calorie counting books and my thoughts on my first week of WW (long)

J

jharris35

Cathlete
I would like to buy a book for calorie counting. Do any of you ladies have a book that you like and find reliable? I want something paperback and compact enough to throw in my purse.

I tried to follow WW and count points all week. This was easier than I thought it would be but I would like a round number instead of point range. Also by mid week I had used all my points. I like to eat.;-)

What I did learn in one week of forcing myself to track points is that it does make me more aware of what I put in my mouth. It makes me think about whether I am truly hungry or just bored and want to munch. I did lose at least 1lb but it could have been 4lbs. The scale fluctuates all week. But Saturday when I weighed in the scale said 172. So between tracking my food and following a rotation the scale is now making a numeric adjustment!!:)

What I don't like about a WW is it makes me feel obessive about food and exercise. What I should and shouldn't eat. If I don't exercise I won't have extra points. I also feel like it gives me a low cal count and that I should have more.

So the good is it makes me more aware and that has shown a positive result. The bad is I feel I am obessive.

So if you know of good calorie counting guide and some tips I would love it.

Jenn;-)
 
I'm sure any bookstore carries a basic calorie guide. Really, though, the WW points system is just another way to count calories. It's six of one and half dozen of the other. One advantage of calorie counting is that you don't have to pay for meetings and such, but you still have to discipline yourself to not overeat.
 
First of all, one pound a week is good.

I am not sure why calorie counting would make you less obsessive than point counting. It is all the same. You may look at something like WW Core, or Volumetrics, which is eating high volume foods that have low calorie, hence filling you up.

I view the obessive feeling you find as discipline. If I want to lose weight, or maintain weight, I have to be disciplined all the time. I gain very easily, and I cannot just be casual about it. It is something I have had to watch since I was 12 years old, and I don't anticipate anything changing now. Interestingly enough, I have a much easier time of maintaining a healthy weight than my husband whose weight gains are recent to being over 40. He never learned the discipline of eating and exercising, and is struggling with it now.
 
You could try FitDay.com. They have free sign in and you can track your calories and also your fat, carbs, protein and alcohol %'s.

What I also like is that you can take the food you eat and enter in into your account (I just take the package to my computer with me and enter the nutrition facts). It makes it completely individualized. And you can plan your day ahead of time to see how it all figures out. No calculators.

You can add in your exercise if you like and then you can track where you are at different time frames: day, week, month, etc.

This is what I do when I can't seem to figure out why my body is gaining weight or seems to be losing muscle.

Good luck.:7
 
Thank you for all your responses. I understand WW is another way of counting calories. I just think I need that actual number. (ie:1600 or 1800). Just me I guess. :) As for the websites I just find them to be tedious. I do have the Self Diet Club, and a SparkPeople account. I still have to write it all down, since I can't get to my computer until the end of the evening.

And yes I guess thoughts on feeling obessive is really discpline. I have never been discplined with my eating so I guess that poses a problem. The bottom line is I love my Cathe workouts. It is more of hobby then a chore. But although I am seeing small changes I do know my dietary habits are holding me back. It's like I sabotage myself. I fall off the wagon daily. So I know I am in for a daily struggle to discpline my eating habits. It will take trial and error to see what works best for me.

Again thanks for all your support.

Jenn
 
Jenn,

I found that having one "free day" for eating really helped me relax about the rest of the week. I can go for six days when I know that on Friday I can eat what I want and not feel guilty OR undo the effort I made the rest of the week.

HTH,
Susan L.G.
 
Yes I am trying to get to that point. I thought about doing WW at home for M-F and then be a little lax on the weekends. Not a drag out go to hell with myself but not worry about it.

Then yesterday I fell off the wagon. 3 xtra cookies, brownies, 2 pieces of candy. x( And my shins were killing me from trying to do a 2 mile fun run for a parade. Needless to say I walked most of the 2 miles. Learned my NIKE SHOX suck on the road no support and the laces come undone every 2 minutes no matter how many knots you put in them. x( So Bootcamp was out last night.

I will keep journaling my food but I doubt I will ever be "clean eater".

Jenn
 
Oh, I know for sure I will never be a clean eater, but I'm OK with that.

I'll be a 'tidy' eater - heehee!
 
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