Anyone else fed up of constant calorie counting and dieting

[Beingnobody]

I know I bring it on myself, I'm just fed up of the daily calorie counting to make sure I'm not going over the number to maintain my weight and dress size. My BMI is 21 so perfectly healthy, but I'm fed up of constantly having to moderate everything.
I don't have cheat days anymore because if I eat a pizza or basically any more calories than I should, my body puffs up for the next few days.
I could start eating whatever I want and go up a size or 2 (currently an 8) but then I'll likely be unhappy with myself.

Just moaning really, not sure if anyone else feels like this but it just gets very boring and restrictive. I do still eat things I enjoy but it's all balanced and within the calorie limit.

No, I’m fine with it.

I’m happier as a slim size 10, logging everything on MFP, than I was when I felt miserable because I had too many spare tyres.
Feeling so uncomfortable in my own skin was harder work than logging my calories and saying no to cake.

Do you have any food intolerances?

Have you tried MFP? I have saved meals on there so it’s not so tiresome adding each individual food. I also have two “no tracking” days a week, and the more I’ve got used to tracking and portion control the less I feel the need to blow out during those days.

Also, have you considered having a weekly calorie target rather than daily? I found this helped me too. You’ll know your maintenance calories for a day, times by seven and that’s your weekly goal. You can eat more one day and less the next or eat more on a Saturday and have a low calorie day on a Tuesday etc., it all balances out.

If you’re bloating instantly after certain meals, it sounds like it could be a good intolerance. Weight doesn’t go on instantly.

Sounds pretty miserable to me, but I’ve never been a size 8 and am quite happy with a 12 (when I start creeping above that, that’s my own boundary to lose) and less restriction. Like you say, you don’t have to do this but if maintaining this weight is important to you then it’s what you need to do.

Yes. I would just like to stop thinking about food and diets and my weight fullstop. I'm bored of it, I'm frustrated by it. I wish I could just be fat and happy and be done with it.

No, I don’t eat like this.

If I have pizza I might have a lighter lunch before hand, or if I have a whole weekend of drinking and eating out I’ll naturally eat a bit healthier the next week or something.

I never take note or worry about the calories I eat in a day.
There’s no type of food I restrict.

I really think most of this is probably just disordered eating. I don’t think I’ve ever come across someone whose whole body puffs up if they have a bit of pizza or a bit of salt. Your body is quite resilient. Seems like this is just a way to be overly controlling of your diet.

No. Especially not at a size 8 which is tiny. I spent most of young adult life up until I was about late 20's as a size 8-10, could eat anything, then at 30 it caught up with me. I'm a size 12-14 in most clothes now. I can drop back to a 'slimmer' size 12, but I have to be extremely disciplined; very little bread, no white pasta, rice, no crisps, snacks, chocolate, no takeaways. It's VERY boring and also not easily achievable in my job; I work long days and nights, eat at weird times, and have to snack a bit to literally keep my energy levels up. Currently on the chunky side of 12 and happy for now. Always would rather carry a little chunk and be happy eating what I want, then skinny and having to calorie count. Life is too short. If I got massive then clearly it would be different.

I quite enjoy learning more about nutrition and logging everything on mfp. I'm not depriving myself though. I've learned out to make some really delicious healthier meals, like protein rich overnight oats, plant milk shakes with protein fruit and dates, healthy gousto recipes, dark chocolate dipped oranges..

Yes. My weight is always up and down as I’m short and Middle Aged and hardly need to eat anything to gain. It always goes on my stomach only too, well stomach and boobs

If you’re puffing up after eating a big meal it could be a gluten intolerance? Cutting out gluten has changed my life.

Thanks for all replies, just reading through now.

It might be psychological but if I go over my calorie limit, I have a big bloated belly and bloat on my legs and face. It may well be intolerance though. The weekly calorie limit sounds a good idea.
My current calorie limit is 2200 per day because I do a lot of exercise in my job and In daily life.

What a way to live, it's a shame being a certain size is so important to you as nobody else would even notice.
I am 54 , never been on a diet or calorie counted, I'm lucky that I'm tall and naturally slim, though obviously not as slim as l once was.
I enjoy my food and don't deprive myself of anything. I am pretty active and don't have a tv, l think that helps alot.

Well no, becuase I choose to eat. I am bigger than I'd like (I was a 6 in my teens and early 20s, now bordering on a 12). I would like to be smaller and am making changes to that affect, but ultimately I don't want to live the rest of my life being miserable about food (which is a huge pleasure of mine - cooking, eating out, trying new things etc) so I accept that has consequences.

I have a small frame so weight gain is very noticeable on me. I'm also quite pear shaped despite being slim.

Its probably a bread/wheat/yeast issue rather than the calories per se because your body wouldnt react like that to a meal or a days food in that way

I had to stop eating bread/wheat/yeast as much as I could, over a year ago as Id noticed over the years that just a bit of those products would swell up my ankles, wrists, face and I would get painful joints

Apparently though on blood tests I show no allergies, so who knows

I felt better once I wasnt eating those products but was at the time very overweight so it wants about calories per se.

With 2200 daily you really shouldn't need to watch cals like someone on 1600 trying to lose weight. That's lots of cal and it should be quite easy a naturally.

Yes, the bloat is either intolerance or in your head (sounds harsh, is not meant to be)

This is no way to live. How totally miserable. I have - like many menopausal women- put on weight as I have got older but I’ve just accepted it. I mean I’m not sitting on the sofa 24/7 shoving doughnuts down- I eat healthily and exercise but I refuse to spend my life counting how many calories are in everything and if I fancy 2 slices of cake or whatever then I’ll have it. I think if you follow the simple rules of eat when you’re hungry and move a lot you’ll find your weight doesn’t increase to an insane amount (unless like me you’re on steroids for asthma / lupus, it’s a constant battle; but even so I sit around the size 16/18 mark which I’m happy with). I know that if I watched everything I ate and never had any treats I’d be a size 10/12 but I know that’s not going to change my life or make me feel happier. I’ve been that size when I was younger, now I just accept I’m older and my body is never going to be the same regardless. (I do take HRT before someone suggests that).

What you eat is so important - it is the fuel and building blocks for your body to function and grow properly.

I would say firstly you need to shift your state of mind - you deserve good and proper food. Nourishing your body correctly is an act of self love and survival, learnt to accept that your deserve proper food and nourishment.

Then take it slowly - how about chaging breakfast to natural yoghurt with some museli (not granola!) and some berries. Filling and nutritious

Perhaps di not stress about lunch - a shop bought sandwich is fine.

Easy dinners could be some protein, carb and veg - so a piece of fish, steamed potatoes and a salad. Or a grilled chicken breast, rice and some stir fried veg.

Also it is good to keep to a healthy weight but stop stressing over calories, that does not help.

You will feel and notice the difference quite quickly.