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Not tracking, still losing
Seajolly
Posts: 1,435 Member
I've cut back significantly on my food tracking now that I sort of have the "hang" of LC/keto eating and pretty much know what I can and cannot eat. I will still often look up the carbs in different foods, but wont necessarily track them. And I'm still losing! Until I stall out (hopefully that wont happen though) I am going to keep this up, because honestly it's pretty nice not being so obsessive over my calories/macros. Anyone else?
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I lost all my weight without tracking, by eating the right foods for me and considering portions. Congrats. Hope it continues smoothly for you!!I've cut back significantly on my food tracking now that I sort of have the "hang" of LC/keto eating and pretty much know what I can and cannot eat. I will still often look up the carbs in different foods, but wont necessarily track them. And I'm still losing! Until I stall out (hopefully that wont happen though) I am going to keep this up, because honestly it's pretty nice not being so obsessive over my calories/macros. Anyone else?
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I actually decided this weekend that I'm going to stop trying to make myself log now that have a sense of what the calories/carbs are for how I normally have been eating (around 50-60 g carbs unless I start adding more fruit in, although I likely will since it's coming into season), and that I am actually curious how it will go just doing this -- sticking to some dairy and nuts and lots of veg and fruit in season for carbs.
I'm not really in loss mode (been maintaining for a while), but I wouldn't mind losing a bit more.0 -
I lost a lot of weight without tracking. When I started low-carb, I didn't count carbs or calories, and it worked just fine. It wasn't till I hit a plateau that lasted nearly a full month, that I started finally counting things.
I don't mind the counting/logging/tracking though. I like looking at numbers and charting things, so it's kind of fun for me.1 -
My goal is to get to a point where I don't feel I have to track - for now, because I am a major Sugar/Carb Addict - I track.. to keep myself on point, but try not to obsess over calories at all. Just the carbs. Still losing also (yay!). I also like the charting of things (my analytical side). But again, my goal is to have no obsessions over food, for this way of eating to be natural and habitual.2
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I've tracked in various forms over the years, started with WW, then just kept a food journal then migrated to MFP somewhere around 7 years ago. Tracking really works for me, but it doesn't trigger obsessive thoughts/actions for me like I know it does for others (including a good friend). I can sit down at night and log the day or do it as I go. I love looking back at my food journals though, in any form. I can get into serious food ruts and it helps to look back and say "oh! Yes, I forgot about xxxx I love that!"
However, with this WOE I don't HAVE to track, I already know if I'm hitting the goals/metrics I want to with my food intake. I know that is one reason why this WOE works so well for people , once you find your groove there often isn't a need to obsess.1 -
During weight loss I tracked with detail and focus on calories. Generally speaking I've tracked during 3 years of maintenance. For a year while eating medically therapeutic ketogenic I tracked with extreme detail and absolute focus on macros while remaining @ my allocated maintenance calories. I'm over that detail.
Currently I track most of the time. I pay a lot of attention to habits. Just this morning I reached into the refrigerator for cream for my coffee. My eyes zoomed in on the cheese box. I had to tell myself I wasn't hungry. Behaviors not conducive to weight loss/maintenance. Habits...0 -
Steph_Maks wrote: »I don't mind the counting/logging/tracking though. I like looking at numbers and charting things, so it's kind of fun for me.
I'm weird about this. I really loved it for a while, since I'm a numbers geek too (I keep all kinds of charts about my exercise). Then at maintenance I got bored with it and started doing without which was fine (wasn't low carbing then). Then I got unmotivated and thought logging would get me back into it and to lose the last 5-10, but instead I found that I would eat really well, take a day off logging because I was going to a restaurant and then overeating since I didn't have to log it -- really irrational verging on disordered nonsense. So I think it's actually counterproductive for me now, which is sad because I did enjoy it and found when I was first counting carbs it was fun again for that reason -- to see where my carbs were.
Oh, well, I'm sure I will get over it, and if not I'm okay not logging.2 -
I tracked in the very beginning, but I haven't tracked in several months. I don't need to.1
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That's wonderful that you don't have to track. I find it depressing when people talk about being Low carb and count calories to 1300 a day or less. no thanks.0
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I don't mind the tracking (right now), It helps with planning and until i lose a significant amount.. I believe I will be tracking for a while!! It's educational for me....0
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Unfortunately, I think I'm going to end up tracking forever. I don't mind tracking. I've tracked religiously for years now. I have issues with portion control. I need to weigh my bacon and peanut butter. If I feel like baking, I need to count my Fathead pizza slices and low carb bread slices, otherwise I'll be eating 2000 calories in one meal.
It feels like I can eat so many more calories with faux carb recipes...one of the reasons I have not made any fat bombs or Fathead pizza.0
This discussion has been closed.