Does counting calories work?

hey guys!

I'm been on MFP for a couple of months but since it was hockey season, I didn't count my calories/ worry too much about my weight since I was trying to bulk up a bit. But now since it's over and bikini seasons coming up, I was wondering if counting calories actually works. I've been tracking for about a week and an tropically 300 calories under my 1250 daily intake. Will I eventually loose weight and when will I see results?

Thanks everyone!

Replies

  • lynn_glenmont
    lynn_glenmont Posts: 10,093 Member
    How are you tracking? Are you weighing your food?
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  • Lewisg51
    Lewisg51 Posts: 220 Member
    I have lost 20Lbs since January counting calories, it definitely works as long as you pay attention to it. And you will lose weight but I would say a couple months for a noticeable difference.
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    If your logging is accurate, then yes you'll lose weight. But you should be eating 1250, not under.
  • rosebarnalice
    rosebarnalice Posts: 3,488 Member
    50 lbs gone. Yes it works.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    edited April 2016
    hey guys!

    I'm been on MFP for a couple of months but since it was hockey season, I didn't count my calories/ worry too much about my weight since I was trying to bulk up a bit. But now since it's over and bikini seasons coming up, I was wondering if counting calories actually works. I've been tracking for about a week and an tropically 300 calories under my 1250 daily intake. Will I eventually loose weight and when will I see results?

    Thanks everyone!

    How tall are you and how much weight do you want to lose? What's your exercise regimen?
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    considering weight management is 100% energy management, why wouldn't it? of course, it does require accuracy and consistency on your part.
  • Marilyn0924
    Marilyn0924 Posts: 797 Member
    Are you saying that you're netting 900ish calories daily?
  • pebble4321
    pebble4321 Posts: 1,132 Member
    Counting calories in itself doesn't "work". But it can be a great guide to help you acheive your goals.
    Burning more calories than you take in, is the thing that works, if your goal is weight loss.

    This means that you need to find the right balance, for you, where you are eating enough to stay healthy and have enough energy to enjoy your life (and 950 cals a day is not likely to be healthy for an adult), while maintaining a deficit from the calories you burn each day (from just living, breathing etc as well as intentional exercise).
  • rankinsect
    rankinsect Posts: 2,238 Member
    An energy deficit works. Counting calories - if you're accurate enough - is a great way to ensure you're eating at a deficit.
  • Merkavar
    Merkavar Posts: 3,082 Member
    Yeah it works.

    Why are you eating 900 calories? Are you a sedentary 11 year old?

    1250 is how much you should eat to achieve what ever goal you set, it already includes the deficit required, so you don't have to subtract a second deficit.

    Going under 1200 will likely make it hard/impossible for you to get enough nutrients like protein.
  • jacquelinezng151
    jacquelinezng151 Posts: 19 Member
    Merkavar wrote: »
    Yeah it works.

    Why are you eating 900 calories? Are you a sedentary 11 year old?

    1250 is how much you should eat to achieve what ever goal you set, it already includes the deficit required, so you don't have to subtract a second deficit.

    Going under 1200 will likely make it hard/impossible for you to get enough nutrients like protein.

    Haha well this includes exercise so I do end up eating more than that
  • Merkavar
    Merkavar Posts: 3,082 Member
    Merkavar wrote: »
    Yeah it works.

    Why are you eating 900 calories? Are you a sedentary 11 year old?

    1250 is how much you should eat to achieve what ever goal you set, it already includes the deficit required, so you don't have to subtract a second deficit.

    Going under 1200 will likely make it hard/impossible for you to get enough nutrients like protein.

    Haha well this includes exercise so I do end up eating more than that

    Pretty sure netting 900 is the same as eating 900 with no exercise.

    You need to fuel your exercise.

    So I still think your eating too little and should be netting 1250 including exercise.
  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    Will I eventually loose weight

    If your accurate and consistent with your logging, yes.

    I do recommend investing in a food scale for logging accuracy. Less clean up the using cups/spoons.
    when will I see results?

    Hard to say. I think sometimes other people notice the changes before we see them. I will say that that realistically it will probably be at least 4-6 weeks before changes are noticeable. So take measurements and pictures.

    These threads have some good information in them for people just starting out:
  • riffraff2112
    riffraff2112 Posts: 1,756 Member
    Definitely works.
  • riffraff2112
    riffraff2112 Posts: 1,756 Member
    How did the hockey season go?
    and yeah...it works.
  • PaulaWallaDingDong
    PaulaWallaDingDong Posts: 4,641 Member
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    Yes.