Big Sister

Loving Life With Food

Hey Big Sisters. I have a bit of a dumb question, but I really need help. I feel like I have an obsession with food. It all started when I quit my soccer team a few weeks ago. Up until that point, I could eat absolutely ANYTHING I wanted, and not have to worry about gaining weight, as I would just burn it off that night at practice. I had been playing soccer pretty much my whole life, so I've never really had to eat like a normal person... I really could eat as much as I wanted, whenever I wanted. However, now that I don't play soccer six nights a week, I feel like I'm consumed with words like "calories", "fat", "weight" and "exercise". It seems like food is the only thing that's ever on my mind - and when I am eating, I don't stop to really taste it, I'm just thinking of what my next meal is going to be. I'm trying SO HARD to eat well and not obsess, but somehow I just can't stop myself when I enter the kitchen. I go CRAZY. I've tried counting calories, just to get a measure of how much I really am eating, but that gets tiresome after a while. I've tried to focus on eating when I'm hungry and not when I'm bored, but that only works for a few days at a time. I've joined a gym, but when I go I get a little OCD and work out for 3 hours at a time, which I know isn't healthy either. At the rate I'm going, I feel like one of two things could happen. 1) I'm either heading towards an eating disorder because I'm so obsessed or 2) I'll completely give up and gain 45 pounds I feel like I'll self-destruct either way... I can't seem to find a happy medium. I think part of my worry is that I was really overweight as a child, and now that I'm 17 years old, 5'8 and weigh 155 pounds, I'll just end up going back to my old rolly-polly self. Which I really don't want. At all. So I was just wondering if you girls could help me. I don't know if you have any tips or tricks on how to stop yourself from overdosing on food, but if you did, that would be so very much appreciated. Thanks a bunch

Not Really That Hungry | age 17 | February 27, 2010

amanda says...

I can relate to this situation 100%. I too played highly competitive soccer and found it easy to keep myself at a healthy weight. After I quit I noticed the pounds piling on. I think different tactics work for everyone, but here are some things that worked for me. Since I was never a fan of going to the gym, I joined a basketball league. This forced me to work out once a week. In your case, joining a different sport with less of a commitment can put a cap on your exercise and will still have you being active and not necessarily in soccer. Also, when it comes to eating, you can eat a lot of stuff, as long as it's healthy. I found the fake meals (the snacks between meals) were the ones that got to me. So, I would always try to snack on healthy foods. Frozen grapes, cheese and crackers or nuts. All of these I found to be substantial and got rid of my snack craving. Lastly I almost always try to substitute out fries when ordering foods. They aren't too good for you and usually make you feel really full. You can order burgers and stuff, but just always opt for the salad. Lastly you can always try making a food diary. Sometimes writing out everything you have eaten in a day will make you more food conscious. If you really feel like you are on the brink of a eating disorder, make sure you tell someone and get help before it's too late. Talking to a doctor might be able to help you more with guidleines and putting a structure to yoru eating.

Tags: food, weight, fat, eating disorder, soccer, calories

Published on March 3, 2010 by amanda | Read all recent Big Sister articles.