Is calorie counting really going to work?
LadyLeaAZ
Posts: 24 Member
I've been at this myfitnesspal thing for over a week now at 1200 calories per day. Though I've been trying portion control for over a month and cut out sodas over 3 weeks ago and am drinking only water now.
If I google lots of sites come up saying calorie counting doesn't work. Also doing a search about egg consumption some sites say no more than 3 a day and others say 6 per week. So which is it?
Some websites suggest barely eating causes your metabolism to slow down and other say that is a bunch of hooey otherwise the cast of survivor wouldn't be so skinny by the end of the month.
I usually get so busy and stressed out I used to eat once a day at dinner. So now I'm trying to eat three times a day and its hard since I'm not hungry. Some days I don't even hit 1200 calories, i could be 300-400 short. I also started walking 10-30 minutes per day and yet it feels like nothing is happening.
I just want to be able to stand on the scale and see numbers in the 160's whether i am dressed or not, that is my small goal/be at 165 by 9/15. It didn't seem impossible from reading everyone else's stories, but now I'm starting to doubt.
If I google lots of sites come up saying calorie counting doesn't work. Also doing a search about egg consumption some sites say no more than 3 a day and others say 6 per week. So which is it?
Some websites suggest barely eating causes your metabolism to slow down and other say that is a bunch of hooey otherwise the cast of survivor wouldn't be so skinny by the end of the month.
I usually get so busy and stressed out I used to eat once a day at dinner. So now I'm trying to eat three times a day and its hard since I'm not hungry. Some days I don't even hit 1200 calories, i could be 300-400 short. I also started walking 10-30 minutes per day and yet it feels like nothing is happening.
I just want to be able to stand on the scale and see numbers in the 160's whether i am dressed or not, that is my small goal/be at 165 by 9/15. It didn't seem impossible from reading everyone else's stories, but now I'm starting to doubt.
3
Replies
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It's always calories in vs. calories out. There are many ways to achieve the correct balance. I prefer to count the calories because I don't find food restrictions helpful or sustainable.
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To answer your questions first...
1. Yes, calorie counting does work. But you have to make sure you are weighing and logging your calories accurately and be patient.
2. Starvation mode does not exist.
3. You can certainly eat only one meal a day if you wish. Meal timing doesn't have any affect on the speed of your weight loss.
4. How much do you weigh right now? Hard to say if 165 by 9/15 is a reasonable goal without your current weight.
Then to add.... breathe, don't panic. Try not to make it more complicated than it is. Let MFP determine your calorie goal, buy a kitchen scale, weigh and log your food, eat foods you like but in portions appropriate to your calorie goal, and try not to stress out with a deadline.30 -
Well, I lost 40 Lbs...
Maybe take a peek at the success section...you'll find a lot.
Also, calorie counting doesn't necessarily mean super low calories...your calorie target is derived from your stats and activity level and doesn't include exercise...exercise more, eat more.
I didn't ever eat less than 2200 calories when I was logging...
I eat eggs pretty much every single day...24 -
Calorie counting will work. Portion control is not enough, weigh your food. Once you start getting a very accurate count of what you're consuming, give it a few weeks.9
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Yeah I did buy a scale, just one of those cheapy 5.99 ones at BBB. My husband is already making fun of me and not happy that i'm counting calories even though he told me i was fat.
Height 5'6" and i seem to flop between 169 and 172 on a daily basis currently
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Yeah I did buy a scale, just one of those cheapy 5.99 ones at BBB. My husband is already making fun of me and not happy that i'm counting calories even though he told me i was fat.
Height 5'6" and i seem to flop between 169 and 172 on a daily basis currently
My dear, I don't know about you, but nothing makes me shine like discouragement. Embrace it. Make him eat crow.
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Yeah I did buy a scale, just one of those cheapy 5.99 ones at BBB. My husband is already making fun of me and not happy that i'm counting calories even though he told me i was fat.
Height 5'6" and i seem to flop between 169 and 172 on a daily basis currently
Oh no! HUGS! No wonder you're stressed
If you're losing at 2 lbs a week, then 6 lbs down by 9/15 is possible.
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Calorie counting works, period. You just need to make sure that you are measuring everything accurately and counting each teaspoon of sugar, oil, etc. Those little things that people don't think about add up very quickly!7
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Yeah I did buy a scale, just one of those cheapy 5.99 ones at BBB. My husband is already making fun of me and not happy that i'm counting calories even though he told me i was fat.
Height 5'6" and i seem to flop between 169 and 172 on a daily basis currently
Oh for Pete's sake...I'm sorry you're dealing with that. I'm betting he's no Chris Hemsworth, either.
Hang in there. Yes, it works. I'd highly recommend reading the stickied posts. They're full of great information.22 -
First, I'm very sorry about your husband. That sounds hurtful.
Second, as best I can tell, calorie counting alone is probably not the best way to lose weight fast. The best way to lose weight fast would probably be to go on an incredibly restrictive diet where you are told exactly what to eat when and are given little or no flexibility. The reason these diets "work" is because they are basically guaranteed to force you into a calorie deficit, and caloric deficits are the only thing that cause you to lose weight. Every diet plan pretends it has a magic ingredient (no carbs! smoothies! points! whateverthefug paleo's rules are!), but it doesn't. All they do is make it super easy for anyone to get into a deficit by cutting out most of the foods that people tend to overeat.
Of course, the reason I put "work" into quotation marks is that almost everyone who loses weight on these diets gains the weight back and adds a bit on top of that. If you absolutely want to lose 10 lbs in a month and don't mind what happens after that, you should use one of those diets. The mostly liquid ones seem to be the best bang for your buck. However, my experience so far, and I think the experience of many people who have lost weight and kept the weight off, is that calorie counting really does work IF you give it time and a little patience.
The problem is that there is a lot of possibilities for human error when you're trying to create a deficit. I think most people can expect to spend at least a week or two (if not longer) figuring out how to make the numbers line up for them: how to accurately estimate calories in (here's where weighing your food comes in), how to accurately estimate calories out (many exercise estimates are high because, again, there are lots of variables involved, and it's very easy to fall into the "I exercised so I get a reward" trap),and figuring out what foods and nutrients and meal scheduling really work for you as an individual to get you to that deficit and keep you there. And again, the people who seem to have the most success are the only who don't try and jump ahead to the finish line, but make thoughtful choices about how to adjust their own diet and exercise to get there.
Once you get the hang of it, it honestly feels embarrassingly easy - I've lost 23 pounds this year, still eat more or less the same as I did before I started (just less of it and at different times), and rarely feel hungry or deprived - but it does take effort to get to that point. And unfortunately, it's those "last ten pounds" that tend to be the most difficult to lose and keep off. I don't say that to be discouraging, just to explain why you're finding conflicting information. I think that anyone is capable of it, but you do have to resist the siren song of the easy fix.22 -
Yeah I did buy a scale, just one of those cheapy 5.99 ones at BBB. My husband is already making fun of me and not happy that i'm counting calories even though he told me i was fat.
Height 5'6" and i seem to flop between 169 and 172 on a daily basis currently
Next time he makes a comment about you weighing your food just reply with "honey it's either this or I stay fat and you don't want me fat do you"14 -
Personally I would just ditch the husband - you'd lose a tonne of dead weight there straight away. What a incredibly insensitive plank he is62
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@theledger5 took the words out of my mouth!!!6
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Come here.. lots. There is plenty of encouragement and most of us are facing the exact same challenges. Counting calories does work, I think the jury is still out on eggs...
and there is nothing funny about weighing your food. We're here for you. 5 -
This content has been removed.
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It works. Stick around; read the forums.2
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Counting calories is the most direct appliance of the science behind weight management.
Your husband sounds a peach.12 -
Not only "does" it work, it's the only thing that works.
No matter what "diet" you do or what supplements/pills/smoothies/potions you take, you won't lose weight unless you're consuming less calories than you're expending. Period. Different diet approaches are just different ways of arriving at that necessary caloric deficit.10 -
Not only "does" it work, it's the only thing that works.
^^^^^ Seconded.
The diet industry (can I call it "Big Diet"? - that term is pejorative for so many other industries....) has a vested interest to keep simple things mysterious to the masses. Whether you count them or pay someone else to (either directly or indirectly depending on the program), it's calorie deficit.
Period.
15 -
Yes it works. I started January 11th at 260 lbs. I changed what I eat (healthier) and the amount I eat (correct servings, weighing my food) and I move more. I was sedentary and sitting on the couch, mindlessly snacking in front of the TV, eating 2nd servings at suppertime and all that behavior had to be changed... but as of today I am down 96 lbs. Yes... I am only 4 lbs away from 100 lbs GONE. This is a result of changing my lifestyle. I highly recommend getting the $20 stainless steel digital food scale from WM. You can switch it back and forth between grams and ounces without flipping it to the backside to change the measuring methods. I bought a cheap one while we were away from home once and it wasn't no where near as accurate.
Look for your support here on MFP ~ like minded people will help inspire and motivate you.13 -
ChelleDee07 wrote: »Yes it works. I started January 11th at 260 lbs. I changed what I eat (healthier) and the amount I eat (correct servings, weighing my food) and I move more. I was sedentary and sitting on the couch, mindlessly snacking in front of the TV, eating 2nd servings at suppertime and all that behavior had to be changed... but as of today I am down 96 lbs. Yes... I am only 4 lbs away from 100 lbs GONE. This is a result of changing my lifestyle. I highly recommend getting the $20 stainless steel digital food scale from WM. You can switch it back and forth between grams and ounces without flipping it to the backside to change the measuring methods. I bought a cheap one while we were away from home once and it wasn't no where near as accurate.
Look for your support here on MFP ~ like minded people will help inspire and motivate you.
I just bought that scale tonight!
Per others:
As for my husband I think he's just jealous. Before we left for vacation he was on a treadmill after work every day for about 30 minutes. We have been back for 2 solid weeks and he hasn't been back on it.
9 -
I've been at this myfitnesspal thing for over a week now at 1200 calories per day. Though I've been trying portion control for over a month and cut out sodas over 3 weeks ago and am drinking only water now.
If I google lots of sites come up saying calorie counting doesn't work. Also doing a search about egg consumption some sites say no more than 3 a day and others say 6 per week. So which is it?
Some websites suggest barely eating causes your metabolism to slow down and other say that is a bunch of hooey otherwise the cast of survivor wouldn't be so skinny by the end of the month.
I usually get so busy and stressed out I used to eat once a day at dinner. So now I'm trying to eat three times a day and its hard since I'm not hungry. Some days I don't even hit 1200 calories, i could be 300-400 short. I also started walking 10-30 minutes per day and yet it feels like nothing is happening.
I just want to be able to stand on the scale and see numbers in the 160's whether i am dressed or not, that is my small goal/be at 165 by 9/15. It didn't seem impossible from reading everyone else's stories, but now I'm starting to doubt.
1) Calorie counting works. Health aside, when it comes to weight loss it will always be calories in, calories out. You could eat 1200 calories of chocolate or 1200 calories of fruit and lose weight either way. As far as cholesterol/BP/HR, you're better off with the fruit, but you would still lose weight on the chocolate diet.
Some people don't like calorie counting because they see it as a form of crash dieting. People start counting calories but they're not really adopting healthy habits. Before long they give up on counting calories and go back to junk food. But there is nothing wrong with counting calories as long as you're using it as a tool along with adopting healthy habits instead of it being a quick way to lose weight.
2) Eggs doesn't matter. You could eat 3, 6, or 20 if it means staying within a calorie budget.
3) Starvation mode is a myth. Check out the site losertown. It tells you how much weight you'd lose on a certain number of calories and takes into account the decrease in metabolism as weight goes down (which is a small decrease!) Even on 500 calories you'd still be losing weight.
4) If you're asking whether or not you'll lose weight on 1200 calories, definitely. Going lower isn't recommended and usually leads to binging.5 -
Before the hordes arrive with the torches and pitchforks, I'll add the common sense proviso:
Speaking purely in terms of weight loss, calories are all that matter. Period. With that said, when you factor in general health, body composition, energy levels, satiety/adherence, workout performance, etc., overall nutrition, macro- and micronutrients matter. It's a good idea to eat a varied, balanced diet while maintaining a caloric deficit over time to elicit the desired weight loss.17 -
Well saidBefore the hordes arrive with the torches and pitchforks, I'll add the common sense proviso:
Speaking purely in terms of weight loss, calories are all that matter. When you factor in general health, body composition, energy levels, satiety/adherence, workout performance, etc., overall nutrition, macro- and micronutrients matter. It's a good idea to eat a varied, balanced diet while maintaining a caloric deficit over time to elicit the desired weight loss.
2 -
65 pounds lost via calorie counting and exercise. Pretty sure it works. And 55% - 65% of those calories are evil carbs.
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Before the hordes arrive with the torches and pitchforks, I'll add the common sense proviso:
Speaking purely in terms of weight loss, calories are all that matter. Period. With that said, when you factor in general health, body composition, energy levels, satiety/adherence, workout performance, etc., overall nutrition, macro- and micronutrients matter. It's a good idea to eat a varied, balanced diet while maintaining a caloric deficit over time to elicit the desired weight loss.
/end thread3 -
I've tried several diets over the years with a lot of stress and very little to no success.
This is what I looked like in July 2013
and this is what I look like now
So yes, calorie counting works and for me it is the only thing that works.
Plus thisBefore the hordes arrive with the torches and pitchforks, I'll add the common sense proviso:
Speaking purely in terms of weight loss, calories are all that matter. Period. With that said, when you factor in general health, body composition, energy levels, satiety/adherence, workout performance, etc., overall nutrition, macro- and micronutrients matter. It's a good idea to eat a varied, balanced diet while maintaining a caloric deficit over time to elicit the desired weight loss.
29 -
ChelleDee07 wrote: »Yes it works. I started January 11th at 260 lbs. I changed what I eat (healthier) and the amount I eat (correct servings, weighing my food) and I move more. I was sedentary and sitting on the couch, mindlessly snacking in front of the TV, eating 2nd servings at suppertime and all that behavior had to be changed... but as of today I am down 96 lbs. Yes... I am only 4 lbs away from 100 lbs GONE. This is a result of changing my lifestyle. I highly recommend getting the $20 stainless steel digital food scale from WM. You can switch it back and forth between grams and ounces without flipping it to the backside to change the measuring methods. I bought a cheap one while we were away from home once and it wasn't no where near as accurate.
Look for your support here on MFP ~ like minded people will help inspire and motivate you.
I just bought that scale tonight!
Per others:
As for my husband I think he's just jealous. Before we left for vacation he was on a treadmill after work every day for about 30 minutes. We have been back for 2 solid weeks and he hasn't been back on it.
Next time he comments, throw your old scale at him :-) LOL12 -
I've tried several diets over the years with a lot of stress and very little to no success.
This is what I looked like in July 2013
and this is what I look like now
So yes, calorie counting works and for me it is the only thing that works.
Plus thisBefore the hordes arrive with the torches and pitchforks, I'll add the common sense proviso:
Speaking purely in terms of weight loss, calories are all that matter. Period. With that said, when you factor in general health, body composition, energy levels, satiety/adherence, workout performance, etc., overall nutrition, macro- and micronutrients matter. It's a good idea to eat a varied, balanced diet while maintaining a caloric deficit over time to elicit the desired weight loss.
you look awesome.8 -
Look up learned helplessness, looks like that is what your husband is trying to induce in you4
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