To count or not to count
- Thread starter pjlippert
- Start date
Fit_mommy
Cathlete
I used FitDay for a long time to count cals and keep track of macros and then switched to Sparkpeople. I've counted on and off since I was trying to lose my pregnancy weight back in the summer of 2005. It worked for me sometimes and sometimes it did not.
At the urging of my DH I let go of that along with the scale and all of the of darned numbers that make one go batty! I weigh no more then once a week and record my weight no more then once a month. I haven't tracked/counted cals or macros in many months. I don't measure my body and or take my bf%. I go by how I look in the mirror and how I feel mostly. I don't even go by how my clothes fit cause I swear they lie too!
Anyway I am doing fabulously! Soooo much happier! I will only go back to being a slave to the numbers ONLY if I seriously think it's the only way b/c I've gained weight/fat and can't get rid of it by any other means.
JMHO!
At the urging of my DH I let go of that along with the scale and all of the of darned numbers that make one go batty! I weigh no more then once a week and record my weight no more then once a month. I haven't tracked/counted cals or macros in many months. I don't measure my body and or take my bf%. I go by how I look in the mirror and how I feel mostly. I don't even go by how my clothes fit cause I swear they lie too!
Anyway I am doing fabulously! Soooo much happier! I will only go back to being a slave to the numbers ONLY if I seriously think it's the only way b/c I've gained weight/fat and can't get rid of it by any other means.
JMHO!
kathryn
Cathlete
I don't count calories, and--aside from a very short period when I was a bit obsessive about it--never have.
IMO, if you eat mostly real food, focus on nutrient-dense foods, and are reasonably aware of limiting your fat intake, it's absolutely not necessary to count calories. An exception might be someone who needs to relearn their eating habits, and who for a time counts calories to become more aware of what they are actually eating (like journaling their calories for a few weeks, and seeing where they need to tweak things).
Did our ancestors count calories? Do animals count calories?
IMO, if you eat mostly real food, focus on nutrient-dense foods, and are reasonably aware of limiting your fat intake, it's absolutely not necessary to count calories. An exception might be someone who needs to relearn their eating habits, and who for a time counts calories to become more aware of what they are actually eating (like journaling their calories for a few weeks, and seeing where they need to tweak things).
Did our ancestors count calories? Do animals count calories?
Fitnessfreakk366
Cathlete
I have counted calories for years and quite frankly I'm sick of it. I agree with Kathryn, if someone is relearning how to eat, then yes, I say you definitely must count. But for someone who has done it for a long period of time (like myself) you should be able to just eat sensibly and not worry about counting.
I've stopped counting for the most part. Every now and then I'll check myself and make sure I'm not eating too many carbs or calories. Most of the time when I check myself I'm right where I need to be.
I've stopped counting for the most part. Every now and then I'll check myself and make sure I'm not eating too many carbs or calories. Most of the time when I check myself I'm right where I need to be.
I count calories, otherwise, I tend to overeat. I'm a pretty healthy eater but I can overdo it portionwise so counting keeps me on track. I'm fairly used to it now and I feel more in control when I know how many calories I take in. That being said, usually once a week I'll go out to eat and have what I want without tracking and without really pigging out competely. It works for me.
FourAM
Cathlete
When I first started to try to change my diet I counted calories and food journaled obsessively. It made food all I could think about because when I was not eating it, I was planning my next meal and when I was not planning my next meal I was journalling my last one. It was terrible. The thought of eating consumed every thought of my day it seemed like. For me it was miserable.
I can not remember when or how I stopped doing it but I know that since I have stopped, it seems like I don't think about food as much and I do not stay hungry like before. I am not going to say that I do not make preparation for my meals. This way I am not slipping up all the time. I just try to keep it simple and as healthy as possible. You can over eat the healthy things too but it is a lot harder to do that.
~Rachel~
I can not remember when or how I stopped doing it but I know that since I have stopped, it seems like I don't think about food as much and I do not stay hungry like before. I am not going to say that I do not make preparation for my meals. This way I am not slipping up all the time. I just try to keep it simple and as healthy as possible. You can over eat the healthy things too but it is a lot harder to do that.
~Rachel~
SheWolf
Cathlete
I managed to gain 15 pounds over the past two years and after several attempts to lose it I started counting calories. Which was a wake up call as to just how much I was eating (no wonder I couldn't lose weight) Anyway, logging quickly drives me nuts so I stopped and cleaned up my eating, learning to eat intuitively and as of last weigh in I have managed to lose 7.4 pounds in the last 7 weeks without counting a single calorie.
AYLE09
Cathlete
I do count calories... but it's not so much for the calorie watching as for everything that goes along with it. I use Cathe's nutrition program and as I log food in it gives me a rundown of my vitamins, omegas, sodium, etc. Watching all that stuff can be too overwhelming so I prefer to let the system do it for me.
jenn
jenn
Bobbi-B
Cathlete
I use a bodybugg which counts the calories for me, but it does mean I log what I eat online. I've found that when I don't somehow keep track of what I eat, I eat more than I realize, and I slowly gain weight no matter how active I am.
Over the years, I have tracked my food (not necessarily calories) with written journals, Weight Watchers, and for the past 8 months, the bodybugg. Sure, I'd prefer not to, but I'd rather track what I eat and maintain my weight than have that slow creeping weight gain that I get.
Over the years, I have tracked my food (not necessarily calories) with written journals, Weight Watchers, and for the past 8 months, the bodybugg. Sure, I'd prefer not to, but I'd rather track what I eat and maintain my weight than have that slow creeping weight gain that I get.
Yes to counting
Be it calories, points or whatever, I know it helps from personal experience to be accountable. Then if you gain weight, you can tell why. After awhile, especially if your eating habits are like mine & you tend to eat the same stuff all the time, you don't have to count. I have a cheat day every week, and even count those calories. I know for a fact if the scale goes up it's because I went a little too nuts on the cheat day. That's where the Eat This Not That books come in handy - have ice cream, but make it the lower calorie/fat one. Have the Big Mac, but not the Whopper. My favorite new cheat day trick is to substitute a mixture of Chex Mix & Smart Pop popcorn (2 bags of popcorn to a medium size bag of Chex Mix) for potato chips. That satisfies my salty/crunchy craving.
Be it calories, points or whatever, I know it helps from personal experience to be accountable. Then if you gain weight, you can tell why. After awhile, especially if your eating habits are like mine & you tend to eat the same stuff all the time, you don't have to count. I have a cheat day every week, and even count those calories. I know for a fact if the scale goes up it's because I went a little too nuts on the cheat day. That's where the Eat This Not That books come in handy - have ice cream, but make it the lower calorie/fat one. Have the Big Mac, but not the Whopper. My favorite new cheat day trick is to substitute a mixture of Chex Mix & Smart Pop popcorn (2 bags of popcorn to a medium size bag of Chex Mix) for potato chips. That satisfies my salty/crunchy craving.
pink_fortitude
Banned
ITA!!! I have never ever counted calories, I did maybe a month of it a while ago, but I don't need the extra stress.
Besides, when we eat what are bodies were designed to eat (mostly plant based diet, legumes, no processed foods, etc.) it's aaaalll good for body and booty! Melissa
JeanneMarie
Cathlete
I am always fascinated reading about those who count calories. I have never counted a calorie in my life. I wouldn't even know where to start. I have no idea how many calories are in anything.
Having said that, I have also never had a weight problem. Maybe there's a correlation. I grew up with a mom who cooked healthy and instilled in my sister and I a great relationship with food. I can't ever remember worrying about my weight or what I ate.
Having said that, I have also never had a weight problem. Maybe there's a correlation. I grew up with a mom who cooked healthy and instilled in my sister and I a great relationship with food. I can't ever remember worrying about my weight or what I ate.
syzygy314
Cathlete
Of course our ancestors didn't count calories! For one thing, they didn't even know what calories were and for another, they didn't have cars, computers and video games. They walked or ran everywhere all the time, so who needed to watch what or when they ate back then? Even when the automobile was invented, they were only owned by the few rich who could afford them. People still walked a lot and were very active outdoors!
I used Lose It for the iPhone to count calories initially just until I understood better what my portions should be and what my foods contained that I was eating regularly. I haven't counted calories in maybe six months or so! Holding steady between 120 and 124!
I used Lose It for the iPhone to count calories initially just until I understood better what my portions should be and what my foods contained that I was eating regularly. I haven't counted calories in maybe six months or so! Holding steady between 120 and 124!