calorie counting is not my strong suit
- Thread starter shbullock
- Start date
I posted this in the other thread where you asked this question:
While cleaning up a diet will surely benefit your health, and probably even help in weight loss, calories are what dictate weight unfortunately. I don't think anyone likes doing it, but if you want to know FOR SURE that you are heading in the right direction nutritionally, counting calories is a must.
If you absolutely hate the idea of doing this you can start by making healthy food selections and see where your weight heads. If you are not losing, start eating less. Without counting calories though, there really is no science to know what you are doing.
Have you looked into sites such as
While cleaning up a diet will surely benefit your health, and probably even help in weight loss, calories are what dictate weight unfortunately. I don't think anyone likes doing it, but if you want to know FOR SURE that you are heading in the right direction nutritionally, counting calories is a must.
If you absolutely hate the idea of doing this you can start by making healthy food selections and see where your weight heads. If you are not losing, start eating less. Without counting calories though, there really is no science to know what you are doing.
Have you looked into sites such as
M2M
New member
I agree with Stroutman - counting calories is the number one way I've lost weight this year.
There's fitday as he mentioned, and both make it VERY easy to keep track of calories, nutrition and fitness.
I personally went into counting calories kicking and screaming - I in NO way wanted to devote "that much time" to it... I'm glad I did. Not only did it put me in the driver seat for each and every meal, I could then add things not on a "sanctioned" diet - it gave me the freedom to make the choices I wanted so long as I stayed within my calorie range.
It helped me know why I was retaining water when I would go back and check my sodium levels for the last 4 days....
Knowledge is power, and it puts the power in YOUR hands. You're in control
That being said, if you truly choose not to, you can do things to reduce. Drink more water, chew gum or go brush your teeth when you want to snack - do for a walk when you're feeling like you want to graze. Eat smaller portions, eat your larger meal mid day instead of late night.
But IMO, nothing makes losing weight and getting fit easier then knowing what's going in.
There's fitday as he mentioned, and both make it VERY easy to keep track of calories, nutrition and fitness.
I personally went into counting calories kicking and screaming - I in NO way wanted to devote "that much time" to it... I'm glad I did. Not only did it put me in the driver seat for each and every meal, I could then add things not on a "sanctioned" diet - it gave me the freedom to make the choices I wanted so long as I stayed within my calorie range.
It helped me know why I was retaining water when I would go back and check my sodium levels for the last 4 days....
Knowledge is power, and it puts the power in YOUR hands. You're in control
That being said, if you truly choose not to, you can do things to reduce. Drink more water, chew gum or go brush your teeth when you want to snack - do for a walk when you're feeling like you want to graze. Eat smaller portions, eat your larger meal mid day instead of late night.
But IMO, nothing makes losing weight and getting fit easier then knowing what's going in.
M2M
New member
Well, I wish you the best in finding what works well for you I know when I first started, it helped to keep a little notebook with me and I would just jot down what I ate throughout the day then in the evening I'd input into
Finding what works, for the long term for you is what's important
I know when I first started, it helped to keep a little notebook with me and I would just jot down what I ate throughout the day then in the evening I'd input into Finding what works, for the long term for you is what's important
niapage
New member
Howdy, Welcome and goodluck to ya.I have counted
calories and have been pleased with the results so far.
It isn't as hard as people think at 1st you may not be familiar
on what has how many calories in it but after a week or so you
kind of get used to it and you can just look at something and know
how much you can have without reading lables ect.Especially
fave meals and snack it just becomes easier each day.
3 days a week is very good to start with and eventually work up
to atleast 5 days a week of some type of working out for better
quicker results.Goodluck to ya and you can do it,Tammy
calories and have been pleased with the results so far.
It isn't as hard as people think at 1st you may not be familiar
on what has how many calories in it but after a week or so you
kind of get used to it and you can just look at something and know
how much you can have without reading lables ect.Especially
fave meals and snack it just becomes easier each day.
3 days a week is very good to start with and eventually work up
to atleast 5 days a week of some type of working out for better
quicker results.Goodluck to ya and you can do it,Tammy
ToothlessFerret
New member
Sticking my neck out for the guillotine again! Let me first state: yes calorie counting IS the best way to lose weight (if accompanied by increased activity). It does shine the light on what can be a tortuous and misleading path. However, with plenty of sense, it is possible to lose weight without religiously carrying a calorie countbook, and calculator around with you. I did. However, I do respect that the best scientific and quantitative method of losing weight is by cal counting.
Its just that I don't like it when calorie counting discludes nutrient rich foods from the diet. If its good for the health, then its good enough for me.
Its just that I don't like it when calorie counting discludes nutrient rich foods from the diet. If its good for the health, then its good enough for me.
Much agreed. If counting calories meant, for one, that he/she would not stick to a nutrition strategy due to his/her hatred toward the act of counting calories, I would recommend not doing it, haha.
For most though, they can easily be taught how to do it with relative ease.
And of course you don't HAVE to count them to lose weight. But you do HAVE to be in a caloric deficit to lose weight. Knowing that, calories are pretty important IMO.
Really, you don't NEED to do it. IMO, you should, but for every person that says that, you will find another that says you don't have to.
Either path you choose, the bottom line is creating a caloric deficit. That is the constant that must be present. On the Counting Calorie Path you can assure yourself that you are in a calorie deficit by tracking the numbers. It also becomes easier to track your macro and mirconutrients since you are already keeping tabs on your food.
On the No Counting Calorie Path, you will not be positive if you are in a caloric deficit or not. However, you can toy around with your portions and food quanitities until weight loss occurs.
The choice is that simple really. Both paths must lead to the same thing for weight loss to occur. That is all. Good luck to ya.
I agree about not having to count them. I've been melting away fat left and right for 3 months and I have no clue as to how many calories I eat. I feel great, I'm not hungry, and I'm meeting all of my goals, so I'm not real worried about it. Actually I could care less. Personally I just don't think it's a pre-requisite like alot of people think. I think calorie counting would be extremely important if you've tried to lose weight without counting calories, but you can't, you weren't successful, and you don't know what's going on. Otherwise, I don't see much point. If you are able to eat more natural foods and "listen" to your body, you can be successful without counting a single calorie. If you have trouble doing that... sure, counting is probably going to be mandatory.
Derwyddon1
New member
Well hey, do me a personal favor. Record everything you consume for a week or two. Try your best to put those things into fitday at the end of the day. It sucks, but do it just for a little while... it'll really open your eyes! When i first started counting, I was shocked at how much I was bringing in!
shrimpe123
New member
I never count calories!
Counting calories is the one thing that will drive me crazy. I usually just manage my portions, and estimate the approximate caloric intake. That seems to work for me. It's ok to be off by a few in the end!
Counting calories is the one thing that will drive me crazy. I usually just manage my portions, and estimate the approximate caloric intake. That seems to work for me. It's ok to be off by a few in the end!