Some thoughts and discussions from me.
When Healthy Living Becomes Obsessive
Good morning, my friends!
Since Tuesday, I’ve been living it up! Life is good, because my two best friends from home are here
The flood may have put a damper on any hiking plans around Boulder, but we could all sit on the couch for 5 days with each other and have a blast!
But on to today’s topic! So today I want to just talk to you all. Just have a dialogue. I’ll say what I think, and then you tell me what you think, and so on.
Yesterday I was talking back and forth with a client, and she mentioned tracking her food on MyFitnessPal made her feel a little too obsessive with eating healthy. Obviously, I don’t want any of my clients to feel this way, so we came up with another plan, but it got me thinking…
When does healthy living become obsessive?
I see what I think is obsessive every day. Whether it’s at a restaurant, on a blog, or a picture on instagram, unfortunately, people can become too obsessed with eating healthy and exercising.
Does it become obsessive when…
…someone orders a salad with chicken, no dressing or cheese at a restaurant?
…takes their own meals with them to restaurants instead of eating with everyone else?
…hates going out to eat because they won’t be able to prepare their own food?
…eats weird, low calorie food “creations” instead of actual meals?
…has every meal and/or snack planned out?
….restricts certain foods or food groups, like bread, grains, or full-fat items?
And what about fitness? When does that become an obsession?
When…
…someone cancels plans in order to get their workout in?
…rearranges their schedule around their workouts?
…spends more than an hour at the gym each workout?
…is always thinking about their next workout?
Here’s my answer, which isn’t necessarily the right answer, and may not be the same as your answer:
I think healthy living becomes obsessive when the person who’s doing it feels any sort of mental or emotional distress because of their actions. For example, pick any of the examples I listed above, and let’s say Sally is our obsessed person. If it stresses Sally out to order a salad without dressing or cheese when out with friends, then healthy eating has become obsessive for her. If she has to cancel her plans in order to get in her run, she will likely feel a little emotional distress from that, and that’s obsession with working out.
Note that I’m not talking about being disordered. I think being obsessed and being disordered can overlap, but they don’t have to. And in my opinion, if I did any of the examples above, I’d feel a bit obsessive, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you would.
I’d love to know your thoughts on this topic!
What do you think? When does healthy living become obsessive?
PS – make sure to check out the Mix My Own cereal giveaway that’s going on this week!
you gotta read this. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kelly-maclean/surviving-whole-foods_b_3895583.html
I think we STRESS to much over food, which can become obsessive, if that makes sense. we live in an imperfect world and try to make our food choices perfect, which is too much all the time. Ya know? haha, do i make sense/
lindsay recently posted…Celebrate 20 yrs with Designer Whey- Giveaway and a Special Healthy Bites Recipe
I agree with many of the points above and that healthy living becomes obsessive when someone is stressed over his/her choices. I used to have obsessive habits with both food and fitness, and I remember trying to justify that I was making “healthy choices,” when in reality I was doing things because I thought I NEEDED to. I would never leave room for some fun!
Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves recently posted…WIAW: Second Celebration
Yes!!! I think so often healthy living just automatically gets deemed as healthy when it fact this isn’t always the case. So many women are under so much emotional struggle to live a healthy life and that is certainly not healthy! Thank you for sharing this message. So important. Have a blast with your friends too 🙂
Danielle recently posted…Chocolate Chip Protein Muffins
Wow…you just described me to a T. I have no idea what it would be like to not have nutrition and fitness on the forefront. It definitely results in unnecessary anxiety.
completely agree that it is all about the way a person feels when they do these things. there are times when i rearrange my schedule to fit a workout in and there are times when i decide to sleep instead of getting my run on, and i’m okay with it either way because i’m not stressed. in the past, there were times i would run at 11:30 at night despite having to get up at 4:30 am because i NEEDED to work out. that was obsessive. it’s really all about the mentality and i think it’s super important that we don’t compare ourselves to others because what works for one doesn’t always work for everyone. health and fitness is clearly not one size fits all, and that’s truly why i love your blog – your approachable outlook is refreshing!
molly @ heart, sole & cereal recently posted…halfway through
I definitely think it is different for everyone and it is not our place to judge. I think you are on point- when someone feels emotionally or mentally distressed about what they are doing is when it becomes a problem. I am sure most of us that are healthy eaters and regular gym goers have started to feel a little too obsessed with our actions, and that is when we need to stop and evaluate the situation! Great post!
Heather Murphy recently posted…Lower body gym workout
Such a good topic for a post! I agree with the general consensus that it’s about how someone feels about their actions – if how someone is eating or exercising is stressing them out, i think that’s pretty much a red flag. I also think that if someone is cutting out entire food groups or macros unneccessarily (trying to eliminate fat or carbs) then that’s definitely not healthy either.
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles recently posted…HLS Recap: Sunday.
I think you nailed it Paige.
Any one (or more) of those behaviours doesn’t indicate ‘obsession’ on it’s own; I would never criticize someone for standing firm in their healthy living choices.
But if the behaviour is causing stress or anxiety, it’s time to take a step back and figure out what the underlying issues are.
Such a tough thing to do…
Tamara recently posted…Use unilateral exercises to shake up your workouts
Exactly! I’ve brought, say, beef jerky, into a movie theater to eat instead of popcorn, but I’m totally cool with that. Meanwhile, someone else might get anxiety from it!
I think you’ve hit the nail on the head with this one. s soon as it disrupts your life negatively it’s an obsession!
Jackie recently posted…Catchin’ Up!
we think we all over obsessive from time to time, but it is important when to realize that you are and take necessary steps to change. Whenever something starts to cause extra stress on the body is never a good thing.
Great post!
purelytwins recently posted…baked fig plantain bread pudding recipe
Def. agree with all of those! I think we all can get obsessed with being healthy once and in awhile. Life is all about balance, but it can be tricky finding that balance.
Ashley @ Life and Fitness recently posted…Double Duty Products
I really think “obsessive” is different for everyone. For me…all of the things you listed above were the beginning of my disorder. That is just me. I have an obsessive personality….I’m always on either extreme. With fitness, it was no different. I started with great intentions, began OBSESSING and it was downhill from there. Luckily, I was able to find a great balance after years of living on either end. And I think that’s what it’s all about…the balance. I love dressing, chicken and cheese on my salad! Oh the things I missed 🙂
Liz recently posted…Feeling the Burn
I agree with all of your points when it comes to being obsessive with healthy living. My opinion is that a healthy lifestyle should NEVER stress you out. Finding a balance that works for you (one that makes you feel happy and healthy) is what we should all strive for. I always advise clients to journal their food, but NOT to restrict it in the beginning. If they start looking at calories and fats when they get started with a healthy lifestyle, that causes them way too much stress. I never want to encourage someone to feel overwhelmed by being healthy. I do think that social media can be a real mood killer when it comes to trying to find your happy place with health and fitness. False promises of “get abs like mine” and “bikini body in 6 weeks” can really make people feel inadequate and become a little on the obsessive side. Happy balance is what I strive for! Great post Paige! I hope you’re having an incredible visit with your friends!
Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) recently posted…Roasted Kabocha Custard
Great topic! I think it is so hard to draw that line between discipline and obsessed. Tamara is definitely right when she said that any one of those behaviors above is not an indicator of being obsessive. Honestly, sometimes the changes in my life do stress me out but that is because change can be hard. I think when the mindset goes from I want to do this to I have to do this then the obsessing starts. That stress creeps in and its all downhill from there.
Great topic!
Erin @ A Girl & Her Mutt recently posted…Weekend Recap: Random Snapshot Style
I love this quote and think you hit the nail on the head with it ~~”I think healthy living becomes obsessive when the person who’s doing it feels any sort of mental or emotional distress because of their actions.” I go in waves with food logging because at times I feel obsessed and “cheating” gives me anxiety. I am at a healthy weight where my logs should be for me and not define me!!
Thank you Paige!!
great post girl! It’s supposed to be funnnnnnnn – if you’re not having fun then change it up! When it becomes a stressor it makes it miserable and then you end up being miserable and everyone around you ends up being miserable as well. OY!
julie recently posted…welcome to brooklyn – the coolest place on earth.
I fell obsessive, in a crazy way. I have gained weight and I feel very out of control, so my instinct is to get a hold of it. So, two weeks ago I started The Shred, I found it very difficult while working to eat all the time and was missing meals and catching up and staying up to get my meals in(I did lose weight though), so I sat in on a Weight Watchers meeting and really liked it, but do not have an extra $45 a month to pay, then I get upset because I know how to eat healthy, so why don’t I? I also track my food on My Fitness Pal daily. D you understand “MY CRAZY?”
Have you thought about joining weight watchers online? It’s a little more affordable and once you do a couple months you can probably go off on your own…
Jennifer Dunham recently posted…When Things Start To Click
You are spot on here (in my opinion). I totally agree with you! If the above things you’re mentioning are causing “emotional distress”, I think that’s a red flag that healthy living has become obsessive. I used to be RIGHT there too, and it’s no fun. I’ve learned that life is too short for that nonsense! I love healthy living, but obsessing over it makes life stressful and far from fun.
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries recently posted…09/19/13: Thursday Thoughts
I think it depends person to person really. TO me, using a sight like myfitnesspal.com will make me obsessive but I have plenty of friends that use it and are successful. I believe it depends on the type of person you are. But, when it takes over your life, when that’s all you talk about or preach to others about then it’s an obsession. Healthy living and exercise should be a lifestyle not something that drives you crazy. Thanks to working with you Paige, I am starting to get that!
I would agree that a lot of the points you brought up sound a bit obsessive. You should still enjoy going out and indulging occasionally without worrying about how many calories are in every single bite you eat. I’ve learned that as long as I’m eating well the majority of the time, the occasional burger and fries isn’t going to derail me.
I’ve even gotten to the point I don’t even use MyFitnessPal as much just because I already have an idea of what I can eat without worrying about accounting for every single thing. It just takes a little practice. It frees up time to enjoy the friends I’m with instead of scanning some barcodes.
Courtney @ Don’t Blink. Just Run. recently posted…Things That Make Me Happy (and an update)
I think the healthy focus can be obsessive when it truly affects and interferes with your life. I know that I was at a point not too long ago where I hated going to out to eat or even eating at others people’s houses because I wouldn’t be able to track every single thing that went into my mouth. I thought about what I was going to eat constantly, and it was driving a wedge between me and people I cared about.
I’ve gotten to a much healthier place now. Yes, I’ve put on about 5lbs, but I truly feel like my body is healthier and I know my relationships and head space are healthier. That is totally worth 5lbs. to me!
Natalie @ Free Range Human recently posted…Who Doesn’t Love It?
Great post Paige! And I totally agree on your thoughts! If any of our health decisions are weighing on us emotionally and preventing us from living life, I do think it’s a problem. It’s something I’ve gone through in the past and it is no way to live (in my opinion). So glad I’ve worked on those issues!
Lisa recently posted…Ten Questions
I think it hits obsessive when it causes you serious distress to NOT be able to do all the things you want (eat the foods you want and workout a certain amount). When you avoid doing things because you know you won’t have control over your food/exercise, that’s when it’s a problem
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats recently posted…Thursday Thoughts
..Still reading from a distance 😉
I DEFINITELY think healthy living becomes obsessive when it causes emotional distress, but also when it begins to take away from your life more than it adds to it. It’s one of the reasons I had to give up blogging about food and my “healthy” life — just one of those lines that I couldn’t help but blur.
And PS: Your blog is so refreshing. It’s one of the few I actually still follow, mostly because I feel like I’m reading about a real person haha. Keep it up, Paige! 🙂
Brittany @ Itty Bits recently posted…So Long, Farewell
Great food for thought! 4-5 years ago I was definitely obsessive about healthy living. I couldn’t go out to eat without panicking (even if I played it cool on the outside, I’d have been stressing about it all day) and I had to make sure I ate all my prepared meals at perfectly scheduled times. I would never miss a run – even if it was pouring down with rain and I didn’t get home until 11pm, I was still heading out for my run! It was definitely obsessive and unhealthy, and I’m not really sure why given how little results I was seeing.
Now I’m SO laidback about food. I eat out 4-5 times a week and usually pick the unhealthiest option on the menu. If I miss a meal, I just eat more at my next meal. If I’m hungry, I eat, if I’m not, I don’t – I’m not a slave to the clock anymore. As for working out, I do think about it all the time, but more because I love it so much. I only train 3-4 days a week (and all of my sessions last over an hour, had to laugh at that line haha!) but my training is with a purpose. As cheesy as it sounds, I see myself as more of an athlete now, not just a stupid girl who was obsessed with burning off calories!
Tara @ Sweat like a Pig recently posted…My eye and lifting
I love this post, and I love your answer. I would say that most of the things you listed would be considered obsessive or at least unhealthy if they start to take over your life. (though ordering a salad is probably lower stress).
calee recently posted…Let’s talk numbers.
I completely agree with what you said. When being healthy stresses you out, it is on the verge of being obsessive. Isn’t being stressed the opposite of healthy living? Great post!
Adrienne Graves recently posted…Friday Five
Love this topic! I think there’s a fine line between being committed to healthy living and becoming obsessive. Last week I cancelled dinner plans with friends because I had an 18 mile run planned the next morning. I felt guilty and stressed over canceling, but right now marathon training takes priority over random nights out and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.
I think that’s a little different. It’s like staying in because you have early practice for a sport 🙂
Great topic & you point out some awesome things!
I def agree that being obsessive is manifest when it causes emotional or physical distress to the person –whatever the action or non action might be. Everyone’s definition of “healthy” looks different, but because we all know when we’re personally being too obsessive, it is key to stop & checkin with ourselves if we begin to feel that distress.
p.s. I totally felt ALL of the things you listed above for many many years…so so glad that is not how I am anymore. It was a horrible way to live–and in fact, I am not so sure I was truly living. I LOVE life now, and food & fitness are just a nice part of my life, not my ENTIRE life. Hallelujah! <3
Amen to that!! <3
Great post girl! I think it is such a fine line over obsession and passion. Ya know? I think it is good to set boundaries and have people around you to hold you accountable so that you don’t become obsessed.
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables recently posted…Tea Time: Let’s Catch Up
I agree with your stance about the motivation and how a person feels when they are doing these “possibly obsessive” things. If they are stressed out about eating out, or what to eat, or making something healthier then I believe that is when things are out of whack. With fitness, I think there is a complete difference between working out hard because you love it, and because you think you have to. With fitness it’s all about enjoying what you are doing, if you don’t enjoy it you won’t stick with it, and you won’t be happy with your life, even if you look great. Do you what you love, eat what you love, in moderation, and live life.
Liesl @ Fitnessinthekitchen recently posted…Fit Focus: 5 Favorite Home Workouts
I think your point about obsession being when mental anxiety/distress is present is a very good point. Some people may change plans to fit in a workout because they truly love and want to work out or need to fit in a last long run before a half. Others may change plans to fit in a workout because they think they need to burn off the dessert they ate last night. I think the latter is an example of obsessive behavior while the first is just someone doing what he or she wants to do. I know that I try to ask myself whenever I do something questionable regarding food or fitness…why am I doing this? Is it to avoid mental distress? Or is it because I want to?
Caitlin recently posted…Hartford NEDA Walk 2013