the time if I don't write it down. He wants me to lead a normal life, without these dieting rules I set myself but I find it so difficult to relax. I can only eat tiny portions so I have 6 or 8 meals a day and I worry if I stop counting I might eat too much as it may be like grazing, wheras if I write down all 6 meals, I'm confident it's not grazing as it only adds up to 600 and I eat proper food; just half the amount every hour or two.

He told me "I don't want to scare you but don't count calories anymore." I am lost with this.

I dont count calories or carbs for the same reason. It triggers the most amazing dysfunctional process around food. Its hard. Sometimes I have to actively fight the urge to "diet". I am a very slow looser too and that doesnt help because I panick that it wont all come off or I want to speed up the process.

Your specialist is right though..... we have to be "normal" around food or we will always have these issues. One of the ways I combat the anxiety is that, although I never count, I am very careful about WHAT I eat. I eat only foods that I know wont put weight on me. For me this is whole foods.... nothing processed. I make all my own Soups using lots of high Protein Beans such as pinto or black beans. I dont eat potatoes or bread or other starches that break down quickly. My sister calls it "eating close to the earth" If its been alterd by humans I avoid it. You may find a different plan.... there are options out there that dont require counting things.... South beach for instance. I just like eating 100% whole foods and its working, although slowly.

I still have a little anxiety around food and eating as much as I want.... but if I know its wholsome and will nourish me (no empty calories) I feel better about it.

I dont know if this helps... but it does get better.

hang in there

stacey

I would be lost as well. Because not counting calories, carbs, intake in general got me fat, and kept me fat.

I didn't want to be in diet mode forever either, and now that I'm in maintenance I do not track food anymore.

I'm not sure how I would have managed through the losing stage without tracking. Especially if you're already counting in your head, and tracking mentally, it seems that you're going to be obsessive about it even if you aren't technically "logging your calories". I became obsessive about tracking, I input every lick, swipe, swallow, it didn't matter how little, 1oz of fruit juice got logged, and I adjusted my day to accommodate those calories.

I have to count calories, carbs, and fats at my losing stage to stay focus. That's me. It's working for me. Once I get to maintence that's a different story. I totally agree with Tiffykins.

Good luck

Deb

I have to count calories, carbs, etc, as well. It has acutally helped me understand how I became so big. Carbs are hidden in foods everywhere. Counting everything keeps me accountable to myself.

I totally agree with that. I told him I'm only doing this until I reach maintenance mode because I want to be accountable for what I'm eating. Sometimes I track to even make sure I have enough, because left to my own devices I can go through the day with 300 calories and at 2 months out that's not healthy.

Also if I experience a stall, it's good to look back at my calorie intake and be aware of what adjustments I can make. Of course I want a healthy and normal relationship with food but equally I want to maximize weight loss at the stage where losing is easier.

I don't track carbs as I always am careful around them and rarely ever go over 50 and am mostly 30 or under, and my Protein intake is pretty good.

My parents think I'm getting obsessed with the type of food on my 'won't eat' list. I will start eating chips and pizza but not right now...I think I need a bit of time to adjust and get the most from my food as there is so little going in.

I had a piece of brown whole grain toast tonight before bed, which is unusual for me, but I had this horrible emptiness. I was sick earlier with my salmon, even though I ate a tiny portion. So I think my body was craving the bread because it can settle a sick tummy. I think in certain circumstances it is good to listen to what the body needs. I find if I run very low on carbs for a few days, I yearn them so I eat a carb that is healthy and non triggering- if that makes sense?

I would be lost as well. Because not counting calories, carbs, intake in general got me fat, and kept me fat.

I didn't want to be in diet mode forever either, and now that I'm in maintenance I do not track food anymore.

I'm not sure how I would have managed through the losing stage without tracking. Especially if you're already counting in your head, and tracking mentally, it seems that you're going to be obsessive about it even if you aren't technically "logging your calories". I became obsessive about tracking, I input every lick, swipe, swallow, it didn't matter how little, 1oz of fruit juice got logged, and I adjusted my day to accommodate those calories.

I totally agree with that. I told him I'm only doing this until I reach maintenance mode because I want to be accountable for what I'm eating. Sometimes I track to even make sure I have enough, because left to my own devices I can go through the day with 300 calories and at 2 months out that's not healthy.

Also if I experience a stall, it's good to look back at my calorie intake and be aware of what adjustments I can make. Of course I want a healthy and normal relationship with food but equally I want to maximize weight loss at the stage where losing is easier.

I don't track carbs as I always am careful around them and rarely ever go over 50 and am mostly 30 or under, and my Protein intake is pretty good.

My parents think I'm getting obsessed with the type of food on my 'won't eat' list. I will start eating chips and pizza but not right now...I think I need a bit of time to adjust and get the most from my food as there is so little going in.

I had a piece of brown whole grain toast tonight before bed, which is unusual for me, but I had this horrible emptiness. I was sick earlier with my salmon, even though I ate a tiny portion. So I think my body was craving the bread because it can settle a sick tummy. I think in certain circumstances it is good to listen to what the body needs. I find if I run very low on carbs for a few days, I yearn them so I eat a carb that is healthy and non triggering- if that makes sense?

It makes perfect sense. And, I am the same way about not eating. I can go an entire day without food and never feel hungry. I get cranky and moody, but not hungry.

It's taken a lot of work for me to "let go", and really focus on "best food options", and to live a life of moderation.

Best wishes, and when you need support, shoulder to lean on, we're here for ya too ! ! !

I was told not to count calories either but I did, until about a month ago, and I stopped losing, so I need to start counting again ASAP if I want to reach my target weight

Yep, that makes sense too. I think when we have lived with bad habits for years, if we aren't tracking, we can begin to add more in, with little bits here and there. I know if I won't write down calories, I can take sips of this and bites of that, without registering it and underestimating my intake but when its in black and white in front of you, you have no where to hide it!

It makes me feel accountable for my day and I think during the losing stage, it can be very helpful. There are those who can eat and not track and lose weight but I'm not one of those people. With the tiny portions I eat right now, I can't sit down to a full lunch and have to break meals into 6 and sometimes add a Protein shake to take me to 800 calories if I exercised a lot that day. But ask me to remember what I ate yesterday, without writing it out and I will forget.

I was told not to count calories either but I did, until about a month ago, and I stopped losing, so I need to start counting again ASAP if I want to reach my target weight

I was told not to count calories as well. I use an iPhone app to log my food and It does the calories for me. I more use it to be sure I get enough protein in. But I have to say, I always seem to eat between 800 and 900 calories a day per average. Journaling is the most imporant thing you can do to keep on track. Studies show it!