Over Dieting and Dieting OCD
Is there such a thing as over dieting? Feeling guilty for eating even the slightest of foods? Not eating at all?
Well, I’ve been feeling really guilty after eating just about anything. It’s almost like I want to not eat. I know better than that, I’m just talking out loud. Watch the video so that you see what I mean about the mental insanity that ensues when I eat without being hungry. I feel as though I am over dieting.
I eat because I know I need to eat, not because I am hungry. I’ve been eating great the past few weeks and it’s been leaving me with no cravings and no hunger at all. I’ve been digesting fruits, veggies, lean meats, and tons of water. That’s about it in a nutshell.
Let me know your thoughts! Please. Am I alone on this dieting overdose?
You’re not alone mate, I seem to be doing really well lately at eating small portions of fairly healthy food (without getting hardcore about it – too much in my life to keep detailed track of as it is), and feeling quite good about eating, well, not much at all.
It doesn’t seem to be affecting my ability to jog/run, so all in all, I think it’s fine. I’m probably staying under 1200-1300 calories a day, at my guess.
Van, I don’t write down what I eat but I know that I stay near or below 2K, more around 1500 calories a day for now.
Hey Israel,
You are not alone… I do this sometimes when I “forget” or sleep through a meal. I initially am happy because there went 500 calories I just missed… then I have a choice to make – to eat and keep my routine or not eat and risk being ravenous later.
Most of the time I skipped a meal – I would make up for it later and be off of my diet for a while. Intellectually I know this but I still have to convince myself to eat if I miss.
My advice is to just plan out what you want to do and why and then just do it with out the mental aerobics (although there might be some calories burned there too) 🙂
Easier said than done John. lol.
I’ve often wondered the same thing. Good to know I’m not alone. I often find my mind obsessed with thoughts of why did you have that?! even thought it was a healthy choice! I find it hard to eat my 5th meal of the day, I’m never hungry then and I literally have to force food in me.
Perhaps with myself, its an issue with I never feel like I’m doing enough (even though I’ve lost over 120lbs). I often have to talk myself out of over obsessing about healthy food eaten or wanting to go to the gym multiple times a day. I’m trying to avoid the creation of another “eating disorder”. Amazing how easily I can see myself going from a binge eater to something completely opposite.
I feel the same about exercise multiple times in a day. There comes a point when we need to just STOP.
You are definitely not alone in this struggle. I tend to drive myself crazy as well, wondering if I should be eating or if i am eating, why am i eating? It’s the constant battle between your mind, your stomach, and your eyes. It is important to keep a balanced diet, eating 3-5 small meals a day. Although your meals may be planned at a certain time each day, and you are eating but not hungry- this is to keep you from overeating later on. Big breakfast is key- it keeps your energy, sugar, and blood levels high throughout the day and keeps you full to lunchtime, allowing lunch to be a small salad or sandwich- nothing too extreme.
I hope this helps and am happy to hear you are doing so great! Don’t let your mind drive you crazy!
You are not alone in your struggle. I agree – its either one extreme or the other. Either one is starving themselves or you find yourself overeating. Don’t worry, i don’t believe overdieting has been an issue, there is nothing wrong with keeping yourself on a consistent and balanced diet. It does get hard sometimes to balance your mind and body together, but you are doing a great job so far! Wish you the best of luck on your future endeavors.
We’ve all been there. It’s a fact of dieting I guess.
Yeah, I agree with pretty much everyone. I’ve been obsessing with both dieting and exercising. I feel guilty if I miss one of my three walks, just as I feel guilty about a bit too much. Compared to what I used to eat, it’s nothing, but compared to what I eat now, it still makes me feel guilty.
I think part of it is worrying that it will cause me to fall off the wagon. Also, it’s part of being obsessed with food. Before I was obsessed with feeling full and eating lots of different stuff. Now I still have a food obsession, but I’m obsessed with the opposite– calorie count, what am I putting in my mouth, am I spreading my meals out enough?
This obsession is obviously healthier and I am losing weight, but I look forward to the day where food is just food and I eat just the right amount without obsessing in either direction.
Great blog, btw. I’ve recently been keeping track of my adventures as well– http://scurds.com
I haven’t gone on a diet in three years because of Obsessive Compulsive Dieting.
The whole thing pisses me off.
You are trying to lose fat by eating healthier, but because you are told to prepare 5-6 meals/snacks a day, all you’re thinking about is food.
“What do I eat next?”
“What do I have prepared?”
“When is my next meal?”
“Am I eating too many carbs/fats/protein?”
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH… Enough already.
This dude Brad Pilon at http://www.EatStopEat.com talks about this subject a lot.
A lot of good free info through his blog and newsletter.
This is not an endorsement. I am neither for nor against what he has to say. I am just saying (for myself) that I found his perspective informative and refreshing.
Cameron
Here are a couple encouraging thoughts:
10% of your meals can be cheat meals! I have 42 meals per week (6 small meals split up throughout the day), which means I *could* have 4 cheat meals if I wanted.
Dr. John Berardi often writes that studies have shown that 90% compliance to a diet will yield almost no noticeable difference from 100% compliance with a diet.
Also, in your video you mention eating and extra chicken breast. Healthy food is not the enemy bro ;). If you are going to eat a little extra of *something* it should definitely be meat.
It takes more calories to digest and redistribute the nourishment within meat than any other macronutrient. Also, your body actually has the most uses for protein, more than any other macronutrient. This is why many successful diets often have lots of meat — you burn cals in the process, and your body will repackage it more effectively. Also, your body tries to resist using protein as energy, as it is less efficient. This is actually good news as it means your body will be less likely to convert protein to fat!
Of course, in abundance, any macronutrient can tip the scales the wrong way — however, I have seen guys get incredibly lean on protein/fat diets.
Basically, to sum everything up here — don’t worry about a little extra chicken bro ;). Especially if you are on the path to your goals!
yes you can over diet. there are just a few unhealthy things to avoid and the rest is not that big a struggle. don’t drink soda. there is no minimum daily requirement for refined sugar so reduce the sweets. Eat all the veggies you want.
Dude, I use to feel the same way all of the time! I still do sometimes but I embrace it. I prefer to be concerned about eating the right things that to just shove crap in my mouth like I use to. While I understand your dilemma as long as your not beating yourself up to bad about your food choices you should be fine.
P.S.
Is,
You got to start writing down what your eating and drinking. I’m telling you, you would be surprised how many calories we consume in a day.
Freddy, I know what I eat everyday and how many calories. I just don’t write them down because as much as I am into my health, fitness, and wellness I want to have some semblance of a normal life without being consumed entirely by my health concerns. Writing down every little detail will take time away from other things I think.
It’s hard to stay committed, but as long as you are eating healthy over 60 to 70% of the time, you should stay in good shape.
Sometimes you need a bit more discipline in the beginning.
Hey Israel,
You are not alone… I do this sometimes when I “forget” or sleep through a meal. I initially am happy because there went 500 calories I just missed… then I have a choice to make – to eat and keep my routine or not eat and risk being ravenous later.
Most of the time I skipped a meal – I would make up for it later and be off of my diet for a while. Intellectually I know this but I still have to convince myself to eat if I miss.
My advice is to just plan out what you want to do and why and then just do it with out the mental aerobics (although there might be some calories burned there too)