CC vs Not CC
Replies
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Most people end up on MFP because they couldn't eat intuitively and lose. If we could, we wouldn't need to be here in the first place. So imo most people should count calories while losing, and then loosen up on the counting in maintenance while monitoring their weight and measurements, and then start tracking again as needed.0
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OP -- I can understand the daunting task of not wanting to count calories for the rest of your life. It certainly doesn't appeal to me either. I personally counted calories when I was losing to help figure out how much I was eating and to adjust my micros (especially to hit my protein goals and watch my carbs). Once I got down to where I wanted to be, I don't tend to count calories unless I'm going through a very specific cut/bulk cycle.
The easiest way of eating I found that didn't require constant calorie counting was 5:2 (I've heard the same for keto and/or Paleo, but I prefer the flexibility of 5:2). When people get to maintenance, they tend to eat 6:1. I found that to be a very easy way to maintain and it really helped me to "retrain" myself on actual hunger, rather than habits, cravings, etc. So that may be one option for you when you're losing and/or in maintenance.0 -
As a short woman, I have little room for error. If I'm seriously committed to weight loss I count calories, calculate macros, weigh my food, and record everything. If my weight is under control and I want to do less, I eliminate sugar, fat, and unnecessary carbs.0
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DeguelloTex wrote: »
¿Qué?GaleHawkins wrote: »honeybee739 wrote: »There is so much conflicting info.
What is your opinion of losing weight by eating what you want within your calorie range vs whole foods eating/low carb/ etc without counting/tracking?
I don't mean filling your day full of junk food and eating 1500 calories of junk food. But if you want a sandwhich and you can "afford" it, you eat it. Also obviously eating fruits and veggies because they are healthy and lower in cals.
Has anyone tried both cc and then not and focusing on whole foods/low carb/paleo...etc basicall any lifestyle that doesnt focus on calories.
@honeybee739 welcome to MFP forums and you are are so correct about conflicting info.
Counting calories is without question new on the horizon because until relatively recently we did not even know the calories in foods. Its long term value will be known in time as a tool for the masses.
The bottom line is if there is NO counting every how does know how much they are eating and are the calories fitting the macro they are testing?
A practicing MD by the name of William Davis last year published Wheat Belly Total Health. It it the best book I have found in a medical sense that cuts through a lot of the conflicting diet info out there today.
Best of success with whatever plan for good health you want to try. In the end I have to weigh myself to know when I am gaining, losing or maintaining my weight. We that start out obese know good health is NOT just about weight loss.
If I have 100 pounds to lose do I want it to be 91 pounds of fat and 9 pounds of muscle or 58 pounds of fat and 42 pounds of muscles?
Counting calories only can give one either of the results above.
"Only counting calories can give one either of the muscle loss %" may have been more clear.
@DeguelloTex and @stevencloser the math above can be found in the second paragraph in the link below. Where one is counting calories to eat at a 200 or 750 calorie deficit the % of fat/muscle loss ration can be very different. This means there may be more to successful diets than just counting calories based on the Rockefeller University research.
"Ironically, severe calorie restrictions are unnecessary. A recent study showed that a group that maintained a 200-calorie-per-day deficit lost as much weight in six months as a group that maintained a 750-calorie-per-day deficit. The bottom line: if you want to lose fat, not muscle, a moderate diet plan is the only way to go."
pacifichealthlabs.com/blog/could-you-be-losing-muscle-instead-of-fat-heres-how-not-to-do-that/0 -
honeybee739 wrote: »There is so much conflicting info.
What is your opinion of losing weight by eating what you want within your calorie range vs whole foods eating/low carb/ etc without counting/tracking?
I don't mean filling your day full of junk food and eating 1500 calories of junk food. But if you want a sandwhich and you can "afford" it, you eat it. Also obviously eating fruits and veggies because they are healthy and lower in cals.
Has anyone tried both cc and then not and focusing on whole foods/low carb/paleo...etc basicall any lifestyle that doesnt focus on calories.
I've lost weight many times without calorie counting. When I am single, I naturally gravitate to lower calorie whole foods and rechannel my sexual energy into exercise.
Once I'm back in a relationship, it's Hello butter, sugar, flour; Goodbye gym. So I have to be more mindful. And that's where calorie counting is useful for me.0 -
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I've done both. I started by just cleaning up my diet and lost about 40 pounds that way. Now I track calories and micros.
So, I eat healthy food and I watch my calories. I do both. 0 -
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stevencloser wrote: »GaleHawkins wrote: »honeybee739 wrote: »There is so much conflicting info.
What is your opinion of losing weight by eating what you want within your calorie range vs whole foods eating/low carb/ etc without counting/tracking?
I don't mean filling your day full of junk food and eating 1500 calories of junk food. But if you want a sandwhich and you can "afford" it, you eat it. Also obviously eating fruits and veggies because they are healthy and lower in cals.
Has anyone tried both cc and then not and focusing on whole foods/low carb/paleo...etc basicall any lifestyle that doesnt focus on calories.
@honeybee739 welcome to MFP forums and you are are so correct about conflicting info.
Counting calories is without question new on the horizon because until relatively recently we did not even know the calories in foods. Its long term value will be known in time as a tool for the masses.
The bottom line is if there is NO counting every how does know how much they are eating and are the calories fitting the macro they are testing?
A practicing MD by the name of William Davis last year published Wheat Belly Total Health. It it the best book I have found in a medical sense that cuts through a lot of the conflicting diet info out there today.
Best of success with whatever plan for good health you want to try. In the end I have to weigh myself to know when I am gaining, losing or maintaining my weight. We that start out obese know good health is NOT just about weight loss.
If I have 100 pounds to lose do I want it to be 91 pounds of fat and 9 pounds of muscle or 58 pounds of fat and 42 pounds of muscles?
Counting calories only can give one either of the results above.
If you have 100 pounds to lose you don't have 42 pounds of muscles that you could lose without, you know, dying.
Maybe Gale read this in the book he is referencing. IDK
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It literally does not matter. As long as I'm in a calorie deficit, I lose weight. I eat pretty much whatever I want. Some days I might eat almost all vegetables, some I might eat mostly cookies. I've eaten a carb-heavy diet, I've eaten a low-carb diet. I've been able to do whatever I wanted to do with my weight as long as I kept count of my calories by weighing and logging all of my food.0
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UltimateRBF wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »honeybee739 wrote: »There is so much conflicting info.
What is your opinion of losing weight by eating what you want within your calorie range vs whole foods eating/low carb/ etc without counting/tracking?
I don't mean filling your day full of junk food and eating 1500 calories of junk food. But if you want a sandwhich and you can "afford" it, you eat it. Also obviously eating fruits and veggies because they are healthy and lower in cals.
Has anyone tried both cc and then not and focusing on whole foods/low carb/paleo...etc basicall any lifestyle that doesnt focus on calories.
I've lost weight many times without calorie counting. When I am single, I naturally gravitate to lower calorie whole foods and rechannel my sexual energy into exercise.
Once I'm back in a relationship, it's Hello butter, sugar, flour; Goodbye gym. So I have to be more mindful. And that's where calorie counting is useful for me.
Eew
Seriously, yes. what does that have to do with anything?-1 -
Counting Calories has taught me what Calories "look like". From measuring food, ect, I can now very accurately estimate how many calories are in that apple, ect when I see it. Before calorie counting I didn't know what 8oz of pork looked like.
I still count and update my diary,but that's more because I like the data it provides. Fiber, Protien, ect. I'm confident I could lose now without counting because I now know what calories look like.0 -
UltimateRBF wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »honeybee739 wrote: »There is so much conflicting info.
What is your opinion of losing weight by eating what you want within your calorie range vs whole foods eating/low carb/ etc without counting/tracking?
I don't mean filling your day full of junk food and eating 1500 calories of junk food. But if you want a sandwhich and you can "afford" it, you eat it. Also obviously eating fruits and veggies because they are healthy and lower in cals.
Has anyone tried both cc and then not and focusing on whole foods/low carb/paleo...etc basicall any lifestyle that doesnt focus on calories.
I've lost weight many times without calorie counting. When I am single, I naturally gravitate to lower calorie whole foods and rechannel my sexual energy into exercise.
Once I'm back in a relationship, it's Hello butter, sugar, flour; Goodbye gym. So I have to be more mindful. And that's where calorie counting is useful for me.
Eew
Why be demeaning?
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Counting calories allows me to be precise enough to lose weight slowly. I have successfully lost weight using other methods, but typically I have done it fairly quickly. Unhealthily quickly perhaps.0
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mtbiker1069 wrote: »Counting Calories has taught me what Calories "look like". From measuring food, ect, I can now very accurately estimate how many calories are in that apple, ect when I see it. Before calorie counting I didn't know what 8oz of pork looked like.
I still count and update my diary,but that's more because I like the data it provides. Fiber, Protien, ect. I'm confident I could lose now without counting because I now know what calories look like.
This. Because of spending time weighing and logging, I'm now much better at estimating what I'm eating and can make better decisions about what I eat. I don't actually use the scale much anymore, I don't want to be dependant on it. I do pull it out from time to time to double check myself, but that's really it at this point. And now, I feel like I'm better equipped to control what and how much I eat, and can avoid some of the things that made me gain weight in the first place.0 -
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UltimateRBF wrote: »goldthistime wrote: »UltimateRBF wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »honeybee739 wrote: »There is so much conflicting info.
What is your opinion of losing weight by eating what you want within your calorie range vs whole foods eating/low carb/ etc without counting/tracking?
I don't mean filling your day full of junk food and eating 1500 calories of junk food. But if you want a sandwhich and you can "afford" it, you eat it. Also obviously eating fruits and veggies because they are healthy and lower in cals.
Has anyone tried both cc and then not and focusing on whole foods/low carb/paleo...etc basicall any lifestyle that doesnt focus on calories.
I've lost weight many times without calorie counting. When I am single, I naturally gravitate to lower calorie whole foods and rechannel my sexual energy into exercise.
Once I'm back in a relationship, it's Hello butter, sugar, flour; Goodbye gym. So I have to be more mindful. And that's where calorie counting is useful for me.
Eew
Why be demeaning?
What?
For that matter, why would someone interject their sex life into every post possible?
I haven't noticed that, so perhaps that explains your reaction to a certain point. But I think if I had posted something personal and someone replied "eew" I would be quite hurt.
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UltimateRBF wrote: »goldthistime wrote: »UltimateRBF wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »honeybee739 wrote: »There is so much conflicting info.
What is your opinion of losing weight by eating what you want within your calorie range vs whole foods eating/low carb/ etc without counting/tracking?
I don't mean filling your day full of junk food and eating 1500 calories of junk food. But if you want a sandwhich and you can "afford" it, you eat it. Also obviously eating fruits and veggies because they are healthy and lower in cals.
Has anyone tried both cc and then not and focusing on whole foods/low carb/paleo...etc basicall any lifestyle that doesnt focus on calories.
I've lost weight many times without calorie counting. When I am single, I naturally gravitate to lower calorie whole foods and rechannel my sexual energy into exercise.
Once I'm back in a relationship, it's Hello butter, sugar, flour; Goodbye gym. So I have to be more mindful. And that's where calorie counting is useful for me.
Eew
Why be demeaning?
What?
For that matter, why would someone interject their sex life into every post possible?
I agree with goldthistime. It seems unnecessarily disrespectful.0 -
kshama2001 wrote: »honeybee739 wrote: »There is so much conflicting info.
What is your opinion of losing weight by eating what you want within your calorie range vs whole foods eating/low carb/ etc without counting/tracking?
I don't mean filling your day full of junk food and eating 1500 calories of junk food. But if you want a sandwhich and you can "afford" it, you eat it. Also obviously eating fruits and veggies because they are healthy and lower in cals.
Has anyone tried both cc and then not and focusing on whole foods/low carb/paleo...etc basicall any lifestyle that doesnt focus on calories.
I've lost weight many times without calorie counting. When I am single, I naturally gravitate to lower calorie whole foods and rechannel my sexual energy into exercise.
Once I'm back in a relationship, it's Hello butter, sugar, flour; Goodbye gym. So I have to be more mindful. And that's where calorie counting is useful for me.
I've actually thought about this, given my ups and downs over the years often correlate with single/not single/serious relationship vs dating.
I'm thinking the perfect situation is a weekend SO. Then I'll want to look good naked, and I've got six days of energy to spend on it.
So sorry if that's TMI for some of you!
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kshama2001 wrote: »honeybee739 wrote: »There is so much conflicting info.
What is your opinion of losing weight by eating what you want within your calorie range vs whole foods eating/low carb/ etc without counting/tracking?
I don't mean filling your day full of junk food and eating 1500 calories of junk food. But if you want a sandwhich and you can "afford" it, you eat it. Also obviously eating fruits and veggies because they are healthy and lower in cals.
Has anyone tried both cc and then not and focusing on whole foods/low carb/paleo...etc basicall any lifestyle that doesnt focus on calories.
I've lost weight many times without calorie counting. When I am single, I naturally gravitate to lower calorie whole foods and rechannel my sexual energy into exercise.
Once I'm back in a relationship, it's Hello butter, sugar, flour; Goodbye gym. So I have to be more mindful. And that's where calorie counting is useful for me.
I've actually thought about this, given my ups and downs over the years often correlate with single/not single/serious relationship vs dating.
I'm thinking the perfect situation is a weekend SO. Then I'll want to look good naked, and I've got six days of energy to spend on it.
So sorry if that's TMI for some of you!
I've totally seen this too -- I think it's really common for many people. I saw this happen just the other day with a good friend of mine. He and his girl had been having issues for a while (like the previous year) and then all of sudden, she got on a major health kick -- taking off the 10-20 lbs she'd gained with him. He was all stoked by how hot she was getting. I told him, "dude, she's getting back to her hunting weight -- she's about the break up with you." He didn't believe it. 6 weeks later, he's single.
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Some need to count, others don't. I am one of those people that finds I overeat if I don't count, so even if I'm not accurately logging everything I still keep a rough idea in my head based on my years of experience counting calories
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At least it's a change from the yoga recommendations.goldthistime wrote: »UltimateRBF wrote: »goldthistime wrote: »UltimateRBF wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »honeybee739 wrote: »There is so much conflicting info.
What is your opinion of losing weight by eating what you want within your calorie range vs whole foods eating/low carb/ etc without counting/tracking?
I don't mean filling your day full of junk food and eating 1500 calories of junk food. But if you want a sandwhich and you can "afford" it, you eat it. Also obviously eating fruits and veggies because they are healthy and lower in cals.
Has anyone tried both cc and then not and focusing on whole foods/low carb/paleo...etc basicall any lifestyle that doesnt focus on calories.
I've lost weight many times without calorie counting. When I am single, I naturally gravitate to lower calorie whole foods and rechannel my sexual energy into exercise.
Once I'm back in a relationship, it's Hello butter, sugar, flour; Goodbye gym. So I have to be more mindful. And that's where calorie counting is useful for me.
Eew
Why be demeaning?
What?
For that matter, why would someone interject their sex life into every post possible?
I haven't noticed that, so perhaps that explains your reaction to a certain point. But I think if I had posted something personal and someone replied "eew" I would be quite hurt.
OP, find what works for you. If that's not tracking calories, good on you.
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lindsey1979 wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »honeybee739 wrote: »There is so much conflicting info.
What is your opinion of losing weight by eating what you want within your calorie range vs whole foods eating/low carb/ etc without counting/tracking?
I don't mean filling your day full of junk food and eating 1500 calories of junk food. But if you want a sandwhich and you can "afford" it, you eat it. Also obviously eating fruits and veggies because they are healthy and lower in cals.
Has anyone tried both cc and then not and focusing on whole foods/low carb/paleo...etc basicall any lifestyle that doesnt focus on calories.
I've lost weight many times without calorie counting. When I am single, I naturally gravitate to lower calorie whole foods and rechannel my sexual energy into exercise.
Once I'm back in a relationship, it's Hello butter, sugar, flour; Goodbye gym. So I have to be more mindful. And that's where calorie counting is useful for me.
I've actually thought about this, given my ups and downs over the years often correlate with single/not single/serious relationship vs dating.
I'm thinking the perfect situation is a weekend SO. Then I'll want to look good naked, and I've got six days of energy to spend on it.
So sorry if that's TMI for some of you!
I've totally seen this too -- I think it's really common for many people. I saw this happen just the other day with a good friend of mine. He and his girl had been having issues for a while (like the previous year) and then all of sudden, she got on a major health kick -- taking off the 10-20 lbs she'd gained with him. He was all stoked by how hot she was getting. I told him, "dude, she's getting back to her hunting weight -- she's about the break up with you." He didn't believe it. 6 weeks later, he's single.
LOL at hunting weight!
A shame live-in situations are so easy to get comfy in and rarely as long term as they seem at the time!0 -
True. Patterns before break ups often contradict expectations. Like people often are shocked to discover an increase in their partner's sex drive was actually a sign of cheating.lindsey1979 wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »honeybee739 wrote: »There is so much conflicting info.
What is your opinion of losing weight by eating what you want within your calorie range vs whole foods eating/low carb/ etc without counting/tracking?
I don't mean filling your day full of junk food and eating 1500 calories of junk food. But if you want a sandwhich and you can "afford" it, you eat it. Also obviously eating fruits and veggies because they are healthy and lower in cals.
Has anyone tried both cc and then not and focusing on whole foods/low carb/paleo...etc basicall any lifestyle that doesnt focus on calories.
I've lost weight many times without calorie counting. When I am single, I naturally gravitate to lower calorie whole foods and rechannel my sexual energy into exercise.
Once I'm back in a relationship, it's Hello butter, sugar, flour; Goodbye gym. So I have to be more mindful. And that's where calorie counting is useful for me.
I've actually thought about this, given my ups and downs over the years often correlate with single/not single/serious relationship vs dating.
I'm thinking the perfect situation is a weekend SO. Then I'll want to look good naked, and I've got six days of energy to spend on it.
So sorry if that's TMI for some of you!
I've totally seen this too -- I think it's really common for many people. I saw this happen just the other day with a good friend of mine. He and his girl had been having issues for a while (like the previous year) and then all of sudden, she got on a major health kick -- taking off the 10-20 lbs she'd gained with him. He was all stoked by how hot she was getting. I told him, "dude, she's getting back to her hunting weight -- she's about the break up with you." He didn't believe it. 6 weeks later, he's single.
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CC is one method to lose weight. For those of us who have a propensity to eat too much, CC is very important. Without it, chances are we will just keep putting on weight. CC is not necessary to maintain a good weight, but if we are overweight for non-medical and non-temporary reasons (e.g. get fat after major surgery and work it off naturally after recovery), chances are CC is a important component to weight loss.
Eating natural and good food is not necessary for weight loss. It can be very useful to living a healthy life. Eating healthy food is very important. However, it is not necessary to lose weight. For most of us CC and healthy foods are both important so we can loose weight and be healthy. Unless one's goal is merely to loose weight, the quality of the calories eaten are also important.0 -
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I'm still laughing about the "hunting weight" description. Brilliant :laugh:
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I calorie count because to ensure I can do this for life, I need to put treats into my day. Without calorie counting I have no clue if I can fit a couple lollies into my day or if I can have some icecream after dinner. I am stuck to eating "diet food" to "guess" that i'll lose weight. This leads to me eventually going "*kitten* it, if I have to eat like this forever i'd rather get fat" and eating whatever I want. Calorie counting means I get to eat whatever I want, but just not whenever I want - which I can do quite easily.
Also, when I started I didn't have much to lose, so I had to accept a low loss rate to ensure i'm still eating enough. When your error margin is small, it's hard to make sure you are on track.0 -
GaleHawkins wrote: »A practicing MD by the name of William Davis last year published Wheat Belly Total Health. It it the best book I have found in a medical sense that cuts through a lot of the conflicting diet info out there today.
Wheat belly is just another fad diet thought up by one person.0
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