Fed up with counting calories! Saying hello to a new chapter in life.

Hey everyone. I've been working on losing 15 pounds for the past six months. I've lost and gained the same two or three pounds over and over again. Yesterday, I had a kind of epiphany I guess. I am sick and tired of losing weight. Sick of counting calories. Sick of feeling guilty about every chip or piece of chocolate. I've tried eating just above my BMR, I've tried eating way above my BMR, I've tried it all! I've had success losing in the past but looking back I realize my methods weren't the healthiest and probably did more harm than good since I gained it all back.

Yesterday I was looking in the mirror and I realized that my body isn't so objectionable after all. Technically, I'm five pounds overweight. So sure, I could probably use to lose those five pounds. But I don't want that to be the focus of my life anymore. Five pounds seems so arbitrary. I could lose that in a week by starving myself - would that really make me healthier?

Starting today, I'm going to make my goal health, something I don't think can be represented by a number. It's a state of mind. Goodbye scale. It's terrible that that number can make or ruin my day. I don't want to be working for the rest of my life to reach some number.

I'm not sure what I intended this post to be about. I think I just needed to share it with some people! I've been on this site for a long time and it's been super helpful, but I think it's time for me to leave calorie counting behind and focus on just being healthy and happy. I want to enjoy food and living and not have to worry about how many calories were in that guacamole I ate last night. It was delicious, I was enjoying it with friends, and that is what I think is most important.

From here on out, I'm going to focus on things that make me feel good. Eating clean, going for walks, just enjoying life. For so long the focus of every day has been "how many calories?" I'm ready to move on and see what will happen if I just live. And I've got to say, I'm excited for what the future holds!

I wish everyone the best of luck with their weight loss efforts. For most of us this can become a life long struggle. I hope just one other person reads this and comes to the same realization I did. Love your bodies, treat them well, and always do what makes you happy!

just my kind of philosophy.

and still, you've got no idea how much I needed that right now. I was sort of easy for quite some time, but am spending more time on CC again - not to count calories, simply to interact with a couple of people. the thing is, since I don't only hang around in my own thread, but surf the forums more than is good for me, I have exposed myself to such an amount of weight/calorie/appearance...obsession recently that I am sort of falling in the same trap again myself. how stupid.

I had it all sussed before - just like you in your post here. thanks for reminding me, sweetie. and all the best with health and happiness.

enjoy!!!

Congratulations on reaching your goal. I admit that I've noticed a disturbing trend among forum posts about the least amount of calories people can eat ("I'm eating 1200 cal/day, exercising like a fiend, and not losing weight"), and I'm just horrified -- starving yourself won't keep the weight off.

You've got the right attitude -- focus on a healthy balanced diet, exercise regularly, enjoy life (and treats!).