Figured out how to lose without counting

Leana088

I think I've figured out how to lose/maintain without counting calories. Of course this isn't for everyone so I'm just sharing.

I've been counting and measuring for 2.5 years and I'm pretty good with eye balling portions by now. But focussing on calories so much has made me a bit OCD and it starts to stress me out when I eat out with other people. So I need to chill a bit and lose without counting...

My lunch always clocks in around 600-800 calories so I don't worry much around that, but for my other meals, I've devised recipes that all have the same calorie count. I have for breakfast for example, 10 different meal options, but they all have the same amount of calories, and a good deal of protein. Same for my snacks and for dinner.

So now I don't have to count, I can just choose an option from the menu!

Of course, when I get bored, I can just think of new options and plug them into MFP to make sure they are within the range.

So essentially now I'm controlling my calories without really counting them. Or weighing anymore. I will however brush up on the weighing every few months just to make sure I don't over/underdo it. And weekly weigh ins will now happen as well.

Just thought I'd share.

SueInAz

So you're still really counting calories you just have it set on autopilot. Nice!

leggup

You're still counting calories. I do the same thing now, but with a food scale. I only have a few different lunches and breakfasts.

That said, the area where this could become a problem/stressor if you are legitimately obsessive compulsive is if your day is derailed by an event or unanticipated food. People are constantly fretting on MFP over work events and unanticipated happy hour. If you ONLY eat the same 10 combinations for dinner, you're going to miss out on a lot of social events.

ana3067

britishbroccoli wrote: »

You're still counting calories. I do the same thing now, but with a food scale. I only have a few different lunches and breakfasts.

That said, the area where this could become a problem/stressor if you are legitimately obsessive compulsive is if your day is derailed by an event or unanticipated food. People are constantly fretting on MFP over work events and unanticipated happy hour. If you ONLY eat the same 10 combinations for dinner, you're going to miss out on a lot of social events.

I was just going to post about this. Having some set meals for EASY logging is awesome, but this just seems like another way of getting obsessive over it all.

Might be best to just eat food in portions that you know tend to work well for you for specific foods, and monitor your weight on the scale, If you aren't losing then make your meals smaller or use less of the calorie dense stuff.

I was only able to lose without logging while eating in itty bitty plates and working out way too much... and cutting out all of the good calorie-dense foods that make life enjoyable lol.

Leana088

britishbroccoli wrote: »

You're still counting calories. I do the same thing now, but with a food scale. I only have a few different lunches and breakfasts.

That said, the area where this could become a problem/stressor if you are legitimately obsessive compulsive is if your day is derailed by an event or unanticipated food. People are constantly fretting on MFP over work events and unanticipated happy hour. If you ONLY eat the same 10 combinations for dinner, you're going to miss out on a lot of social events.

Yeah, but I've started telling myself that I will just get back on track tomorrow. So yes I won't be counting those either, but I know what a lighter meal looks like. So I'll just have one the next day then.

Also my social events are typically scheduled around lunch, which is my biggest meal of the day. So most of the time when I go out I do have some calories to use. The problem started where I would worry about the nutritional info of food that is not posted online, but that's fine now.

The point of this is, yes, I'm still counting calories. But I'm not thinking about them. Instead of seeing 300 calories for breakfast, I now see lean bacon with 2 eggs. So I'm still controlling them, but I'm not thinking about the numbers.

SLLRunner

Leana088 wrote: »

I think I've figured out how to lose/maintain without counting calories. Of course this isn't for everyone so I'm just sharing.

I've been counting and measuring for 2.5 years and I'm pretty good with eye balling portions by now. But focussing on calories so much has made me a bit OCD and it starts to stress me out when I eat out with other people. So I need to chill a bit and lose without counting...

My lunch always clocks in around 600-800 calories so I don't worry much around that, but for my other meals, I've devised recipes that all have the same calorie count. I have for breakfast for example, 10 different meal options, but they all have the same amount of calories, and a good deal of protein. Same for my snacks and for dinner.

So now I don't have to count, I can just choose an option from the menu!

Of course, when I get bored, I can just think of new options and plug them into MFP to make sure they are within the range.

So essentially now I'm controlling my calories without really counting them. Or weighing anymore. I will however brush up on the weighing every few months just to make sure I don't over/underdo it. And weekly weigh ins will now happen as well.

Just thought I'd share.

Thank you for sharing this, Leena. It sounds like you've got it down.

Leana088

ana3067 wrote: »

britishbroccoli wrote: »

You're still counting calories. I do the same thing now, but with a food scale. I only have a few different lunches and breakfasts.

That said, the area where this could become a problem/stressor if you are legitimately obsessive compulsive is if your day is derailed by an event or unanticipated food. People are constantly fretting on MFP over work events and unanticipated happy hour. If you ONLY eat the same 10 combinations for dinner, you're going to miss out on a lot of social events.

I was only able to lose without logging while eating in itty bitty plates and working out way too much... and cutting out all of the good calorie-dense foods that make life enjoyable lol.

What?! Nooooo!!! Lol.

I worked in treats as well. I've set a total 1200 calorie budget (10% of my total calories for the week) for treats. Once a week I will buy 1 container of treats that fit that amount (this is the only time I will check calories). Then I can have them when I choose. Only thing is, I need to make them last the whole week. I can have more the next week.

I tend to eat the same stuff anyhow. And I've planned out lots of variations of my favourite meals too. So I think I'll be good. Like I said, if boredom hits, I can always dedicate one day to creativity and finding new options that fit the numbers.

SandyCoils

Hey, this is awesome! Good for you. But like you said, it took 2 1/2 years of being consistent, and in that time you have put in the work studying and implementing the things you have learned. Congrats to you! To me, that is just as awesome as loosing the weight.

PeachyCarol

That sounds like a really great work around for your situation. Congratulations!

Leana088

SandyCoils wrote: »

Hey, this is awesome! Good for you. But like you said, it took 2 1/2 years of being consistent, and in that time you have put in the work studying and implementing the things you have learned. Congrats to you! To me, that is just as awesome as loosing the weight.

That's true. But eventually you will learn what the correct portion looks like too. I'm just a slow learner, I tend to not give much attention to anything I do. But if you pay attention to what it looks like you can train your eyes to recognize it.

Of course, you can also do this while still weighing as someone else above mentioned. That's if the numbers start bothering you as they did me.

I mean, I didn't even see an egg anymore, all I saw when I looked at one was 71 calories. Lol

eldamiano

How exciting.....(?)

ana3067

Leana088 wrote: »

ana3067 wrote: »

britishbroccoli wrote: »

You're still counting calories. I do the same thing now, but with a food scale. I only have a few different lunches and breakfasts.

That said, the area where this could become a problem/stressor if you are legitimately obsessive compulsive is if your day is derailed by an event or unanticipated food. People are constantly fretting on MFP over work events and unanticipated happy hour. If you ONLY eat the same 10 combinations for dinner, you're going to miss out on a lot of social events.

I was only able to lose without logging while eating in itty bitty plates and working out way too much... and cutting out all of the good calorie-dense foods that make life enjoyable lol.

What?! Nooooo!!! Lol.

I worked in treats as well. I've set a total 1200 calorie budget (10% of my total calories for the week) for treats. Once a week I will buy 1 container of treats that fit that amount (this is the only time I will check calories). Then I can have them when I choose. Only thing is, I need to make them last the whole week. I can have more the next week.

I tend to eat the same stuff anyhow. And I've planned out lots of variations of my favourite meals too. So I think I'll be good. Like I said, if boredom hits, I can always dedicate one day to creativity and finding new options that fit the numbers.

Yeah but you're still counting calories, just passively. I said when I wasn't counting, but mine was 100% not counting.

You're going to have to regularly revisit calories as your weight loss slows down and/or your change your weight loss goals. Or once you get into maintenance. I personally find it easier to just eat whatever I want and monitor the calories (i'd hate having to stick to the same calorie count every meal.. actually I did that for MONTHS and it didn't work for me) to make sure I'm not over, so if this method doesn't work long-term or you need to recalculate your caloric needs then that could be another method to try. I don't log meals to meet a certain calorie allotment other than in the evening, but even then sometimes it's done to make sure I actually meet my calorie needs, not to make sure I do't exceed them haha.

spannerbee2014

Hi, Could I ask what your breakfast option are please? I am trying to find different breakfast variations as I am getting bored, but I am finding it hard. Thank you

elisa123gal

I applaud you..thanks! And you are NOT counting calories.. you've truly changed your lifestyle so you're not thinking about every single thing you eat. I think counting calories for a while is a great way to educate oneself on where they've gone wrong. But counting calories as a declared way of life... is just as obsessive, to me, as binge eating…each a disorder in their own right.

Meals shouldn't be a math.
.

Leana088

ana3067 wrote: »

Leana088 wrote: »

ana3067 wrote: »

britishbroccoli wrote: »

You're still counting calories. I do the same thing now, but with a food scale. I only have a few different lunches and breakfasts.

That said, the area where this could become a problem/stressor if you are legitimately obsessive compulsive is if your day is derailed by an event or unanticipated food. People are constantly fretting on MFP over work events and unanticipated happy hour. If you ONLY eat the same 10 combinations for dinner, you're going to miss out on a lot of social events.

I was only able to lose without logging while eating in itty bitty plates and working out way too much... and cutting out all of the good calorie-dense foods that make life enjoyable lol.

What?! Nooooo!!! Lol.

I worked in treats as well. I've set a total 1200 calorie budget (10% of my total calories for the week) for treats. Once a week I will buy 1 container of treats that fit that amount (this is the only time I will check calories). Then I can have them when I choose. Only thing is, I need to make them last the whole week. I can have more the next week.

I tend to eat the same stuff anyhow. And I've planned out lots of variations of my favourite meals too. So I think I'll be good. Like I said, if boredom hits, I can always dedicate one day to creativity and finding new options that fit the numbers.

Yeah but you're still counting calories, just passively. I said when I wasn't counting, but mine was 100% not counting.

You're going to have to regularly revisit calories as your weight loss slows down and/or your change your weight loss goals. Or once you get into maintenance. I personally find it easier to just eat whatever I want and monitor the calories (i'd hate having to stick to the same calorie count every meal.. actually I did that for MONTHS and it didn't work for me) to make sure I'm not over, so if this method doesn't work long-term or you need to recalculate your caloric needs then that could be another method to try. I don't log meals to meet a certain calorie allotment other than in the evening, but even then sometimes it's done to make sure I actually meet my calorie needs, not to make sure I do't exceed them haha.

But then I'm still thinking about the numbers and logging it everyday. The reason this seems to work is because I don't think about it everyday anymore. Yes, I had to have one day where that's all I focussed on while planning these meals. And I will have such a day again when I hit maintenance. (I will be able to lose all my weight at a reasonable pace while sticking to this specific goal, so the next change in menu will be for maintenance.)

Other than those days, I can just focus on the meal itself and not on the numbers. They are not at the forefront of my mind at every meal, but I'm vaguely aware of them this way. I don't think I can just go 100% without logging. There needs to be some sort of structure to maintain this long term.

I understand there needs to be some flexibility esspecially for social events. Like I said above, I will just enjoy that meal and not worry about it. The next day I will just have a lighter meal to balance it out a little. It takes 3500calories to gain a pound (I'm making myself remember this so I don't freak out), and a burger is not 3500 calories....depending on how much bacon you take with it...

Leana088

spannerbee2014 wrote: »

Hi, Could I ask what your breakfast option are please? I am trying to find different breakfast variations as I am getting bored, but I am finding it hard. Thank you

I have a few but they are only 250-300 calories. I like to save a lot for lunch and dinner.

Here are some anyway:

1 cup fat free cottage cheese with 1 fruit.
1 piece of wholewheat toast with 2 scrambled eggs.
1 serving (I know the serving size so you might have to check) of oatmeal mixed with 1 scoop of whey.
A serving of cereal with low fat milk and half a serving of whey/1/2 cup cottage cheese on the side
85grams (or half of a packet in my case) lean bacon with 2 large eggs.
Fat free greek yoghurt, topped with muesli/granola and berries.
1 piece of toast with a tablespoon of guacamole and bacon.

Eeek. I can't remember the rest. Lol. Too many of them. I'm not at home right now, walking.

GaleHawkins

It is a little like when we first started to drive we had to watch the speedometer all of the time then we learned to 'sense' how we were doing. Good job.