Another question...

M

Min Dear

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Thanks Abear for _all_ of your help! But I have another question for anyone out there:

Is it necessary to count calories to lose weight? I've done it before and I only felt starved, confused, and very frustrated.

If it's necessary to lose weight I'll just tough it, but I want to know if it's really such a big deal.

So far I'm working on gradually changing my habits to what Abear said would be good, and even after a day I really feel very good. But if I have to do something more to lose weight, I will do it.

Min Dear :confused:
 
Well you need a calorie deficit in order to lose weight...so ideally you should count calories, to the extent of knowing if your meeting your deficit goal or not. This doesn't mean you have to do this forever. Just until you settle into a meal routine. Its at lot easier to stick to proper eating and 'dieting' if you come up with several meal plans, and just rotate thorough them.

I have eggs almost every day, typically scrambled egg whites with a few yolks. Some days I have them with a bit of salt and pepper, other days I have an oriental hot sauce...and still other days I break out curry. It helps the same food 'feel' different, and variety is important. But you'll know how big your serving sizes need to be to maintain your deficit. Then you're just watching the portions and not every little calorie. That's a lot easier to do, so it's just a matter of time and a little effort.
 
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Counting calories is difficult and knowing how many you need is even more difficult. A lot depends on your body and what you do each day. If you spend 2 hours exercising each day you will need extra calories, obviously.
Most people know what they ned to do to lose weight but haven't got the will to carry it through.
Simple answer is eat a balanced diet, a few less calories than you need and do some aerobic exercise every day.
If after a couple of weeks you aren't losing weight then you are probably eating too much.
Eat small meals every 2-4 hours.
Avoid excess fat, especially trans-fat, alcohol, fast food.
Plenty of fruit and veg with meat. Drink plenty of water.
Plan to lose weight slowly it will stay off longer. Long term changes to your exercise and diet regimes are the way to go.
alanm
 
no, you dont need to count calories to lose weight. i find things are easier when i do, some find its easier when they dont. :)
 
No, you don't need to count cal's. You do need to know what to eat and what not to eat and when to eat and when not to eat.

Avoid processed sugars, fast food, and soda. Common sense stuff. Eat frequenly about every 3 hrs. Drink plenty of water. That the basics.

There are tons of diets out there. You may find one that fits your needs, or you may not. For it to work permanantly, it will demand a change in how you live your life.

Start looking into "clean eating" , abear has a basic grocery list for you and be sure to combine exercise into the equation.

Good luck.
 
Maybe I wasn't clear in my reply. No, you shouldn't have to count calories. But, if you don't know the nutritional make up of your food, it can be hard to know if you're getting the right calorie intake. Thus a week or two of 'loose' calorie counting might help...but in actuality knowing the grams of protien, carbs, and fat you consume is a better way to gauge this.
 
THANK you all so, so, so, so, SO much!! I can't even explain to you how excited I am. I just hope this works!!

Finally! I'll look good in jeans!!!

lol

Min Dear
 
Agree with Malkore in last post. This will help you figure out where you are. Then once you are on a good schedule for a couple weeks you can go by feel.
 
Calories Count

Yes, it is tedious at first to count calories. However, calories ARE the currency of weight management. Counting calories serves many purposes:

1. It makes you aware of what you are eating and the nutritional value of the food items.

2. It makes you aware of how much you are eating. To lose weight, you have to expend more energy than you take in from food.

3. It keeps you focused on the goal of better health and less body fat.

Listen, we all tend to eat the same basic foods day after day. Take the time to learn about the portion sizes and calorie content of the foods you typically eat. After a couple of weeks, you will have them memorized. Then, anytime you add a new food to your diet, learn it's nutrient content.

I can tell you from experience, clients that took the time to count calories and learn about portion sizes were significantly more successful than those that just "winged it".

If you are absolutely opposed to counting calories, go with the 3 fists rule. Have a balanced meal every 3-4 hours consisting of 1 fistful of a lean protein, 1 fistful of a fruit or vegetable, and 1 fistful of a starchy carbohdrate. If you eat one of these balanced meals and you end up hungry before your next scheduled meal three hours later, make sure and slightly increase the portion sizes so that you do not get hungry for at least three hours.

Of course that is a brief explanation, so if you have questions, don't hesitate to contact me.

Heath
 
Well, so far I'm pretty sure I've made plenty of errors. But as I go I'm learning more and more, and especially thanks to you guys. I've already adjusted my calorie intake to 2000 per day, but I think I'm ready to take this even more seriously and go down to something like 1,400. And then, of course, I'd up my exercise. I've already started thinking in calories, and now the next step is to start thinking about what portions am I taking, is it a "clean" food, and am I eating the right combination.

I really am enjoying this so far, and since I'm on my Christmas break I have two whole weeks to get used to a routine. This is really wonderful and I feel really good, and I feel like I'm not gorging myself anymore. I love the feeling of waking up sore in the morning! ;)

Min Dear
 
Don't forget if you start exercising you will need extra energy hence extra calories. The advantage of exercise is that it tones and builds muscles. Aids your metabolism, strengthens your heart.etc. All good stuff.
The long and short of it is if you need 1500 calories for everyday life and you want to lose 1lb a weight eat approximately 1000 calories a day. 1lb of fat equates to 3500 calories (7X500). If you intend exercising (which is definitely recommended) for say 1/2 a hour you will need to eat about 1250 calories a day.
1lb a week seems to be the recommended healthy target.
Looking at your figures you may be overdoing the dieting. If you have already cut down on your calorie intake and intend cutting down another 600 a day then exercising on top of that??
Take it slowly. The slower it comes off the longer it will stay off because you will have probably made long term changes to your lifestyle.
Losing weight and getting fitter is all common sense. Most people know what to do, but don't have the will power or determination to do anything about it.

Good luck
alanm
 
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