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traineo Community / Diet & Nutrition Tips / Do you count calories?
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dolce luna
traineo Newbie
Posts: 17
Post History
 # Posted: 2 Jun 2007 01:30


Hey, I'm new to tranieo, and I'm still trying to get used to it all, but I have a quick question, how many of you don't count calories? And if you don't how do you 'focus' your diets if you do so?
(ex: take out carbs or no sugars)

I'm trying to avoid having to count calories becuase it can get obessive...

Is weightloss still possible without counting points/calories/serious food restriction?

Thanks for your input!
Nate M
Fitness Guru
Posts: 307
Post History
 # Posted: 2 Jun 2007 02:37


I don't count. I usually eat some what healthy for the most part. I eliminated my "not so good snacks" Pop and eating later in the evening. I am doing well so far. If I am uncertain of how many cals are on something I just take a quick look. I don't give that much effort to add them up.

My workout is usually intense and am very active.
Britt Verstegen
traineo Newbie
Posts: 19
Post History
 # Posted: 2 Jun 2007 04:58


I count. Until I learn appropriate eating habits and what a reasonable portion looks like, I count. I don't think it is necessary for everyone to do this. Some people merely need to eliminate sugars and excessive fats, eat whole grains and plenty of veggies, and then exercise to lose weight. Not me. I count calories.
Imran C
traineo Regular
Posts: 35
Post History
 # Posted: 2 Jun 2007 05:25


I don't count for the same reasons as Nate. Another thing is it can be so annoying. I would strongly dislike looking and counting calories for all the things I eat. I definately believe you can lose weight without serious restrictions and calorie counting. From looking at your profile I would consider the abs diet because it allows you to eat great food, and honestly every person I have ever talked to about it doesn't even consider it a diet. You eat all the time, and its food you probably have in your house. Combine the eating with great workout programs and your set for life. Just a thought.
blest
traineo Fanatic
Posts: 120
Post History
 # Posted: 2 Jun 2007 15:23


I don't count because I have a very short attention span.

In the ten months I've been "dieting" I've counted perhaps three days. Those were after I had already lost quite a bit - just because I wanted to make sure that I was adjusting my intake to match my new size and therefore avoid plateaus. I think counting can be handy like that- just a quick snapshot to let you know where you are. But yeah, it can very easily become an obssessive control thing...
V M
Fitness Guru
Posts: 211
Post History
 # Posted: 2 Jun 2007 19:42


I count, seems to be one of two ways that works for me. The other way was 20 years ago when I did the 500 Calorie/day diet while running 6 miles a day and working 12 hours in a steel mill. That worked, but the calorie counting is easier mentally.

FWIW, most of the people on NS that I know don't count. They eat the alotted meals/food items in the sizes recommended and never do any math. Just check off boxes and they are done. Because I work out, including weight lifting, I have found it necessary to count to make sure I take in enough Calories to lower my weight loss to 2lbs/week and to take in enough protein.
Cynthia Brown
traineo Fanatic
Posts: 83
Post History
 # Posted: 2 Jun 2007 19:47


I count, as much to remember whether I've had enough meals / snacks as for the calories. I find it keeps me honest and on track.
Heather Madrone
traineo Fanatic
Posts: 138
Post History
 # Posted: 2 Jun 2007 21:44


I resisted counting calories for almost 46 years. Worked great until after I hit the big 4-0, then my old system of "eat sensibly, but not too much, and exercise lots" stopped working for me for weight loss.

So now I count, and it's working.

One of the ways that counting calories helps me is in keeping me from going too low. When I was younger, I could handle much bigger calorie deficits without tanking my metabolism. Now I can't. So counting calories keeps me eating enough to keep my metabolism revved
Just Jess
traineo Fanatic
Posts: 93
Post History
 # Posted: 4 Jun 2007 01:27


I counted calories for about 3 weeks or so, then I kind of knew from those weeks I counted what a serving of this was, or a serving of that. Now, I can look at the serving and it's 1/2 a cup for however many calories, now I know what a 1/2 cup looks like without measuring it out, and I just kind of keep track in my head "about" how many calories I have eaten through the day. I don't count down to the exact amount of calories.
Bessam M
traineo Newbie
Posts: 11
Post History
 # Posted: 4 Jun 2007 16:52


I'm like Jessica- I have been counting, but I stopped just to test myself and I find that I eat well enough to maintain my weight by "eyeballing" things. Since I'm not all the way at my weight goal I'm still going to count. I use CalorieKing and it's nice to see how I'm doing in regards to balancing my carbs/fats/proteins. It absolutely can work without doing it, since when I'm away for a few days I still tend to lose because I am overly cautious about what I'm eating, but I don't think I do as good a job from a nutritional standpoint.
Cariad Bach
traineo Newbie
Posts: 16
Post History
 # Posted: 4 Jun 2007 21:34


I count......obsessively

Its become like a competition for me, my BMI now says im on the underweight side but i still feel the need to 'beat' the last days, weeks months, low scores.

I started this 16 weeks ago and i ate 1200 - 1300 calories per day,
I now eat 800 - 950 per day and i dont feel like im winning unless its low,
I think for me the problem has been that i like to have good days in preparation for possible bad days that never happen, its become a obsession that im hoping to cure myself from before it makes me ill.
Im only telling you this as a word of warning,

Its worked for me, ive steadly lost weight every week since it started but im begining to feel ill and depressed, good luck and i hope you do well, just dont let it take over your life.
xxxx
Jeff M
traineo Newbie
Posts: 20
Post History
 # Posted: 5 Jun 2007 15:52


I count slightly obsessively, but I also try to keep my calorie intake relatively non-restrictive, around 2500 (my approximate BMR at 295 pounds). And I plan to increase my calorie intake when regular exercise becomes easier for me.

My problem has always been portion size, and generally shoveling food in my body without regard for how much I'm eating. So I'm one of those people who really needs to count to keep my natural prediliction for over-eating in check.

There is a fair amount of talk on these boards about the need to keep feeding your body enough on a daily basis to keep your metabolism going strong, and I think there's a lot to that. So I use calorie counting as a tracking mechanism, to make sure that I'm eating a reasonable amount rather than counting to be too restrictive.
Josephine McCulley
Fitness Guru
Posts: 384
Post History
 # Posted: 5 Jun 2007 19:25


I tried ditching the calorie counting, but after a couple months I've finally came back to it.

Yes, I can estimate the calories in a meal rather handily, and I can estimate how I'm doing on my macros (protein, carbs, fat, and water) pretty well. But, taking the time to count my calories and keep track of everything I put in my body as acurrately as possible keeps me accountable for my diet and nutrition like nothing else.

I think as long as I'm trying to loose, or to eat rediculously healthy, I believe I will need to lean on my Fit Day account pretty heavily. But, when I get to the point that I'm just trying to maintain or am on a cheat day, I can certainly do something else with that time.


Clifford Chinn
Fitness Guru
Posts: 470
Post History
 # Posted: 6 Jun 2007 10:05


I don't count, I generally eat sensibly now; cut back on a lot of unhealthy eating habits I picked up in college and I feel a significant difference because of it. I generally think that the rule of diminishing returns applies here: making an active decision to watch what you eat is significant (let's just arbitrarily say it's 80% of what you 'should" do), counting calories might get you that last 20% to where you "should be" but for the effort it wasn't worth it for me personally. I do recognize that many people see a huge benefit from it and that it's a good thing, it's just not a "good enough" thing for me to invest my time/energy into.

Not to mention the fact that my brother was an overzealous calorie counter who liked to announce how many calories everyone at the table was eating even when repeatedly reminded that it was annoying (mixed with an occasional STFU), and didn't lose any weight while he was in his "calorie counting asstard" mode.
rik snuiverink
traineo Newbie
Posts: 1
Post History
 # Posted: 30 Dec 2007 13:19


Hi

Im just new to the forum and have problems with overweight as well. Nowadays im doing fine but in the past it went up and down. While i was on a diet i mostly counted my calories as well to lose weight. I got so fed up of searching for calories on the internet or in little books so I have created my own little desktop tool. Its for free and you can download it at the windows website I would like you to give me your comments so that i can improve it a bit more.

Regards,

Rik
Minu ~
The Master
Posts: 2592
Post History
 # Posted: 30 Dec 2007 13:53


After a year of dieting, counting has become 2nd nature, as has keeping the fuel as hi-quality as possible.
Stephanie .
Fitness Guru
Posts: 274
Post History
 # Posted: 30 Dec 2007 15:43


Hi dolce luna,

Since I've only just started the weight loss journey (22 days in,) I've found it very helpful to count often -- not obsessively.

Counting has helped me to identify some no nos in my new diet. For instance, I was enjoying drinking several Smirnoff Ice (like sweet beer) when going out until I found out that each is 228 calories.

Knowing how many calories a day that my body actually needs has been very helpful.

Check out this great forum link, posted by Stitch, that helps you to compute how many calories you need to lose one pound a week:

http://www.traineo.com/9_4355_0.html
Herb Morreale
traineo Regular
Posts: 69
Post History
 # Posted: 30 Dec 2007 16:02


I count, but not regularly. I wish I was more regular. I count because:

- it keeps me focused and honest about my diet
- I learn more about what I'm putting in my body
- it reminds me just how good fruits and veggies are for me vs. other choices

I'm not obsessive about it, but I certainly could understand how that happens.
THE NEW ME
The Master
Posts: 2856
Post History
 # Posted: 30 Dec 2007 16:13


if you dont want to count calories then why dont you set up a plan like-having a certain amount of carbs, proteins, fats, fruit etc per day. it still might be counting but you can have some flexibility with it

for ex. breakfast- have 2 carbs, 1 protein, 1 fruit
Mikaela K
Fitness Guru
Posts: 274
Post History
 # Posted: 30 Dec 2007 19:36


I estimate. If something's 75-125 calories, it gets counted as 100. Stuff like that.

But if my calorie totals aren't where I want them, I don't flip. If I'm under, I'll go eat an apple or something. If I'm over I'll just move on-it's not a big deal as long as it doesn't become habit.
Apollo Lee
traineo Regular
Posts: 52
Post History
 # Posted: 30 Dec 2007 20:11


I count and log everything. That's enabled me drop my body weight from 196 to 149.5 in five months. I keep counting, because I want to know everything. When I have my workout log and my diet log in one place, when my performance is flagging or my scale numbers are unexpected, I just do the math.

Eat - burn = weight change. It's as simple as that.

I calculate carb, fat, and protein percentages to 2 decimal places. I keep my workout log down to the exact second and my running log to the hundredth of a mile. Numbers are good. It's better to opt for more information than less.

For me, the goal is to hit the bulls eye, not vaguely stick the dart in something vertical over that way somewhere.
Shawn W.
Fitness Guru
Posts: 490
Post History
 # Posted: 30 Dec 2007 22:15


I count calories and focus on where they come from. I try to eat 40% of my calories from protein (which works out when your consuming 200g+) but I have to still watch what I eat.

I try to also limit my fat grams but alot of milk = alot of fat g's (as I hate fat free milk)
tex girlee
traineo Fanatic
Posts: 169
Post History
 # Posted: 30 Dec 2007 22:36


I don't necessarily count calories, but i do estimate a bit, and keep my portions withint a good size. If you watch what your doing, you shouldn't have to count, but some people may have to to really kno what they are taking in.

tex
Stacy F
Fitness Guru
Posts: 336
Post History
 # Posted: 3 Jan 2008 03:40


Since the holidays were so good to me I am now counting ever bite. Time to loose all the weight I gained back and keep going
joe h.
traineo Newbie
Posts: 1
Post History
 # Posted: 3 Jan 2008 05:49


when i did count my calories, I lost about 30 lbs, but since i've stopped i've been at a constant weight, even with exercise. hmmm, maybe i should start up again!
Dean Grimshawe
Fitness Guru
Posts: 1182
Post History
 # Posted: 3 Jan 2008 14:46


I don't count calories, though I do focus on the quality of food that I eat. As some of you will know my current focus is on getting my 5 fruit and veggies a day. Also, I've committed to being alcohol free which I have to say feels fantastic!! I wasn't a big drinker any more anyway, but I was partial to a cheeky beer. Not anymore!!

With this in mind I've dropped 10lbs over the last month or so, and I'm not really in it for the weight loss. I am trying to slim down to get better at running, though overall performance is the ultimate objective.

The only time I actually counted calories was when I force fed myself to gain mass, and that was with a main focus on protein.
Bas Dirks
traineo Regular
Posts: 64
Post History
 # Posted: 3 Jan 2008 15:04


I kinda keep track of them, to make sure I get about 1700 of em. When you're eating only healthy stuff, it's harder to eat too much than to eat too little.
wensday l
traineo Newbie
Posts: 5
Post History
 # Posted: 3 Jan 2008 15:10


no.
i know that with my diet it would be near impossible for me to overeat:
i don't eat animal products (ethical vegan - no meat, eggs, dairy, additives) or 'white' grains, and rarely processed foods (usually, by definition foods free from additives and 'white' grains).
Jeff Bristow
Fitness Guru
Posts: 280
Post History
 # Posted: 3 Jan 2008 15:16


I count.

I seem to be unable to determine the proper amount of food to eat unless I count. I tend to fall into the 'massive overeating' category if I don't count. At first I didn't think I would be able to actually keep track of everything but oddly I now find it fun to count every calorie. I also track grams of fat, carbohydrates, and protein.
Splint Chesthair
Fitness Guru
Posts: 471
Post History
 # Posted: 3 Jan 2008 15:21


I resisted for many years thinking it was a pointless exercise because I had never counted calories before and never had a problem. With age came an additional 35 pounds. After trying several methods of losing weight, I decided to try tracking calories. I lost 35 pounds doing that over several months. Now I just eyeball but I believe I'm only able to do that because of what I learned about portions, food quality and nutrition that came from keeping a food journal.

Here's what it comes down to, if you're doing everything else right, i.e. exercise, rest, rescovery, and you're still not losing weight, you may need to keep a food journal. If you asked me whether I would have learned anything by keeping a food journal, I would have said "No." but that was before I did it. It really opened my eyes to the quality of my diet and the number of calories in everyday foods.
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