Is calorie counting really a lifetime/long term solution?

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Replies

  • harpsdesire
    harpsdesire Posts: 190 Member
    By counting calories I've learned that if I 'spend' 85% of my daily calories on healthful foods (nutrient dense and lower calorie things like veggies and lean meat) I can not be hungry, eat 15% treats and enjoy every bite without guilt, and still lose weight.

    I do think that counting is teaching my body and brain what things and amounts I should be eating, what hunger and satiety should feel like, and I hope I may someday be able to switch to a more intuitive eating style. Right now though, my intuition isn't very well aligned with reality, so that's not a good lifestyle choice for me at all.
  • quintoespada
    quintoespada Posts: 58 Member
    it isn't a be all end all, but i will tell you this: i've lost 80 lbs. doing it with exercise alongside. you should probably try it and see what it does for you. your insecurities are only going to stall you and you might just regret that.
  • feisty_bucket
    feisty_bucket Posts: 1,047 Member
    I do think that counting is teaching my body and brain what things and amounts I should be eating, what hunger and satiety should feel like, and I hope I may someday be able to switch to a more intuitive eating style. Right now though, my intuition isn't very well aligned with reality, so that's not a good lifestyle choice for me at all.

    Really well-said, cool.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    rybo wrote: »
    I feel sorry for anyone who has to count calories forever.

    And, I feel sorry for someone who makes such a judgmental statement. ;)


    judging-300x297.jpg

    Nobody has to do anything. Whether or not to count calories, and for how long to count or not to count them, is 100% choice.
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    Is it so awful to feel bad for a person who has to count calories forever? I don't see how saying that is insulting.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    jemhh wrote: »
    Is it so awful to feel bad for a person who has to count calories forever? I don't see how saying that is insulting.

    Right......

    Nobody HAS to do anything. It's a choice.
  • PeachyCarol
    PeachyCarol Posts: 8,029 Member
    edited April 2015
    jemhh wrote: »
    Is it so awful to feel bad for a person who has to count calories forever? I don't see how saying that is insulting.

    It's as awful to me personally as it was when this guy I went on a date with asked me how it felt to be handicapped because I wore glasses.

    People are entitled to think how they want, of course, but it's pretty judgmental to place moral value on some people's need to use a tool to keep them in line with meeting a goal they'd like to meet.

    I look at calorie counting as a means of implementing an instinctive behavior that I should have that I don't. Just as I need an aide to implement normal vision, I need an aid to implement a calorie intake that maintains normal body weight for my height and age. I'm choosing to use calorie counting for that. I shouldn't be judged for it.

    Not everyone is able to develop intuitive behavior. What's wrong with admitting that and knowing it about yourself?

  • Lexicpt
    Lexicpt Posts: 209 Member
    edited April 2015
    Takes 30 seconds out of my day to log.
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    jemhh wrote: »
    Is it so awful to feel bad for a person who has to count calories forever? I don't see how saying that is insulting.

    It's as awful to me personally as it was when this guy I went on a date with asked me how it felt to be handicapped because I wore glasses.

    People are entitled to think how they want, of course, but it's pretty judgmental to place moral value on some people's need to use a tool to keep them in line with meeting a goal they'd like to meet.

    I look at calorie counting as a means of implementing an instinctive behavior that I should have that I don't. Just as I need an aide to implement normal vision, I need an aid to implement a calorie intake that maintains normal body weight for my height and age. I'm choosing to use calorie counting for that. I shouldn't be judged for it.

    Not everyone is able to develop intuitive behavior. What's wrong with admitting that and knowing it about yourself?

    Well the glasses guy sounds a bit off but I guess I don't see the calorie counting comment as placing a moral value on anything. A man I know broke his leg recently and is supposed to go to Italy on vacation next week. I feel bad for him that he has to deal with a broken leg while on vacation. It's an awful thing for me to think that?
  • DeguelloTex
    DeguelloTex Posts: 6,652 Member
    jemhh wrote: »
    jemhh wrote: »
    Is it so awful to feel bad for a person who has to count calories forever? I don't see how saying that is insulting.

    It's as awful to me personally as it was when this guy I went on a date with asked me how it felt to be handicapped because I wore glasses.

    People are entitled to think how they want, of course, but it's pretty judgmental to place moral value on some people's need to use a tool to keep them in line with meeting a goal they'd like to meet.

    I look at calorie counting as a means of implementing an instinctive behavior that I should have that I don't. Just as I need an aide to implement normal vision, I need an aid to implement a calorie intake that maintains normal body weight for my height and age. I'm choosing to use calorie counting for that. I shouldn't be judged for it.

    Not everyone is able to develop intuitive behavior. What's wrong with admitting that and knowing it about yourself?

    Well the glasses guy sounds a bit off but I guess I don't see the calorie counting comment as placing a moral value on anything. A man I know broke his leg recently and is supposed to go to Italy on vacation next week. I feel bad for him that he has to deal with a broken leg while on vacation. It's an awful thing for me to think that?
    How does logging food relate to having a broken leg?
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  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    edited April 2015
    Mr_Knight wrote: »
    Judging from the number of "I'm ba-ack!" threads, it's reasonable to guess that no, calorie counting isn't a viable lifetime solution for a significant number of people.

    You presume they continued calorie counting. That's a major presumption.

    No, I presumed they STOPPED calorie counting. Hence the conclusion that it wasn't a "lifetime solution" for them. Because if it was a "lifetime solution", they wouldn't have stopped.

  • TimothyFish
    TimothyFish Posts: 4,925 Member
    jemhh wrote: »
    Is it so awful to feel bad for a person who has to count calories forever? I don't see how saying that is insulting.

    I don't see anything awful about that at all. I too feel sorry for people who have to count calories forever. For that matter, I feel sorry for people who weight their food. Is that sorrow misplaced? Could be. Some people get pleasure out of journaling and recording everything that happens in their lives. I don't. But saying that I feel sorry for them isn't an insult, it just expresses that I would find it very difficult if I was forced to do the same thing.
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    jemhh wrote: »
    jemhh wrote: »
    Is it so awful to feel bad for a person who has to count calories forever? I don't see how saying that is insulting.

    It's as awful to me personally as it was when this guy I went on a date with asked me how it felt to be handicapped because I wore glasses.

    People are entitled to think how they want, of course, but it's pretty judgmental to place moral value on some people's need to use a tool to keep them in line with meeting a goal they'd like to meet.

    I look at calorie counting as a means of implementing an instinctive behavior that I should have that I don't. Just as I need an aide to implement normal vision, I need an aid to implement a calorie intake that maintains normal body weight for my height and age. I'm choosing to use calorie counting for that. I shouldn't be judged for it.

    Not everyone is able to develop intuitive behavior. What's wrong with admitting that and knowing it about yourself?

    Well the glasses guy sounds a bit off but I guess I don't see the calorie counting comment as placing a moral value on anything. A man I know broke his leg recently and is supposed to go to Italy on vacation next week. I feel bad for him that he has to deal with a broken leg while on vacation. It's an awful thing for me to think that?
    How does logging food relate to having a broken leg?

    I'm just trying to figure out how saying "I feel bad that a person has to XYZ" is a bad thing. I'm not trying to be argumentative or contrary. People seem very offended by that phrasing. I recognize that I am not a very emotion-driven person so I'm trying to understand.
  • leggup
    leggup Posts: 2,942 Member
    I've been weighing and logging for 14 months so far. It's helped me lose about 68 lbs. I log my food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on weekdays. On weekends I sometimes estimate when we eat out. Sometimes I plan a day where I know I'll probably go over on calories and I try to trim back during the week. I'm not turning down invitations because I'm calorie counting. It's more about making myself aware that when i have a 4,000 calorie day, it should be one day, not 3. I prioritize food and drink to make sure it's worth it.

    That said, the closer I get to my goal (~8 lbs to go!), the more lenient I am going to be. I plan to always weigh myself at least once a week, probably 2 times a week to check in on myself. I will probably take 2-3 day breaks from weighing every bite and see how the scale changes. If the weight goes up over a few weeks, back to logging everything.

    I have never had binge eating issues, so I don't know how helpful this is to you. My issue with weight gain has always been related to portion control of rich foods (brie, chocolate, bread).
  • DeguelloTex
    DeguelloTex Posts: 6,652 Member
    jemhh wrote: »
    jemhh wrote: »
    jemhh wrote: »
    Is it so awful to feel bad for a person who has to count calories forever? I don't see how saying that is insulting.

    It's as awful to me personally as it was when this guy I went on a date with asked me how it felt to be handicapped because I wore glasses.

    People are entitled to think how they want, of course, but it's pretty judgmental to place moral value on some people's need to use a tool to keep them in line with meeting a goal they'd like to meet.

    I look at calorie counting as a means of implementing an instinctive behavior that I should have that I don't. Just as I need an aide to implement normal vision, I need an aid to implement a calorie intake that maintains normal body weight for my height and age. I'm choosing to use calorie counting for that. I shouldn't be judged for it.

    Not everyone is able to develop intuitive behavior. What's wrong with admitting that and knowing it about yourself?

    Well the glasses guy sounds a bit off but I guess I don't see the calorie counting comment as placing a moral value on anything. A man I know broke his leg recently and is supposed to go to Italy on vacation next week. I feel bad for him that he has to deal with a broken leg while on vacation. It's an awful thing for me to think that?
    How does logging food relate to having a broken leg?

    I'm just trying to figure out how saying "I feel bad that a person has to XYZ" is a bad thing. I'm not trying to be argumentative or contrary. People seem very offended by that phrasing. I recognize that I am not a very emotion-driven person so I'm trying to understand.
    My guess is that implies some sort of defect or problem, when those doing it don't necessarily see doing so as a defect or problem. It's implicit condescension and it's fairly easy, for me, to understand how some people would find that offensive.

    "I feel sorry for people who are short," for example.

  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    jemhh wrote: »
    jemhh wrote: »
    jemhh wrote: »
    Is it so awful to feel bad for a person who has to count calories forever? I don't see how saying that is insulting.

    It's as awful to me personally as it was when this guy I went on a date with asked me how it felt to be handicapped because I wore glasses.

    People are entitled to think how they want, of course, but it's pretty judgmental to place moral value on some people's need to use a tool to keep them in line with meeting a goal they'd like to meet.

    I look at calorie counting as a means of implementing an instinctive behavior that I should have that I don't. Just as I need an aide to implement normal vision, I need an aid to implement a calorie intake that maintains normal body weight for my height and age. I'm choosing to use calorie counting for that. I shouldn't be judged for it.

    Not everyone is able to develop intuitive behavior. What's wrong with admitting that and knowing it about yourself?

    Well the glasses guy sounds a bit off but I guess I don't see the calorie counting comment as placing a moral value on anything. A man I know broke his leg recently and is supposed to go to Italy on vacation next week. I feel bad for him that he has to deal with a broken leg while on vacation. It's an awful thing for me to think that?
    How does logging food relate to having a broken leg?

    I'm just trying to figure out how saying "I feel bad that a person has to XYZ" is a bad thing. I'm not trying to be argumentative or contrary. People seem very offended by that phrasing. I recognize that I am not a very emotion-driven person so I'm trying to understand.

    It's not a bad thing - people just looking for reasons to jump on each other.

    The thought of having to count calories ad infinitum is depressing - I sure as heck don't want to do it and hope I get to a point where I don't have to. If it turns out I simply *have* to calorie count forever, I certainly hope my friends feel a little empathy for me, because that would suck.

    If there are people who like calorie counting - :drinker: - that's great! - I'm happy for them. But it sure as heck isn't something *I* want to have to do until they put me in the big toaster and spread my ashes.
  • PeachyCarol
    PeachyCarol Posts: 8,029 Member
    jemhh wrote: »
    jemhh wrote: »
    Is it so awful to feel bad for a person who has to count calories forever? I don't see how saying that is insulting.

    It's as awful to me personally as it was when this guy I went on a date with asked me how it felt to be handicapped because I wore glasses.

    People are entitled to think how they want, of course, but it's pretty judgmental to place moral value on some people's need to use a tool to keep them in line with meeting a goal they'd like to meet.

    I look at calorie counting as a means of implementing an instinctive behavior that I should have that I don't. Just as I need an aide to implement normal vision, I need an aid to implement a calorie intake that maintains normal body weight for my height and age. I'm choosing to use calorie counting for that. I shouldn't be judged for it.

    Not everyone is able to develop intuitive behavior. What's wrong with admitting that and knowing it about yourself?

    Well the glasses guy sounds a bit off but I guess I don't see the calorie counting comment as placing a moral value on anything. A man I know broke his leg recently and is supposed to go to Italy on vacation next week. I feel bad for him that he has to deal with a broken leg while on vacation. It's an awful thing for me to think that?

    A broken leg is a hardship. Calorie counting isn't for everyone who undertakes it.

  • PeachyCarol
    PeachyCarol Posts: 8,029 Member
    Mr_Knight wrote: »
    Mr_Knight wrote: »
    Judging from the number of "I'm ba-ack!" threads, it's reasonable to guess that no, calorie counting isn't a viable lifetime solution for a significant number of people.

    You presume they continued calorie counting. That's a major presumption.

    No, I presumed they STOPPED calorie counting. Hence the conclusion that it wasn't a "lifetime solution" for them. Because if it was a "lifetime solution", they wouldn't have stopped.

    Oooookay, I would assume a "lifetime solution" would be one they actually implemented for life. We just have different ways of looking at the phrase.

  • PeachyCarol
    PeachyCarol Posts: 8,029 Member
    Mr_Knight wrote: »
    jemhh wrote: »
    jemhh wrote: »
    jemhh wrote: »
    Is it so awful to feel bad for a person who has to count calories forever? I don't see how saying that is insulting.

    It's as awful to me personally as it was when this guy I went on a date with asked me how it felt to be handicapped because I wore glasses.

    People are entitled to think how they want, of course, but it's pretty judgmental to place moral value on some people's need to use a tool to keep them in line with meeting a goal they'd like to meet.

    I look at calorie counting as a means of implementing an instinctive behavior that I should have that I don't. Just as I need an aide to implement normal vision, I need an aid to implement a calorie intake that maintains normal body weight for my height and age. I'm choosing to use calorie counting for that. I shouldn't be judged for it.

    Not everyone is able to develop intuitive behavior. What's wrong with admitting that and knowing it about yourself?

    Well the glasses guy sounds a bit off but I guess I don't see the calorie counting comment as placing a moral value on anything. A man I know broke his leg recently and is supposed to go to Italy on vacation next week. I feel bad for him that he has to deal with a broken leg while on vacation. It's an awful thing for me to think that?
    How does logging food relate to having a broken leg?

    I'm just trying to figure out how saying "I feel bad that a person has to XYZ" is a bad thing. I'm not trying to be argumentative or contrary. People seem very offended by that phrasing. I recognize that I am not a very emotion-driven person so I'm trying to understand.

    It's not a bad thing - people just looking for reasons to jump on each other.

    The thought of having to count calories ad infinitum is depressing - I sure as heck don't want to do it and hope I get to a point where I don't have to. If it turns out I simply *have* to calorie count forever, I certainly hope my friends feel a little empathy for me, because that would suck.

    If there are people who like calorie counting - :drinker: - that's great! - I'm happy for them. But it sure as heck isn't something *I* want to have to do until they put me in the big toaster and spread my ashes.

    I'm one of those who actually likes it. I feel all mathy and nerdy when I weigh out my food and log it. I like the numbers aspect of it and the rationality of the math.

    I realize that not everyone is like me, of course. And that's cool. I just would like everyone to be like you and realize that for some of us, it's no big deal to calorie count.

  • Allelito
    Allelito Posts: 179 Member
    rybo wrote: »
    I feel sorry for anyone who has to count calories forever.

    Calorie counting is a MUCH simpler way for me to take care of myself physically and love how I look than to keep gaining, feeling terrible, start over with losing weight for months, restart cycle. I sacrifize a couple of minutes every day to not have to spend months of feeling terrible because I gained all the weight back.
    Just like taking care of your hygiene by brushing your teeth, taking a shower, washing clothes.. Calorie counting is like any other everyday routine thing for me and for many others.
    Idk, I know I don't feel sorry for people who "has" to brush their teeth every day.
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    Calorie counting has worked best for me. I've tried not counting calories and was not able to lose and maintain weight loss with other methods. If I could intuitively eat then I probably wouldn't have gotten so overweight.
    I am not a binge eater. I imagine that not severely restricting types of food and just reducing calories and dealing with your emotions without food might help though.
    I don't know if I will have to log everything I consume for the rest of my life but until I reach my goal I probably will. I 've found the last 6 months of calorie counting to be a ridiculously easy way to lose weight.
    I can imagine that after a couple of years of eating normal food but tracking calories that I will have learned calorie counts of foods, appropriate portion sizes and types of food that fit my goals best. So I think what I'm learning will be used for a lifetime but not necessarily weighing and logging food every day until I die.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    jemhh wrote: »
    jemhh wrote: »
    Is it so awful to feel bad for a person who has to count calories forever? I don't see how saying that is insulting.

    It's as awful to me personally as it was when this guy I went on a date with asked me how it felt to be handicapped because I wore glasses.

    People are entitled to think how they want, of course, but it's pretty judgmental to place moral value on some people's need to use a tool to keep them in line with meeting a goal they'd like to meet.

    I look at calorie counting as a means of implementing an instinctive behavior that I should have that I don't. Just as I need an aide to implement normal vision, I need an aid to implement a calorie intake that maintains normal body weight for my height and age. I'm choosing to use calorie counting for that. I shouldn't be judged for it.

    Not everyone is able to develop intuitive behavior. What's wrong with admitting that and knowing it about yourself?

    Well the glasses guy sounds a bit off but I guess I don't see the calorie counting comment as placing a moral value on anything. A man I know broke his leg recently and is supposed to go to Italy on vacation next week. I feel bad for him that he has to deal with a broken leg while on vacation. It's an awful thing for me to think that?

    Temporary vs. permanent, though. People who adjust to or find a permanent condition normal probably don't feel good about or comfortable with the idea that others pity them, so on the whole I think telling someone you pity them for something that is just how they are is rude. I mean, I probably do feel bad for dumb people, but I would never tell someone I feel really bad that he has to live with a sub-par intelligence or some such. Comments like "I'm really sorry that you can't appreciate good music" similarly are clearly intended to be insulting or condescending.

    I don't really care since I think it's a funny thing to pity someone for (calorie counting, I mean) and sure, while I'm not convinced I will specifically calorie count (as opposed to employ other forms of mindful eating/judging quantity beyond simply eating what I like and "listening to my body"), I kind of wish I were one of these people who never had to think about it. But in the scheme of things I'm awfully lucky and privileged, so if someone wants to feel bad for me I'll take it!
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    jemhh wrote: »
    jemhh wrote: »
    jemhh wrote: »
    Is it so awful to feel bad for a person who has to count calories forever? I don't see how saying that is insulting.

    It's as awful to me personally as it was when this guy I went on a date with asked me how it felt to be handicapped because I wore glasses.

    People are entitled to think how they want, of course, but it's pretty judgmental to place moral value on some people's need to use a tool to keep them in line with meeting a goal they'd like to meet.

    I look at calorie counting as a means of implementing an instinctive behavior that I should have that I don't. Just as I need an aide to implement normal vision, I need an aid to implement a calorie intake that maintains normal body weight for my height and age. I'm choosing to use calorie counting for that. I shouldn't be judged for it.

    Not everyone is able to develop intuitive behavior. What's wrong with admitting that and knowing it about yourself?

    Well the glasses guy sounds a bit off but I guess I don't see the calorie counting comment as placing a moral value on anything. A man I know broke his leg recently and is supposed to go to Italy on vacation next week. I feel bad for him that he has to deal with a broken leg while on vacation. It's an awful thing for me to think that?
    How does logging food relate to having a broken leg?

    I'm just trying to figure out how saying "I feel bad that a person has to XYZ" is a bad thing. I'm not trying to be argumentative or contrary. People seem very offended by that phrasing. I recognize that I am not a very emotion-driven person so I'm trying to understand.
    My guess is that implies some sort of defect or problem, when those doing it don't necessarily see doing so as a defect or problem. It's implicit condescension and it's fairly easy, for me, to understand how some people would find that offensive.

    "I feel sorry for people who are short," for example.

    Yes, a much better way of putting what I was trying to say. I should read all the posts before commenting.
  • MoiAussi93
    MoiAussi93 Posts: 1,948 Member
    jemhh wrote: »
    Is it so awful to feel bad for a person who has to count calories forever? I don't see how saying that is insulting.

    I don't see anything awful about that at all. I too feel sorry for people who have to count calories forever. For that matter, I feel sorry for people who weight their food. Is that sorrow misplaced? Could be. Some people get pleasure out of journaling and recording everything that happens in their lives. I don't. But saying that I feel sorry for them isn't an insult, it just expresses that I would find it very difficult if I was forced to do the same thing.

    I agree. It just seems like unnecessary work to me. I think of it as a training tool...something I am using temporarily to figure out the best way to eat long term. A good thing to use to teach me the fine points of portion sizes and macros. But I do find it to be a bit of an annoyance. I have never even used a food scale...I can't even imagine weighing everything I eat.

    Now, if other people don't find this annoying and plan to use it forever, then I'm happy it works for them and wish them long term success. But I don't think it's awful to say I wish they didn't have to.
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    Mr_Knight wrote: »
    Mr_Knight wrote: »
    Judging from the number of "I'm ba-ack!" threads, it's reasonable to guess that no, calorie counting isn't a viable lifetime solution for a significant number of people.

    You presume they continued calorie counting. That's a major presumption.

    No, I presumed they STOPPED calorie counting. Hence the conclusion that it wasn't a "lifetime solution" for them. Because if it was a "lifetime solution", they wouldn't have stopped.

    Oooookay, I would assume a "lifetime solution" would be one they actually implemented for life. We just have different ways of looking at the phrase.

    I have no idea what you're trying to say.

    There was a claim that calorie counting is a "lifetime solution". I pointed out that many MFPers start out believing that and acting that way, but end up ditching it. Therefore calorie counting is not a sustainable solution for many, therefore by definition can't be considered a "lifetime solution" for many.

    You took issue with my statements, which is totally fine, but I have no idea why or what you're trying to say. If I had to guess, there's a no true scotsman argument buried in there, but honestly, I'm just guessing.




  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    ...telling someone you pity them...

    Now hold on a second - you're the only person in this thread to use the word "pity".

    Feeling sorry for someone - feeling empathy for their situation - is not the same as pitying someone.
  • DeguelloTex
    DeguelloTex Posts: 6,652 Member
    Mr_Knight wrote: »
    Mr_Knight wrote: »
    Mr_Knight wrote: »
    Judging from the number of "I'm ba-ack!" threads, it's reasonable to guess that no, calorie counting isn't a viable lifetime solution for a significant number of people.

    You presume they continued calorie counting. That's a major presumption.

    No, I presumed they STOPPED calorie counting. Hence the conclusion that it wasn't a "lifetime solution" for them. Because if it was a "lifetime solution", they wouldn't have stopped.

    Oooookay, I would assume a "lifetime solution" would be one they actually implemented for life. We just have different ways of looking at the phrase.

    I have no idea what you're trying to say.

    There was a claim that calorie counting is a "lifetime solution". I pointed out that many MFPers start out believing that and acting that way, but end up ditching it. Therefore calorie counting is not a sustainable solution for many, therefore by definition can't be considered a "lifetime solution" for many.

    You took issue with my statements, which is totally fine, but I have no idea why or what you're trying to say. If I had to guess, there's a no true scotsman argument buried in there, but honestly, I'm just guessing.



    You continually try to equate "can be" with "is." In multiple threads.

    She is saying, as I understand it, if used for a lifetime then calorie counting can be a solution. Or, worded differently, even if it needs to be used for a lifetime, it can be a solution.
  • girlviernes
    girlviernes Posts: 2,402 Member
    Tatarataa wrote: »
    Hi,

    I am always so insecure about what method for weight loss I should apply, especially as I have got issues with emotional eating/binge eating. I have tried intuitive eating several times and always failed and also other methods like eating certain foods only or restricting eating to certain times...so far the calorie counting was working best for me. However, I am insecure as many therapists and weight loss experts and also especially the intuitive eating authors and community account calorie counting responsible for most binge eating problems. What do you think and what is your experience? Is calorie counting a lifetime solution? I am almost ready to think so and give it a go (and of course at the meantime try to work on my binge eating as well)....I just need some supporters that can tell me "yes" you can decide for calorie couning and NOT feel deprived but free by doing it and relying on it forever!

    Many thanks for your answers,
    Tata

    I think that if you have an eating disorder background, the thing to watch out for is getting obsessive about calorie counting and that leading to increased anxiety. I have a binge eating background, and I actually find calorie counting is very helpful for me. This is in part because I tend to be impulsive and lose focus (rather than obsessive and with high anxiety). So, counting for me helps me to stay focused and planful. It helps me make sure to eat the right amount each day. It allows me to have flexibility in my food choices. For example, I can eat out, I can have treats, and account for them in my counting.

    I think calorie counting is more likely to cause problems for people who are high anxiety and a tendency towards obsessiveness. If this is the case, you may need to purposefully do things to combat that, like make sure to eat enough food each day, even if you feel anxious about it, to occassionally take days or meals off of counting to decrease the obsessiveness about, to challenge yourself to eat a variety of foods especially "scary" ones on a regular basis, etc. I think if you have had a legitimate weight problem such as have been in the obese category, calorie counting should be considered to help you to manage the problem, but there are these challenges involved in something which may increase what is already hyperfocus on food choices and amounts. If you have not had a significant weight problem, then I don't think the calorie counting is worth it for this personality type.
  • sandryc79
    sandryc79 Posts: 250 Member
    I have a history of binge eating and bulemia. Calorie counting is working really well for me this time around because I am using a different perspective.

    1. I set my weight loss rate goal at a level that allows me to eat a sustainable amount of food. I can't be very hungry all the time. That Makes Me Binge.

    2. No food is off limits. There are a lot of unhealthy foods I cut out of my daily consumption but if I really want something, I have some. I also work really hard to make my regular food filling and delicious. I have significant culinary skill so I am having fun experimenting with new flavor.

    3. I only weight once a month. Seeing the fluxuations on the scale used to cause me to panic and "compensate" with a lot of unhealthy behavior that was ultimately very unsuccessful. The first 2 months I had my boyfriend hide my scale. That caused anxiety (what if I don't lose) but was ultimately really good for my perspective. The scale is out now, and I only track official results monthly.

    4.Once a month I have a "reward" day. This is not a binge. I usually have mexican food wi T have all the chips I want and a margarita. I roughly still track but I don't worry about being a few thousand calories over my normal daily. Often when I have had the urge to binge thinking about how I will be getting the reward day motivates me not to.

    5. I cut myself a break. Every day is a new day. No need to punish myself because I am committed to changing my relationship with food for the rest of my life.

    6. No more focus on a weight goal. This is not a destination. Some people may be able to lose weight and keep it off without counting. I think those people never had the degree of weight problem I do. Much like an alcoholic, I won't ever be able to consume whatever I have the urge for without sliding back into old habits and old results. I am planning on counting what I eat and being physically active forever. Accepting that makes the tracking calories pretty much a daily task like another mentioned. I don't resent brushing my teeth or taking a shower every day. How I feel now that I am healthy and more active is well worth the daily task.