When Calorie Counting Just Clicks (ranty because I just need to get it out there)

rachelbouc

I'm a recovering Weight Watchers addict that started calorie counting in March. I never felt satisfied on WW which may have been due on their focus on lowfat and it always seemed like they steered you clear of high fat foods (their simply filling technique promotes fat free or low fat foods). I also had noticed that I was eating a lot of carbs. Not that carbs are bad it any way, but I noticed that I way never really satisfied and that may be way. I'd choose fruit (which was free) over an egg or some cheese because I didn't want to spend the points. I'm not saying that WW doesn't work. I lost my first 100 pounds on it, but it was hard for me to maintain the weight loss because I knew all of the tricks. I would measure out 14 gm of peanut butter for 2 pts when another gram made it 3 pts.
Now it has changed. The only way I can cheat with counting calories is if I don't track. It's simple. Calories go up in a linear fashion instead of an exponential one (which drove me insane in the end). I can also see how my marcos are laid out during the day. And because of that I've been naturally leaning towards the low carb, high fat, high protein perspective. And I'm FULL and within my calories most of the time! I also love that I can just read a package to see if I should but it instead of getting out my points calculator to see if I should. Exercise seems more rewarding too because of the linear fashion that the calories are earned.
It's just so simple. Why make something so more complex than it has to?
On that note. My diary is opened and I always welcome suggestions.

jaga13

I've never been on WW, so this is definitely eye opening. I did hear that fruit was free, and at one point I adopted that mantra personally, but then realized nothing in life is free

And I completely agree about exercise. A friend (who isn't even on MFP) said something about tracking her steps and "earning" her glass of wine that night. That's what made it click for me. Although I had signed up with MFP years ago, I returned this year and I love moving more to earn more food!

nvmomketo

I'm glad you found a way of eating (lower carb, high fat) that works for you, and that you found success with calorie counting. Once you find the way that works for you, it all falls into place effortlessly, doesn't it?

I did WW about 12 years ago to lose baby weight. I didn't have much success on it either.

The one thing I am thankful To WW for was opening my eyes to what serving sizes are by volume or weight. That was the main lesson I took from WW.

crazyjerseygirl

I think the reason why WW seems complicated is because it's from a time when calorie counting wasn't easy. You had to keep paper diaries, do math, it took time and was annoying. With apps like MFP you can count on a smart phone that's always with you. Logging is easier now.

Here4Ponies

I also tried WW several times. Would lose the first 10lbs pretty quickly but was starving most of the time. Having to calculate Points was much more time consuming than tracking calories. And the reliance on fake food like artificial sweeteners drove me nuts.

supersocks117

So exciting it clicked!