Getting obsessed with steps and losing weight

[honeygram]

I've been using the fitbit since my daughter bought it for me as a Christmas gift.  The last couple of months I got serious about taking off the 12 pounds I've gained in the last couple of years.  I've gotten 8 pounds off.  My problem is I'm becoming obsessed with getting my 20 thousand steps in and logging every bite I put in my mouth.  I know you are supposed to watch yourself but at times I feel like it is taking over my life.  I only have 4 pounds to go and I'm hoping I will get over this when it's all off.  I see myself easily falling into trying to get more off than I need to because of monitering everything so closely right now.  Anyone else have these issues?  I'm 57 and never had to lose weight before.  Is this normal?

[LizziePooh]

I think with approximately 8 months of experience in logging your food and tracking everything, you should not have to track since you know what works or not. 

For me, I need the tracking since it helps me be accountable. When the numbers stare me in the face, I can't really fudge and think I burned more than I ate when I really didn't

Congrats on your weight loss. That is great! 🙂

[alef]

hello hg, i plateaued a couple times in weight loss.

I am 60 male was 239 in hospital in feb 2015 for heart surgery and this morning was 207. my goal is to be 179 for health reasons

3 keys for me were oatmeal with fruit breakfast every day, eggs on sunday.

getting enough sleep

staying hydrated, was not drinking enough, started drinking correct amount of water 8 to 10 cups a day 

U can do it

kind regards

alef

[honeygram]

Yes sleep is a big detriment to me.  At this age I don't sleep very good most nights.  Took some Benedryl but then I get like a hang over headache from that stuff.  I did sleep all night though.

[LadyHardworking]

I am new to fitbit and enjoying the results. Losing weight is not my problem and I have to be careful not to lose too much. Wearing in my most used hand and cooking and cleaning itself reaches the target of 10,000 steps. On top of it I like to attend the gym at least 4 days in a week. I would be happy to see Fitbit giving some warning...such as "stop eating" or "stop working"...then I would be fit in real sense. The sleep records are funny to see how many times I got up and I didn't know anything about it? feels strange but not worried.

[madenit]

having steps goals is great motivation I especially like the calories burned vs Calories eaten. I walk now when before I use to get the bus and I also do much more cardio at the gym as I track my exercises. Hope the fitbit will keep me motivated when the winter months comes around

[madenit]

I need to get a didgtal scale as its not awlays easy for me to log the correct amounts, but having a guuide to your input and output defo helps you watch what you eat

[Maxit]

I think was you describe is fairly common, @honeygram  Since you are a mere 4 pounds from your goal, it's time to start thinking of developing habits you will maintain that will assist you in staying within your new weight range (<----range not actual # is important here).  Fast forward 5 years - still obsessing over logging and those 20K steps?  Probably not.  While you are walking now, since walking is such a great activity during which to let the mind wander,  it is something to be curious about, and then as you identify your plan, start it now.    Cruise into your goal range already doing what you will continue to do moving forward.

[AmandaVoll]

Hi Honeygram, 

I know you wrote this post a while back, but I'm wondering if you'd be willing to talk to me about your experience. I'm a Canadian journalism student at Carleton University working on an in-depth piece about exactly what you described—becoming unhealthily obsessed with fitness tracking. 

I realize it's a personal topic, but I think your perspective is important to tell the story well. There's very little published about it so far, and I think it's something very worth talking about. 

It won't take more than 10 minutes of your time over the phone, or Skype, whatever you prefer. My email is amanda.vollmershausen@carleton.ca if you're willing to send me a line so we can set something up, or I can answer any questions you might have.

All the best,

Amanda Vollmershausen

[Elansc]

Gosh I hope it is normal!!  I have been logging food on myfitnesspal and tracking steps with fitbit since 2013 and it has become just a habit (perhaps an obsession  but it keeps me honest and it really does not take too much time out of my day.  I lost 80 pounts in 18 months, have maintained at the exact weight (with a few pounds up and down) for 18 months, and now I am gearing up to lose another 10-15 pounds -- just enough to get me into the next smallest pant size before the summer....