Mental Health With Regards to Losing Weight Topic

Purpleunicorgi 02/03/22
I can help but worry about my mental health while losing weight. I have not had the best relationship with food in the past. I think that I have an undiagnosed binge-eating disorder, and in the past (in my early teens) I was in treatment for anorexia after going through a major growth spurt and losing weight at the same time. The problem that I need with this app is seeing my metrics. I am trying to safely lose weight right now, which I gained in quarantine from not going to the gym/ exercising, without being triggered. I am vegan/vegetarian and joined this app so that I can track my macros and micros to make sure that I am getting enough. I have trouble with logging my vitamins and oil supplements in this app and finding the calorie counter triggering but know that I need to log my food and see my energy intake to stay on target. For example, with the calorie counter, if I am 50 calories over my daily budget, the apple becomes orange and tells me that I am doing bad when I know that I am doing ok. Is there any way to change the rigorous calorie budget to not be a single number, but a range? Is there anyone else out there in this community that feels the same way? Can a nutritionist on this app tell me where I can contact customer support during this process to maybe access these features or change the app programming to cater to my needs / other people in a similar situation as mine's needs?

Dietician 02/07/22 replied to Purpleunicorgi
Hi there Purpleunicorgi- I am sorry to hear you are struggling!

Thank you for taking a moment to pass along this valuable feedback! I will pass along your thoughts about the color of the apple in relation to going over calories. We are always looking for ways to improve the app so it helps people meet their goals in a healthy way~

While tracking food and exercise can be valuable for users wanting to improve their health, it can reinforce unhealthy behaviors for those with or at risk for eating disorders. Please consider taking a break from using the app to track calories, as you shared it is triggering for you. There are other ways to track your progress outside of calories and weight. This article has some ideas: https://www.mynetdiary.com/track-weight-loss-progress.html
We at MyNetDiary take health very seriously and support healthy eating behaviors. Our terms and conditions prohibit anyone with an active eating disorder from using the app. Research has shown that tracking while struggling with an eating disorder or relapsing can make things worse. Here are our terms and conditions for your review: https://www.mynetdiary.com/terms.html
I realize this sounds harsh. We are concerned for your overall health and want you to get better and would hate for tracking to make things worse. Please seek professional help and support, this website is a good place to find help: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/help-support/contact-helpline
Remember, it is all about progress not perfection! We hope you can reach your health goals in a balanced and healthy way and would hate for the app to make things worse.

I am not sure you saw this response, so I am posting it again.
Please let me know you received this. Wishing you all the best, Joanna (MyNetDiary Dietitian)

Milksquish 03/02/22
I think feeling crappy when that Apple turns orange is a part of the app’s magic; accountability. But the previously eating disordered part of me occasionally hates it, panics, etc.. I think the dietician’s advice is pretty solid.

Dietician 03/03/22
Hi Purpleunicorgi,

You mentioned that you are concerned you may have an undiagnosed binge eating disorder. Please read this recent article that can help you learn the signs of binge eating disorder and tips and links for seeking help for it if you do.
https://www.mynetdiary.com/help-for-binge-eating.html

Please take care of yourself! Brenda (MyNetDiary Dietitian)

Mental Health With Regards to Losing Weight