Why is it so easy to overeat?

[amiebonbon]

Hmm, I wrote my caloric intake for the day in my journal today, as I have been gaining weight steadily for a bit... and I had eaten 2500 calories! No wonder I had been gaining about half a pound a week since the summer ended... Anyways, I had oatmeal in the morning, an egg sandwich for lunch, fish and rice for dinner, and cookies and milk in the evening. I am in high school, 5'2" and about 116 pounds. I used to be 108 last spring. Anyways, why is it so easy to overdo my calories when I eat relatively healthy? Any helpful suggestions? I don't think I need to lose much weight, but lacrosse tryouts are coming up and I'm afraid my weight gain will show in my performance.

Updates

+1 y

Oh, and I rarely feel overstuffed or like I ate too much. I used to binge eat though, when I was stressed. Maybe I stretched my stomach?

[saphirasilverwings]

You're 16, so it's totally normal for you to be gaining some weight. Your weight sounds very healthy, normal, and attractive. Depending on specifics it could even be unhealthy to prevent weight gain, so be careful. It would be a good idea to see a doctor or nutritionist before trying to lose weight or stop gaining it. That said, if you wanted you could try adding more fruits and veggies to your diet. It never hurts (unless you're already eating enough, which very few people do). If you continue to eat only until you feel full (which is a very healthy habit), the fruits and veggies you add will inevitably replace an amount of the other foods you eat. You may feel healthier and more energetic.

[queenofpeen]

Counting calories can be really obsessive, try to avoid it and only focus on how you feel. It doesn't sound like you ate too much that day, the calories are probably just from protein and grains, which are good for you! It's not like the calories are all from chips and cake, haha.

[Longshot]

There are 2 aspects to your current eating habits: 1) You are probably overdoing it by 3-400 calories a day which will put the weight on slowly. 2) You (like me) could become a carboholic -- oatmeal, bread for sandwiches, rice, and cookies. Carbs can add to weight.

You should Google your way to a chart that gives you the right calories for someone your height, weight and with your level of physical activity.

[TheGoodTheBadTheHOT]

DON'T COUNT CALORIES. It's gives a false sense of security, just eat helathy and if you want to cut avoid lots of carbs, saturated fats and sugars and instead drink lot of water. The first step to loosing weight is to raise the metabolism, do at least 20 minutes of intensive cardio a day to do so. The next is to avoid grazing, (your milk and cookies) to do this just drink more water.

[curiouschica]

Hmmm you don't sound bad at all weight wise! And plus once lacrosse starts you won't have to worry as much since you'll be increasing your workouts...try not to stress too much about it!

[GREALDO21]

at the moment I'm not eating much, a bannana and sandwich at 4pm and baked potato at 8pm. I weigh 153 lbs and I'm 6'3.



I think its because of work commitments, before I got my job I weighed 175 lbs and couldn't stop eating.

[sourpatchchik2]

Because food is so yummy. Don't fret too much about calories, just try to burn some off by working out and such.(:

[elizabeth24]

your weight is fine its for someone your height weight is about 108-120 for a small frame woman. you are good don't stress

[WoIIie]

You're also filling out your frame. Don't worry about weight gain until you see something drastic in the mirror.

[Fashii]

Don't worry so much. You are fine... Your weight is just right.

[cyrus7]

we're genetically programmed to take in as much food as possible since that gives us higher chances of survival (talking in caveman days terms)

[Anonymous]

i do that. esp when I'm studying or watching tv. I just eat

[Ezmotts]

Remember, you're still growing. Your weight may be increasing because of that.

[Alpha93]

It's instinct to eat as much as possible.

[pr3ttybr0wn]

food tastes so good

[Anonymous]

Portions are bigger now.