So I have a plan.

[amdhunter]

OK, taking advice from you guys. Please bear with me, I am very excited lately and even went to the gym 3 of the last 4 days, mainly staying on the treadmill. I want to go again today. I have a really addictive personality, and I am hoping it won't become an obsession.

I am currently 230lbs, and 5'10.

I've calculated my BMR @ 2136.3 and BMI @ 2563.56.

I think I am planning to go for 1500-1800 calories a day. I know many of you will say that is too little calories, but understand that I am not mentally prepared to take in more than that. I don't feel sick, and have plenty of energy. I am afraid if I eat more than this, I won't be able to stop.

That said, I am also going to try and get 3 meals in a day. Something light in the morning, light at lunch and medium at night.

My question is, if I eat 500 calories, and work off 500 calories, is that the same as starving myself?

My goal right now is strictly fat loss, and not muscle gain, at least not yet.


OP BELOW:

I can't believe it. I have been doing nothing but taking a walk everyday and taking in very little calories. I know it's unhealthy, but everyone commented that I look a lot different lately.

I've been very afraid to step on a scale but was put on the spot today. Sure enough, I did manage to lose a few pounds. I went from 265 (unclothed) to 230 with boots, jeans and heavy clothing.

I am looking to reach 200 by dieting even stricter (I fill myself up with very little meat, rice and fruits and vegetables.)

I am afraid I am becoming borderline anorexic. I have an insane fear of eating, and I want to throw up after eating very little food.

For example, I ate a single big mac the other day ONLY because I was with friends and didn't want them to realize that I am dieting. It disgusted me. When I got home, I had the extreme urge to throw it all up. The other day I ate 2 strawberries and felt like hitting myself because I thought the 50 calories or so would destroy me.

When I feel desperate, I'll eat some fatty food, but won't swallow it. I'd spit it out in the toilet or sink and flush it down. It seems to give me enough satisfaction and I lose the craving.

I am concerned about the long term effects, but I can't help it. I am literally afraid to eat. I'm also developing an irrational fear of when people look at me. If I notice someone looking at me from the sides, I'll turn to face them frontwards.

Crap. How the hell did it get to this?

Don't know why I am even posting this thread. Most of you will probably just make fun of me lol. No one around me knows what is going on. I don't feel sick or anything...but I know something is wrong.

Dammit.

 

[KidNiki1]

i didnt reply to your post in OT about how you were losing weight, and i am hesitant to do so now because the people who responded to you in that thread with the same kind of info i would tell you, you seemed to ignore.

starvation dieting does not work. losing that much weight that fast is NOT good for you, at all. you need to totally change the way you relate to food, not just stop eating it.

it's totally awesome that you want to lose weight, but you are going to have to make a pretty serious mental change with regard to food. the first being it's ok to eat it. the second, that you need to eat smarter and eat the right amount of food.

you are only setting yourself up to gain it all back, plus more probably, when you actually start eating again. or, you are going to eat so little you will take a trip to the hospital.

what you are doing isnt healthy, or the best way to lose weight. but you know that. i'm not sure what anyone here could say to you. you are going to have to figure it out on your own.

if you want to talk about anything tho, feel free to pm me.

even if you don't, please eat more and eat healthy. i would hate for you to have some sort of medical trauma because of this.

 

[amdhunter]

i didnt reply to your post in OT about how you were losing weight, and i am hesitant to do so now because the people who responded to you in that thread with the same kind of info i would tell you, you seemed to ignore.

starvation dieting does not work. losing that much weight that fast is NOT good for you, at all. you need to totally change the way you relate to food, not just stop eating it.

it's totally awesome that you want to lose weight, but you are going to have to make a pretty serious mental change with regard to food. the first being it's ok to eat it. the second, that you need to eat smarter and eat the right amount of food.

you are only setting yourself up to gain it all back, plus more probably, when you actually start eating again. or, you are going to eat so little you will take a trip to the hospital.

what you are doing isnt healthy, or the best way to lose weight. but you know that. i'm not sure what anyone here could say to you. you are going to have to figure it out on your own.

if you want to talk about anything tho, feel free to pm me.

even if you don't, please eat more and eat healthy. i would hate for you to have some sort of medical trauma because of this.

I don't feel unhealthy yet. I can walk for hours on end, I don't get tired. It's hard to stop when I am seeing good results, and I feel energetic. I know it's stupid, but it's working. This is the first time ever I've ever lost any amount of weight.

The only other thing I can think of is to do some liposuction or something to get it out fast. It's only my stomach I am worried about now. I think once that goes away, I'll be happy and return to somewhat normal.

 

[Charles Kozierok]

...but I know something is wrong.

Sorry but I have to agree.

I'd start by talking to your doctor.

 

[amdhunter]

Sorry but I have to agree.

I'd start by talking to your doctor.

That's what started this whole thing. She called me obese and I got pissed off. Something cracked inside of my mind.

I was always fat, but never thought of myself as obese.

 

[purbeast0]

in another thread you said that you only eat 800 calories a day. you're starving yourself and hurting yourself more than trying to lose weight properly. your metabolism has slowed to a crawl.

i'd be unhappy as shit if i was starving myself as well. i'm sure since you are literally starving your body that it is also making you feel like total shit.

 

[iluvdeal]

There's so many things wrong here, I don't know where to start. What you have won't go away with reaching a certain weight as the core issue here isn't really weight. You really need to speak to a mental health professional who specializes in eating disorders immediately, just talk things over with them. You know something is wrong, so do something.

 

[Zorander]

Sounds like you are also suffering from a metabolic crash (think that's what it's called). I had food poisoning once and could not ingest anything for a whole day (even drinking water would trigger vomiting). My metabolism rate crashed and I just felt downright horrible that day.

Is there any other exercise you are doing besides walking? I was once in similar situation (trying to lose weight). All I did were watch (note: not severely restrict) my sugar & fat intake and increase aerobic exercise (jogging, for me). The weight just shed off as my body learned to adapt to the lifestyle change.

There is a really good sticky on this sub-forum. I strongly suggest going through it and taking away what you can from it.

Cheers!

 

[RbSX]

That's what started this whole thing. She called me obese and I got pissed off. Something cracked inside of my mind.

I was always fat, but never thought of myself as obese.

You're an idiot - stop crash dieting, it causes problems as much as overeating.

 

[Mr. Pedantic]

I don't feel unhealthy yet. I can walk for hours on end, I don't get tired. It's hard to stop when I am seeing good results, and I feel energetic. I know it's stupid, but it's working. This is the first time ever I've ever lost any amount of weight.

The only other thing I can think of is to do some liposuction or something to get it out fast. It's only my stomach I am worried about now. I think once that goes away, I'll be happy and return to somewhat normal.

That's not really the point. Diabetics who binge on carbs and fat feel just fine...up until the huge heart attack or stroke that kills them. Just because you're losing weight and feeling good (for the time being), is not necessarily a good thing if the way you're going about it is going to damage your health in the long term - and my estimation is that if you keep on with this, it will.

Go see your doctor, I don't think advice is the only thing that you'll need to get out of this.

That's what started this whole thing. She called me obese and I got pissed off. Something cracked inside of my mind.

I was always fat, but never thought of myself as obese.

Hopefully she's professional enough to realize that whatever she feels about your weight, if you do have something wrong she'll do something about it.

Also, calling someone obese isn't exactly the worst insult in the world.

 

[Pia]

There's so many things wrong here, I don't know where to start. What you have won't go away with reaching a certain weight as the core issue here isn't really weight. You really need to speak to a mental health professional who specializes in eating disorders immediately, just talk things over with them. You know something is wrong, so do something.

This. Make an appointment today. Hell, print out your initial post from this thread and give it to the doc because I think it makes it clear what's going on, and doing so makes sure you don't start minimizing the issue when face to face.

And as much as you can, eat. Starvation physically makes you stupider, which makes it harder to make reasonable decisions, such as to stop starving yourself.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

There are many studies that show not eating enough carbs can cause depression. I would say try to regulate your diet a little more because with a proper diet and the excercise you are doing you should be feeling better, not worse. I have to think it has to do with your diet.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/23047-nutritional-causes-depression/

 

[Charles Kozierok]

That's what started this whole thing. She called me obese and I got pissed off. Something cracked inside of my mind.

I was always fat, but never thought of myself as obese.

Perhaps you overreacted? Perhaps you don't have a good rapport with your doctor.

But based on what you've described, IMO you need some professional help with this issue... a doctor, a dietician, even a psychologist.

Don't be afraid of getting help. We all need it from time to time.

 

[jmarti445]

Its possible that you may have issues with your liver, you will want to eat a lot more fruits and vegetables(may even go Vegan...or vegetarian as I have). The liver is one of the key causes of depression and mental instability next to issues with the brain. I got screened and it showed that I had liver problems, so I started to detox my body with herbal Teas and supplements, I'm finding I'm a much happier person then I ever was before. People like to hate Vegan and Vegetarian diets but I'm telling you as an eater of meat for 33 years, I'm not really missing it. I don't think I could go full on vegan as it is an expensive way to live but I'm finding that vegetarianism isn't anymore expensive then eating meat, I stay fuller, and if it keeps me from becoming overweight after my weight loss is over then I have no problem sticking with this for the rest of my life.

Honestly though, get your liver screened, if you are or were obese than you may be having liver problems. I was really a lot more miserable before I switched.

And no, I don't have a problem with people who eat meat, hunt, wear animal hides or anything else. I just won't be eating meat for the rest of my life, cause its not worth being obese and unhappy.

 

[amdhunter]

That's not really the point. Diabetics who binge on carbs and fat feel just fine...up until the huge heart attack or stroke that kills them. Just because you're losing weight and feeling good (for the time being), is not necessarily a good thing if the way you're going about it is going to damage your health in the long term - and my estimation is that if you keep on with this, it will.

Go see your doctor, I don't think advice is the only thing that you'll need to get out of this.


Hopefully she's professional enough to realize that whatever she feels about your weight, if you do have something wrong she'll do something about it.

Also, calling someone obese isn't exactly the worst insult in the world.

If I didn't hear the word, I'd still be heavy and in even more depressed...lol

 

[GoStumpy]

The other day I ate 2 strawberries and felt like hitting myself because I thought the 50 calories or so would destroy me.
.

You need help.

Professional help.

 

[brandonb]

amdhunter.

I believe the hardest thing for people to realize when trying to diet and lose weight is the fact that they expect instant results. People go on a diet program or join a gym, try it for a few weeks or a month, and give up saying "I didn't get anywhere? It's a waste of time." They get discouraged and quit.

The thing that really helped me change my mindset is to change the way I look at the entire problem.

Rather than think of it as "I need to lose 30lbs in 3 months." Which is hard to do, but add ontop of it that if you have a down day (or a day you cheated or didn't go to the gym) you start to think "I just ruined my diet... I need to do something drastic tomorrow to make up for it." Or that you need to purge your big mac.

Instead, just take it day by day. Look for very small and minor achievements. This is how I look at it, and it's literally nothing more than this for me: If I go to the gym today or eat a bowl of soup for dinner, I've won the battle for the day. I will win the war on my obesity if I keep winning these daily battles. Sure, some days I eat fast food, and I might not have won the battle for the day, but I will still win the war. It's actually pretty easy. It's not that hard to go to the gym a few times a week, or eat soup (or something equally as healthy) for dinner a few times per week. In fact, it's so easy I'm suprised people are getting obese. Just keep it simple.

That's my mindset, and I find myself never stressed out.

To me it sounds like you are obsessing about every aspect. Don't. No need, it won't help. Just keep 2 simple achievements for the day: Gym, yes/no. Eat a small meal, yes/no... Just make sure 1 is a yes. You win!

 

[preslove]

Have you joined a gym, OP?

Exercise is nature's anti-depressant.

 

[rga]

Instead, just take it day by day. Look for very small and minor achievements. This is how I look at it, and it's literally nothing more than this for me: If I go to the gym today or eat a bowl of soup for dinner, I've won the battle for the day. I will win the war on my obesity if I keep winning these daily battles. Sure, some days I eat fast food, and I might not have won the battle for the day, but I will still win the war. It's actually pretty easy. It's not that hard to go to the gym a few times a week, or eat soup (or something equally as healthy) for dinner a few times per week. In fact, it's so easy I'm suprised people are getting obese. Just keep it simple.

This is good advice, and it goes well with the rest of the stuff that people have been saying. You need to eat, and if you don't two things will happen: the first - your metabolism will slow down, the rate at which you're losing weight will decrease, and you will be storing your food energy as fat whenever you do eat; the second - you will start to feel even worse than you are now.

Are you a gamer? Do you play MMOs? I'm a pretty big nerd, and so I started looking at my weight loss as if I was playing an MMORPG. My weight did not decrease over night, just like I can't get to max level in a game in one night. Day to day, you do little things that eventually start adding up, and before you know it you've arrived where you want to be. I mention this because I wanted fast results, too, and I used this analogy to change my mindset. Brandonb is right - change the way you think about losing weight.

I was also at a point where I wanted to eat less and less. Your whole "I ate 2 strawberries and felt like hitting myself because I thought the 50 calories or so would destroy me" is how I felt after eating things where I didn't need the extra calories, but that they wouldn't hurt me either. Eventually, being constantly hungry or starved for energy began to feel worse than the feeling of guilt associated with eating. I didn't just give in to temptation though, I started looking for recipes that produced quality calories and had a taste I liked. I started thinking with the MMO analogy again - I had already lost as much weight as I was going by stopping to eat - I effectively cleared that content and started looking for new stuff to do.

People may laugh at me for how nerdy I am, but it has worked for me. I've always liked the idea of the type of game where you stick with one character that you are constantly trying to improve. Thinking of weight loss in this way has allowed my journey to be fun. Now the game is real life, and my toon is me, and there has been lots of improvement.

TL;DR: Change the way you think about losing weight. Make it fun. And make sure to eat. You'll feel a lot better. When you get that craving for something like a Big Mac, make a decision to eat a healthier alternative instead. If you stick to your decision, and overcome that craving, you'll slowly build confidence to tackle the bigger steps towards a healthier lifestyle.

Oh and ready SociallyChallenged's sticky. It's got soo much good advice in it, and a lot of stuff that can lead you to even more information. My weight loss journey began with his thread. I've not thanked him personally yet, but I consider his thread to be the biggest help I've received to date. It was the starting point, and it had all the basics. By further researching and applying the information he mentioned, I've dropped 80 pounds in just under a year. Please read it. Please follow it.

 

[Pia]

Lots of ideas posted here on the topic of "losing weight". Possibly good advice for another day. Probably not a good idea to post it right now.

amdhunter, seriously, don't even make another post before you have an appointment to a doc. Go make one, then report in.

 

[rga]

Lots of ideas posted here on the topic of "losing weight". Possibly good advice for another day. Probably not a good idea to post it right now.

amdhunter, seriously, don't even make another post before you have an appointment to a doc. Go make one, then report in.

This is not something he needs to see a doctor about. He doesn't need to see a psycologist. This is his first time trying to lose weight, he doesn't know how to do it, and so he did the first thing that most people probably do in this situation: stop eating and convince yourself it's bad, because it's what made you gain weight in the first place. Knowledge is power. If he has the right ideas and information regarding healthy weight loss, he won't feel the way he does now.

 

[surfsatwerk]

If I didn't hear the word, I'd still be heavy and in even more depressed...lol

OMG, do you even lift?

 

[Awkward]

OMG, do you even lift?

someone spends a lot of time on /fit/

to op: i suggest you conquer this mentality now, or you're going to binge and binge hard

 

[nitsuj3580]

From someone how recently lost 40 pounds, read the sticky in this forum! You will keep losing weight and not starve! At the worst, calculate your BMR and eat at least that many calories. You will NOT gain weight and if you're even remotely active (BMR is basically the caloric intake you need if you stay in bed all day), you will still lose weight.

 

[iluvdeal]

This is not something he needs to see a doctor about. He doesn't need to see a psycologist.

Worst advice ever. Go back and read his first post. This isn't another one of those "read the fat loss sticky" type post. Anorexia isn't about not knowing how to lose weight correctly, it's a disorder of the mind.