Posts by lin43

It's funny:  I used to have that same mindset as you seem to have, i.e., calorie counting is too tedious to do for life. I realized one day, though, that I only thought that because I had heard it so many times. In practice, though, calorie counting is not really a hassle, especially now with smartphone apps.  It only takes me probably five minutes (tops) a day to enter my calories.

For me, the reason I got fat is that I am not a good estimator of my food intake.  Oftentimes, when I estimate, I tend to be overly strict (in which case, I eventually rebel) or overly generous with my portions.  I cannot seem to find a happy medium, but counting calories solves that problem. I like it because I can eat a generous number of daily calories (2200) and I definitely want to get every calorie I'm "owed"--LOL!

So, for me, continuing to count calories has many more benefits than drawbacks. I've been doing it for almost two years now and don't plan to stop.

I agree with the previous posters:  The main difference between "naturally" thin people and people like me who have to work at it is a difference in mentality. Naturally thin people don't want food as much as I do.  I actually think about food. Take today for example. I would estimate that at least 3-4 times today I've thought about this really good bagel place that I'd like to go to tomorrow morning if I have the calories to spare. I mean, what "normal" person does that?

My husband is naturally thin, and he's that way because he doesn't think about food. He eats at mealtime--but usually only breakfast & dinner because he isn't a lunch person. When I ask him how it is that he isn't hungry for lunch, he says, "Hunger is just a feeling" and shrugs.  He told me that if someone made him a sandwich and put it in front of him at lunchtime, he would eat it, but he won't go out of his way to prepare lunch for himself.  I wish I could be that nonchalant about it.  I will not only go out of my way, but I've been known to drive an hour or more just for something I'm craving.

I don't like any physical feature that indicates to me that the guy is overly concerned with his appearance. I know that this isn't always the case, but I think of someone who has 6-pack abs as someone who has spent a lot of time getting them.  Vanity in a man is a MAJOR turn-off to me. I realize that my position is somewhat hypocritcal since I spend time in the gym, but there you have it. I think of my husband:  He has been blessed with a good build--muscular chest, good muscle tone in his arms, etc., and he NEVER works out. He just does a lot of yard work and doesn't snack (not because he's dieting; he just doesn't like to snack). There's something attractive about that to me.

If I were single, I would rather date someone who is a bit on the chubby side than someone who has six-pack abs and/or is otherwise ripped.  But, really, most of it comes down to personality. I can overlook a lot of what some might consider physical "flaws" if the guy has an appealing way about him.

If you feel good and you look good, who cares what the BMI charts say or the scale says? Why must we all conform to some set weight? In our society, it seems like everyone has to be super slim.  Although I did have a goal weight as I was losing, it was based on what I knew I looked pretty good at in the past. Never once did I bother looking at those BMI charts because from past experience, I realized that I look sickly and bone-thin (I mean, bones-showing-through-my-chest thin) even in the middle of my supposed "normal" BMI range.

I think if you do "buckle down" as some here have advised, maintaining a healthy weight will become a chore and you may give up. I love your healthy attitude as you've expressed it here, and losing more weight is not worth potentially losing that healthy attitude.

One thing I've learned is that I cannot rely on my feelings (including willpower, motivation, interest, etc.) if I want to maintain my weight (I've lost all I want to and am now maintaining). Instead, I have to do just like the Nike commercial says:  "Just do it!"  Even when I don't feel like exercising, I go into "robot" mode and get dressed, put on my sneakers, etc.  I also visualize myself finishing, and I realize that as far as feelings go, I'll have nothing but good feelings after exercising whereas if I don't, I'll feel guilt. 

I cycle my calories, so I regularly have low days and high days. If I go above my planned calories for the day, I just readjust my calories for the rest of the week.

There are only a couple of legitimate reasons available:

1) You have some sort of medical problem as yet unknown to you. You could see a doctor to have your thyroid checked.

2) You're way underestimating your calorie intake.  I don't know whether you weigh or measure your food, but if you do and you're SURE you're only eating 2,000 calories a day, then refer to #1 above.

The fact is that as young as you are, you will still be in maintenance range even with a 4000-calorie eating day if you ate 1400-1500 on the other days.  It would be ridiculous for you to weigh yourself the day after a 4000-calorie day. Wait a few days and weigh youself,and I'll bet you won't see a gain at all (and if you do, it is water weight or food still in your system).

The larger issue here is that you are probably undereating, which is why you binged. Why on earth are you only eating 1400-1500 per day while on maintenance? That's weight-loss calories, not maintenance calories.

Your battles seem to be mainly mental (which is the same for many of us). I believe that many of us who have yo-yo dieted have fears that, when examined, are completely illogical. For example, just in this thread, you've expressed two completely illogical ideas:

1) That you are not in control of what you put into your mouth. You are.  If it helps, repeat to yourself several times a day, "I AM in control."

2) That, magically, you will regain 130+ lbs. from eating about 1700 a day. In fact, you will no doubt continue to lose even if you were to raise your calories to 2000 (or even more).

I'm not picking on you because I've had similarly illogical thoughts, but it's important to view these for what they are: unfounded fears.  Fight against fear with logic.

I agree with the poster who suggested maintenance. This is a perfect time for you to try to tackle some of those fears.  (Btw, you may be surprised. When I started maintenance, I ended up eventually losing 5 lbs. because I discovered I could eat a heck of a lot more than I thought I could to maintain my weight).  Plus, the bonus is that if you increase you calories to maintenance for a time, you'll probably lose a good chunk of weight when you get back into dieting mode.

I agree with the other poster about standing at your job. I used to be a teller, and I rarely sat. Most of my day was spent standing. You would be surprised at how many more calories you'll burn if you stand rather than sit.

Also, you can set up your computer so that you're standing rather than sitting. Or you can do what I do and create your own tread desk (Google it; also, check out a forum called "Office walkers").  It has changed my life.  I now walk six miles a day, several days a week because of it.