When to stop counting calories?
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At this point this discussion is going nowhere or rather it isn't a discussion but simply announcements of points of view, so I'm bowing out after this last comment.
It is clear that the participants think very different things of what we are here to do. My task here is to generate a permanent lifestyle change, which includes permanent healthy nutrition choices and permanent regular exercise whilst being permanently content and balanced (regular sleep, calm mind, etc.), happy about my choices.
"Diet" isn't what I'm doing nor will I see "slip-ups" happen in the future - because I've built a solid, strong foundation during the phase in between unhealth and health. I'm expecting the transition phase to be highly challenging, but I'm prepared to do the work so I don't have to ever question these things again, once I'm in eternal maintenance mode.
I'd be happy to accept friends with this mindset, so send me a request if you like; we can never have too much support around us. Good luck to everyone on their own journeys!0 -
So many insightful comments on this. I left after loosing 30 pounds and came back for the 10 I re gained:) For me I am pretty carefree about it really, but when the pounds creep on I need to be held accountable and log. For some it might need to be a daily thing.
I just caution if the number on the scale is taking too much of your brain power, taking you away from friends and family, take a breather. Keep your account but take a break. Come back and use the tool when you need it. It is a fantastic tool, but it is that, a tool. It should not take over your life.
Part of getting thin for me is to ENJOY LIFE! I love MFP but there will be times I am off running about and take a break. That to me is part of maintaining.
Fabulous success stories on this thread, well done all.
^^ This. I don't want to 'have' to do anything my entire life, but I"m willing to IF that's what it takes. No reason to not just use it when you need it. IF you see 5lbs creep on, no one made you turn in your key to the city - just log again and correct it. Don't be in denial about it and come back 18 months later with 50lbs to lose.0 -
If you have lost weight why would you want to go back mfp is simple... staying fit and eating healthy is something you should maintain for a lifetime...you can always indulge on some junk food here and there but I personally wouldn't make it a habit.0
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You are making a lot of assumptions here. I haven't changed what I eat, I've changed the portions. I suspect if I went on some 'whole foods' or paleo or similar diet I would be able to stop counting calories. I could also not have to worry about running out of money if I never buy anything I want and only pay bills and nothing else. But I don't want to live like that. I'm not interested in a "lifestyle change" that involves giving up things I like for no good reason. It is more than worth counting to be able to enjoy reasonable portions of all teh foodz which I would otherwise be prone to overeat.
What this is saying is "since you can't correct your eye sight, it applies to anything else". You do realise that your brain is pretty different from more "static" organs? Your whole life you keep processing crazy amounts of information, you learn new things, your brain stores vasts amounts of information.If someone is nearsighted they wear glasses or contacts for life to correct their imperfect vision. Counting calories is a way to correct an inability to intuitively eat the right amount for your body.
You're also saying that what you have learned during your lifestyle change does count for nothing, which leads me to my question; haven't you paid attention at all to what you have been weighing, measuring in other ways, logging? Not analysed in the least the nutritional values of your foods over the course of months or years even?
"A way to correct an inability to intuitively eat the right amount for your body" has no basis in science, it's just your own perception - and you most certainly aren't crediting your brain what it deserves througout your whole statement.
Edit: typo and this: Some people go to the eye doctor for laser surgery. I wouldn't do that to my own eyes, but we have lots of opinions.0 -
I've already accepted the fact that I'm going to use MFP to count calories and macros the rest of my life. Without it, I know I'll NEVER be able to eyeball calories well enough to maintain, or take in optimal macronutrient intake and calorie intake. I find MFP not only extremely effective, but very very easy to use. Entering food takes only a couple minutes a day, and it's not a big deal to me, but everybody is different.
Yep. Me too.0 -
It's not a diet, it's a lifestyle. I will always be counting calories. And I'm absolutely fine with that.
I think this is the issue for a lot of people...they equate the counting of calories to be the "lifestyle" change when in reality, they're diet (noun) and fitness regimen should be the lifestyle. MFP is an awesome tool for teaching you how to properly fuel your body...quanity and quality...but really, logging food in a diary for the rest of your life is not realistic IMHO. I would think that if people would actually take the time to actually learn how to fuel their bodies and listen to their bodies they wouldn't need to count calories forever.
Personally, I don't count anymore and have no issues maintaining. When people have issues it is largely due to the fact that they really haven't made a change in their lifestyle...they just go back to the same crap they were doing before...overeating junk food and failing to get their fitness on. When you carry over your healthy eating habits and fitness habits into maintenance mode, maintenance is actually really easy.0 -
It's up to you. I find that watching my intake of certain food groups like carbs, sugars, and fats is enough. If I'm making a concerted effort to lose weight, then I count, although even then I'm not 100% strict. I try to aim low to fact in inaccuracies made by me and the product labels.0
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I think this is the issue for a lot of people...they equate the counting of calories to be the "lifestyle" change when in reality, they're diet (noun) and fitness regimen should be the lifestyle. MFP is an awesome tool for teaching you how to properly fuel your body...quanity and quality...but really, logging food in a diary for the rest of your life is not realistic IMHO. I would think that if people would actually take the time to actually learn how to fuel their bodies and listen to their bodies they wouldn't need to count calories forever.
Personally, I don't count anymore and have no issues maintaining. When people have issues it is largely due to the fact that they really haven't made a change in their lifestyle...they just go back to the same crap they were doing before...overeating junk food and failing to get their fitness on. When you carry over your healthy eating habits and fitness habits into maintenance mode, maintenance is actually really easy.
I've said this before but this is the biggest thing I had to learn when I lost most of my weight. I didn't actively count calories, but was mindful of the calorie content, even loosely estimating and following my hunger and fullness cues.. I honestly think that a lot of people don't know how to do this or lost the ability to do this and it's a shame.
That said I've already witnessed the inaccuracies of labeling and this website's food diary,so to me it's just another tool, but certainly not something I'm 100% devoted to.0 -
I love analogies. I use them all the time to make proven complex concepts easier to understand. But you can't use an analogy to prove a concept. It is effective; you will get a lot of heads nodding using a totally irrelevant reference.You can stop counting the calories you eat without getting fat, when you can stop counting the money you spend without going broke.
BTW, when I was in my 20s, single and starting my career, I did not keep an accurate count of what I spent. I just did it roughly in my head and erred on the side of safety. I turned 30 with no debt and a decent amount of money in the bank. Then I got married to a CPA who tracks every dime. Now we are in debt up to our eyeballs (yeah, the house and kids might have something to do with that).
It's not irrelevant. There are of course plenty of people who stay thin without counting calories, and stay out of debt without counting what they spend. But if someone is heavier than they want to be (or spends more than they want to spend) there is no way to longterm success without tracking.
The amazing thing to me is that I know people who would never think of spending more money than they have in their bank account, but have no problem eating hundreds more calories than their bodies need.0 -
I plan on counting my calories for a LONG Time. Counting calories and owning a scale are the only things that have worked for me in my fifty years on this earth.0
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Counting calories is, for most people, simply a method that works psychologically in keeping on track with goals.
That being said, the only true way to a healthy and fit lifestyle is through personal choice. Whether you use portion control, calorie counting or habitually eat the same foods at the same time, it all comes down to YOU.
How badly do YOU want it.
If you love those tasty pastries and enjoying a couple a day is your idea of living life to it's fullest, then you will have to accept that becoming slim and trim is going to take a lot of extra work. Not everyone wants to be a fitness model and getting rid of that last pudge around your waste-line may not be something you really care about. You might WANT that six pack, but unless you want it enough to lay off the chocolate eclairs, it's never going to happen.
So, make a choice. If it's worth the sacrifice of instant gratification, you will find a way. If not, enjoy your pastries. I myself have a keen sweet tooth.0 -
I will most likely have to count calories for the rest of my life. I've accepted this. I'm hoping that once at maintenance I'll be able to eat a little more, but history has taught me that without some kind of guide to tell me about calories and portion sizes I will put weight back on.0
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Probably track in some way for life. Its not hard and only getting easier.
This.
30 years ago calorie counting used log books and calculators, and still required copious amounts of guesswork.
20 years ago spreadsheets did a lot of the heavy lifting math-wise for you, but there was still a lot of looking stuff up and guesswork. Of course looking stuff up meant in a book, as the internet didn't yet really exist.
10-15 years ago the internet made it easy to look stuff up, but you still generally would use a spreadsheet and/or logbook. But by this time guesswork was seriously diminished. Of course nutrition info for restaurants was still pretty much a guess.
5-7 years ago online sites for logging came around and the food databases started to really include most things. One stop shop logging and lookup started to become a reality.
3-4 years ago smartphones started to become universal and most switched to app based counting (even though it had been available longer). Now you could finally easily count as you went all day long. Restaurant nutritional info started to grow explosively.
Where will things be in 10 years? 20? In the last 20 years its gone from being a mind numbing time consuming task suitable for those with the training and temperment of an accountant to something that is easy for everyone to do with 5 minutes of their time.
Counting will only get easier and easier. It is not far fetched at all that the same type of bump/wireless wallet technology will quickly update in restaurants, and that cameras will be able to reasonably estimate portions and be able to populate from premade meals based off a photo. Electronic upc's that phones can read. Etc...
In the near future getting fat will be a concious choice as it will be so pathetically easy to monitor your intake and expediture via your tricorder.0 -
When do you stop watching your money? If you feel like you can handle life without watching how much you spend and on what, you may also be able to live life at maintenance by the same kind of methods.
For me, I've had to closely watch my money and I've had to closely watch my calories. I can't seem to just get a "feel" for how either should be used without a written statement of both. Some of us, just have no idea how to budget calories or money without being ever watchful over both.
I plan to count calories and dollars for the rest of my life.
This is a very good analogy.
Its only very recent though that the tools have been there to keep track of your calories as easily as your money. It will be a while before culture changes to see it this way.0 -
Hi There- I love love love MFP, and I too know that it is something I must do forever. I have lost 13 pounds and have 10 to go. This may seem like a silly question, but how do you maintain? Do I go in and gradually up the calorie allowance or does MFP do that once I hit goal weight? I'm assuming if I continue to do what I'm doing now, I will continue to lose weight, so how do I know how many calories I need to stay at my goal weight?
Thanks for the advice!
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I will be counting calories for the rest of my life. I have tried exercising before without counting calories and it didn't work for me. So even if I am not using MFP anymore I will still write my calories down to keep track. That's the only way I will be able to keep the weight off for good.0
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I dont think you should ever stop counting calories. Counting them doesnt mean you have to be eating a low ammount of them. I still count them and probably always will because i like to know what goes in my body. If you want to stay the same try eating about 2,000 calories and day and cut back on the amount of cardio youre doing, try doing it every two to three days insted. Also, dont feel guilty if you decided to eat littlepiece of a browine it happens to EVERYONE i hope this helped you0
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I have been maintaining for 2 years without logging. Not that logging is a pain it is just that I paid close attention to my intake while I was losing and I did my own research. I still apply the things I have learned and apply a little common sense when eating at a restaurant. Honestly I don't see the point in (me) logging the same foods day after day, of course I never saw counting calories as something I would have (or want) to do forever. I still log exercise and measurements.0
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I have been maintaining for 2 years without logging. Not that logging is a pain it is just that I paid close attention to my intake while I was losing and I did my own research. I still apply the things I have learned and apply a little common sense when eating at a restaurant. Honestly I don't see the point in (me) logging the same foods day after day, of course I never saw counting calories as something I would have (or want) to do forever. I still log exercise and measurements.
Do you carefully monitor your weight so you'd know if you were drifting?0 -
I have been maintaining for 2 years without logging. Not that logging is a pain it is just that I paid close attention to my intake while I was losing and I did my own research. I still apply the things I have learned and apply a little common sense when eating at a restaurant. Honestly I don't see the point in (me) logging the same foods day after day, of course I never saw counting calories as something I would have (or want) to do forever. I still log exercise and measurements.
Do you carefully monitor your weight so you'd know if you were drifting?
I weigh every other week or so. Sometimes less. My weight has stayed between 145 and 148 but I am still losing inches off my body.0 -
Really fighting for my last 15 pounds, gained the weight back so many time in past I will def keep logging my cals. long after I reach my goal weight.0
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Just weigh yourself once a week and use your pants as a guide. If the pants are tight or the weight goes up, count calories until you get back down to goal weight0
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This! I lost before on South Beach, then it all crept back year by year, because I did not pay enough attention...
I am thinking the carb addict in me needs to be kept in check for the rest of my life! 0 -
dittoI dont think you should ever stop counting calories. Counting them doesnt mean you have to be eating a low ammount of them. I still count them and probably always will because i like to know what goes in my body. If you want to stay the same try eating about 2,000 calories and day and cut back on the amount of cardio youre doing, try doing it every two to three days insted. Also, dont feel guilty if you decided to eat littlepiece of a browine it happens to EVERYONE i hope this helped you0 -
I have stopped counting calories now that I've reached the weight I want, but I still weigh myself everyday and count calories seldomly to make sure I stay around the right track. I can usually tell when I've eaten enough calories now.0
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I am addicted to food. All food. Fried, baked, cookies, and broccoli alike. I've been at my goal weight for 18 months now and I believe firmly that if I hadn't stuck with MFP during that time, I would have gained back a portion of the 83 lbs that I'd lost. I track every single item that goes in my body with use of a scale and take a weekend off from it a month to eat as I wish without guilt. I eat back most of my calories and don't care if I go over my daily intake as long as the "weekly" isn't in the red by more than 200 calories, except of course, when I take my monthly sabbatical from MFP. I would be back to 190 lbs again without it.0
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Alright, so for the past two days I have eaten whatever junk food has come my way. I work in a cafe so that means frappucino's, scones, panini's, cookies, brownies, definitely not low cal stuff. However I'm actually under my goal weight and realized I need to gain back a few pounds. I know this is not the healthiest way to do it, it's just what happened this past weekend. I let myself be free with food for the first time in the past year since losing all the weight.
But now, as I've finished this binge and feel fulfilled in a sense, I realize I don't want to keep counting.
I want to live.
The problem is, I don't know if I really know how. I know how to gain weight, obviously. I know how to lose weight. But maintaining is a foreign concept to me. Even as I've tried to maintain using this website, it doesn't really work. Because I keep having that mindset when I look at the number I feel like it needs to be lower. I realize that's not a happy mindset and I want to change that. My basic question is, how did the people who lost all the weight successfully maintain after?
I gotta believe there's enough will out there to be able to do it without counting for the rest of your life. Because while this is an extremely effective tool, I don't want to see myself relying on it forever.
For me, I've found that I need to watch the scale more closely when I am not logging. But honestly, once you've been using a food scale for a while, and have weighed and measured and logged all your favorites over and over, then you should be ready to maintain without logging. I've maintained my weight for nearly six months now without logging.
The downside: since I am thinking of cutting some more, it's been difficult to get back into the routine of logging. :ohwell:
But so long as I don't *gain* then I'm cool.0 -
Bump0
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From September to January I didn't count calories and I wasn't putting on weight. I'm maintaining now so I count my cals to make sure I'm staying on track. I kind of wish I never started because I don't think I'll ever be able to stop! It's hard to know how much your eating unless your a dietician or something. humph0
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