What do you like about counting calories?

holly55555

Everyone always complains about it, but let's list some positives about counting!

I like that I can lose weight and eat chocolate and drink wine without sabotaging myself!

TheVirgoddess

I like the knowledge, control and options it gives me.

It's fun for me to sit down in the morning with my coffee and plan my day - see where I can fit treats or tater tots (I LOVE TATER TOTS) or whatever it is I'm wanting. Making it all work.

It's also been really nice to, for the first time in my life, really understand food and nutrition.

girlviernes

I like it when things are FEWER calories than I thought, like goat cheese and pretty much every vegetable.

I like being able to compare my intake to my losses over time and get a good idea of what I actually burn in a day.

I like being able to eat any food I like without worrying if it will screw up my diet.

I like the reality check that keeps me focused so I don't eat just any food at any time.

jnv7594

I just find it freeing. I used to think that the only way I could lose weight was to cut out my favorite deserts and restrict fat. I have learned that's not true, and that I can eat anything I want and fit it into my calories. I honestly wish I would have known it could be this simple years ago.

segacs

Ooh, good question!

I like it because I'm a data geek. If someone had told me years ago that losing weight was all about math, I would've done this ages ago.

ana3067

I don't have to guess or use exercise to lose weight. If I'm not losing or if I were to gain I'd know why and how to change it.

DKG28

i'm rediscovering cooking because I can make tastier, lower-cal versions of pre-packaged food. I actually didn't cry chopping onions today because I've done it so much lately I'm building a tolerance!

counting calories is utterly logical to me, and that's the way I like to think.

it leads me to mindful eating - overall greater enjoyment of flavors and textures replacing enjoyment of sheer quantity.

trina1049

I like knowing how much I can eat each day depending on whether I exercise or not. I like know that I don't have to be hungry because I can play with the calorie numbers to fit the foods I love into my daily plan. I like the control. I'm really happy that I educated myself about nutrition and how losing weight works. I never truly understood it before. I like figuring out my macros and understanding which macro mix works best for me.

Lord knows, I've tried every diet there is. Thanks to MFP I can reach maintenance (only 10lbs away now) and never yo-yo again.

epido

I like the end result of having my body continue to shrink - because honestly, I don't enjoy counting calories. It's simply a necessary thing I must do to succeed.

arditarose

I feel in control. And I feel LESS guilty about eating food, because if I'm eating it then I know I can have it and still be losing or maintaining weight.

cheshirecatastrophe

Very specifically, I like the MFP system of counting calories up to a daily target that pretty much guarantees you won't gain weight as long as you're honest.

Just "counting calories" on my own has gotten me into trouble, as I start competing with myself to eat less than the day before...every day.

And, of course, can't argue with the results.

annaheyoolay

I love it! I look at it like a puzzle, trying to hit my macros and micros each day. I especially love figuring out what my after dinner snack will be, sometimes I get ice cream because I have a lot of calories left but need calcium, sometimes it's a handful of shredded wheat for the iron.

amf0324

I love the maths. It all just adds up to weight lost.

segacs

annaheyoolay wrote: »

I love it! I look at it like a puzzle, trying to hit my macros and micros each day. I especially love figuring out what my after dinner snack will be, sometimes I get ice cream because I have a lot of calories left but need calcium, sometimes it's a handful of shredded wheat for the iron.

I do this too. I look at what I'm low on for the day and make my snack fit those macros and micros. The only difference is that I like to plan my snacks in advance along with the rest of my day, so I know I can look forward to, say, chocolate on Monday, popcorn on Tuesday, etc. The anticipation makes it taste better.

karyabc

because i get to eat a lot and never feel guilty!

AmyRhubarb

TheVirgoddess wrote: »

I like the knowledge, control and options it gives me.

It's fun for me to sit down in the morning with my coffee and plan my day - see where I can fit treats or tater tots (I LOVE TATER TOTS) or whatever it is I'm wanting. Making it all work.

It's also been really nice to, for the first time in my life, really understand food and nutrition.

Pretty much exactly what I was gonna say.

mgalsf12

I like the results I see on the scale and in my wardrobe.

Sharon_C

I like the feeling of being in control. When I don't count calories I feel like my eating is out of control.

AndreaEIE

I like knowing how much I have to "spend" and how much I need to workout in order to "afford" a certain food. I love the options and control!

Mech9

It gives me an excuse to use my phone at the dinner table. :]

ovinas1

It actually makes me aware of foods you thought where good are bad. Foods you thought where bad are good.

For the headstrong(I don't need to ask for directions) it just a great self teaching tool.