Can't seem to stop

Hey everyone, thanks for opening.

So I've been calorie counting.com for about 3 months now, and lost about 25 pounds- thing is I wasn't overweight to start with, I'm 5' 5", age 17 and started at about 145 pounds, my goal 123 just to feel more confident about my body.

Now I'm at 119 and even though I'm happy with my results I'm terrified about maintaining and gaining weight, I still log every tiny food item and can't seem to wean myself off calorie count.

I don't know what to do, my family and friends are worried about me, I know I don't have an eating disorder, I eat approx 1400-1600 cal a day, mostly without official exercise so I can't bring myself to eat anymore, how is it possible to  happily maintain and not live in fear of waking up with your old body and old habits? sorry this is so long, any suggestions would be great

I use Calorie Count to maintain my weight. It's a great way to figure out how many calories you need for maintenance. If you find you are still losing weight below your goal, gradually add to your intake until your weight stabilizes. If you are eating a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight, there is no reason to "wean" yourself from this website, (unless you are spending all your free time posting).

As long as your calories consumed equals the amount you burn everyday then you should be maintaining your weight.  Watching the calories your eat is never a bad thing as long as you eat enough to be healthy.  I am 5'5" and want to be 135 i think any thinner then that and i would feel too thin but everyone is different just so long as you stay in the healthy range.  If you can't bring yourself to eat more food try more calories.  Instead of the fat free milk go for the 1% or even 2% or light sour cream instead of fat free.  Don't always look for the lowest calorie foods anymore but by still counting you know you are not adding so much that you gain.

It's not the amount of food you eat or whether you're a healthy weight that determines whether your eating habits are normal.  It's also your state of mind.   Being 'terrified about maintaining and gaining weight', logging every little scrap, being unable to relax with food and being unable to stop calorie-counting sounds as though you're getting into 'obsessive' territory.  Food obsession is one symptom of disordered eating and if you feel that it's impacting negatively on your life, then it's a problem.   You say you lost weight to gain confidence and that you're 'happy' but you don't sound happy at all.

1400-1600 cals a day is undereating and you're likely to carry on losing weight at that level.   Since your BMI is already well below 20 losing more weight wouldn't be advisable.  1800-2000 would be more appropriate for someone your age and size.   You should listen to your family and friends and talk to each other about your concerns.  If necessary, see your doctor.

Hey I don't think what you're going through is a problem. You're 17, you're young and most likely going through a phase. A fitness health-type phase. I remember going through that phase from the ages of 15-17 and I lost a lot of weight and was very happy and healthy, and pretty obsessive about it. Mind you that was 10 years ago and there was no website to log stuff on as far as I know.

Anyway, about the age of 18 I got over that phase and gained it all back and then some. And though since then I've lost most of it again, it just doesn't seem as easy as it was in my teens and I wish I had logs of what I did back then to go by, and wish I had the zeal that I had then!

My point is, try not to worry. The obsession stage will very likely pass. But when it does - oh when it does, don't forget what you learned and accomplished.

Take care Clair! :D

Oh also - exercising would be good for you, mind and body.

thanks everybody, I think I've finally found a nice balance now

good luck to everyone!