is it possible to lose weight without counting calories?

cwolfman13

Nerdycurls wrote: »

What kind of programs do people follow to be consistent?

I don't follow any kind of program...I simply focus my diet around whole foods and meals prepared from scratch, whole ingredients or minimally processed food stuffs (i.e. canned tomatoes for sauces and whatnot). I eat 6-8 servings of veg and fruit per day...emphasis on veg and a serving or two of fruit...I eat plenty of whole grains, legumes, lentils, whole food starches, lean sourced protein, and healthy fats from things like nuts and avocados and cooking with olive oil, avocado oil, and coconut oil. Regular exercise is a big part of my life.

I'm consistent because I enjoy feeding my body with awesomeness and I love to workout (namely cycle and lift). I'm pretty stinkin' good in the kitchen and I enjoy cooking so no issues there...and contrary to popular belief, healthy doesn't have to mean boring or bland.

Things like eating out and "junk" food are occasional indulgences, not daily occurrences. Though I do enjoy a nice craft brew.

enterdanger

I've only been successful losing weight when I count calories. I've read lots of studies that say that people who are able to lose weight eating intuitively have better success keeping the weight off. I wish I was someone who could do that, but I'm too good at lying to myself about the state of my calorie intake. I'd like to get there some day.

Francl27

Of course you can. The question really is how easy it is to maintain if you don't.. Almost anyone can lose weight by just cutting high calorie foods.

SaraLikesSunsets

enterdanger wrote: »

I've only been successful losing weight when I count calories. I've read lots of studies that say that people who are able to lose weight eating intuitively have better success keeping the weight off. I wish I was someone who could do that, but I'm too good at lying to myself about the state of my calorie intake. I'd like to get there some day.

Oh, okay. I actually have had some success with both. Though I'll admit it is harder when you're not counting calories.

Domicinator

I would say if you're overweight to severely overweight and live in America, you probably just simply aren't programmed to be able to do this. They don't teach us that skill here. I would advise logging for at least 4 or 5 months before you decide to go it alone.

lorib642

Yes, if you eat less than you burn you will lose weight.

It isn't optimum, but you could try estimating the amounts and use the entries in the system, and see how that works for you. Do you have any way to weigh/measure yourself?

srecupid

Of course. You could also just put some electric tape over your gas gauge and hope to never run out also.

ninerbuff

Yes. If most people who are overweight/obese just ate half the portions they are currently consuming, they would lose weight.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Abby2205

For sure it is possible. Years ago I lost weight on Suzanne Somers' plan. The theory of the plan itself was food combining nonsense, but the practical application worked great. The part that sticks with me was that you could combine carbs with vegetables and fat-free protein, or you could combine fat and protein+fat (for example meat) with vegetables, but you couldn't combine carbs (pasta, bread, potatoes) with fat or protein+fat. So you could have toast with preserves, but not with butter or peanut butter or eggs. You could have pasta with fat free sauces, but not with a meat sauce or a cream sauce. You could have meat with salad and vegetables sauteed in oil, but not with potatoes or bread. For someone else, that might not have worked.
More recently I lost the first five pounds by stopping the weekday fast food lunches and replacing them with just about anything else that wasn't deep fried.

SaraLikesSunsets

lorib642 wrote: »

Yes, if you eat less than you burn you will lose weight.

It isn't optimum, but you could try estimating the amounts and use the entries in the system, and see how that works for you. Do you have any way to weigh/measure yourself?

Oh okay. I would rather not. Because it would be either too much or too little and I prefer to not do it if I'm just off by that much. No, i don't have a way to weigh myself. There's no scales here that i could use once a week every week, unless i count one that doesn't seem to be accurate.

auntiebabs

If you can't count calories and track nutrition.... still keep keep a food journal. Anything that clarifies the cause and effect relationship between what you eat and how you feel is helpful. I learned a lot of thing with a food journal in my pre-MFP days.

Lounmoun

It is possible to lose weight without counting calories. I think it is harder to have a consistant loss that way and maintain that loss.
What I would do is take smaller portions of foods that I know to be higher calorie and fill a lot of my plate with lower calorie vegetables. I would watch portion sizes of bread, pasta and rice. Use sauces, condiments, dressings sparingly. Foods that are not mixed in casseroles, soups or stews would be easiest to judge what you are eating. If you can get grilled meats you will probably be better off eating that than something fried. Maybe opt for fruit for dessert instead of something prepared with who knows what.

SaraLikesSunsets

Lounmoun wrote: »

It is possible to lose weight without counting calories. I think it is harder to have a consistant loss that way and maintain that loss.
What I would do is take smaller portions of foods that I know to be higher calorie and fill a lot of my plate with lower calorie vegetables. I would watch portion sizes of bread, pasta and rice. Use sauces, condiments, dressings sparingly. Foods that are not mixed in casseroles, soups or stews would be easiest to judge what you are eating. If you can get grilled meats you will probably be better off eating that than something fried. Maybe opt for fruit for dessert instead of something prepared with who knows what.

Okay, thanks for the advice.