Calorie Counting...

J72FIT

https://bradpilon.com/weight-loss/why-i-dont-count-calories-but-you-probably-should/

Of course to each his or her own, that said, I like his point of view and it's something I strive for...

Terytha

Caveat three: BED makes this approach nearly impossible, as do many medications.

Calorie counting is not obsessive. I'm exhausted of hearing that already. It's like 5 total minutes out of my day, and all it is, is information. I don't count calories because I'm obsessive and controlling. JFC.

serindipte

Yeah, tried that and gained 30 lbs back of the 50 I'd lost. If I have to keep track of calories forever, that beats getting fat again. I keep track of my bank account, my bills, and my calories. I wouldn't call that "having to track everything". It's watching out for the important things where it's far too easy to go over. (For me, anyway)

cwolfman13

Pretty much sums up where I am and where I came from. Going on 7 years maintenance not counting. I for one became very unhealthily obsessed counting calories to the point that my wife and close friends had an intervention. I wasn't really at first, but towards the end it was pretty bad when I look back on it. At the time, I couldn't really see it, but looking back I definitely can. That said, it was pretty educational and ultimately allowed me to be where I am now.

J72FIT

cwolfman13 wrote: »

Pretty much sums up where I am and where I came from. Going on 7 years maintenance not counting. I for one became very unhealthily obsessed counting calories to the point that my wife and close friends had an intervention. I wasn't really at first, but towards the end it was pretty bad when I look back on it. At the time, I couldn't really see it, but looking back I definitely can. That said, it was pretty educational and ultimately allowed me to be where I am now.

We pretty much have identical stories. Stopped tracking in November 2019 and holding steady. I've tried before and had to go back to tracking. Each time I try I go a little longer. As of now, this is the longest.

cwolfman13

J72FIT wrote: »

cwolfman13 wrote: »

Pretty much sums up where I am and where I came from. Going on 7 years maintenance not counting. I for one became very unhealthily obsessed counting calories to the point that my wife and close friends had an intervention. I wasn't really at first, but towards the end it was pretty bad when I look back on it. At the time, I couldn't really see it, but looking back I definitely can. That said, it was pretty educational and ultimately allowed me to be where I am now.

We pretty much have identical stories. Stopped tracking in November 2019 and holding steady. I've tried before and had to go back to tracking. Each time I try I go a little longer. As of now, this is the longest.

I'm trying to drop about 10 Lbs of winter fluff. I have to do this pretty much every winter and it's usually pretty slow so I thought I might pick up counting again for a couple of months...logged a few things last week and I could feel that slippery slope of obsession coming quick. I'll just do my usual which means I need to cut out a few afternoon/evening snacks and deserts for a bit.

kimny72

I have used calorie counting to get a better feel for what the right amount of food and activity is for me to maintain my weight, I'm much better at it now than I used to be. But even after four years, when I stop tracking calories, eventually I slowly start eating a tiny bit more and moving a tiny bit less, and I gain weight. I guess that makes me a failure so far <shrug>

I do not, and never have obsess about calories. Just like I think about how much money I've spent recently before I decide on my grocery budget for the week, I take a second to glance at my numbers before I put my dinner together. A small price to pay to avoid what I actually DID used to obsess about - trying to determine how much I "felt" I should eat.

Just because some people obsess over calorie counting doesn't mean calorie counting is obsessive. As another poster said recently in another thread, just because someone with OCD obsesses about washing their hands doesn't make the act of washing your hands obsessive.

One could just as easily make the case that people who can't log their food without obsessing over calories are the ones needing self improvement. Why aren't you capable of doing a small amount of math without it messing with your head? I can, so I guess I learned lesson you didn't. Not that I would make that case. I think different tools work for different people, and suggesting that someone who excels, using a tool you don't need, is less evolved than you isn't a great look IMHO. I'm glad when people who can't count without obsessing find another way to succeed. Just like I'm proud I found calorie counting, as numbers are my comfort zone and it's led to my success.

cwolfman13

kimny72 wrote: »

I have used calorie counting to get a better feel for what the right amount of food and activity is for me to maintain my weight, I'm much better at it now than I used to be. But even after four years, when I stop tracking calories, eventually I slowly start eating a tiny bit more and moving a tiny bit less, and I gain weight. I guess that makes me a failure so far <shrug>

I do not, and never have obsess about calories. Just like I think about how much money I've spent recently before I decide on my grocery budget for the week, I take a second to glance at my numbers before I put my dinner together. A small price to pay to avoid what I actually DID used to obsess about - trying to determine how much I "felt" I should eat.

Just because some people obsess over calorie counting doesn't mean calorie counting is obsessive. As another poster said recently in another thread, just because someone with OCD obsesses about washing their hands doesn't make the act of washing your hands obsessive.

One could just as easily make the case that people who can't log their food without obsessing over calories are the ones needing self improvement. Why aren't you capable of doing a small amount of math without it messing with your head? I can, so I guess I learned lesson you didn't. Not that I would make that case. I think different tools work for different people, and suggesting that someone who excels, using a tool you don't need, is less evolved than you isn't a great look IMHO. I'm glad when people who can't count without obsessing find another way to succeed. Just like I'm proud I found calorie counting, as numbers are my comfort zone and it's led to my success.

Definitely wasn't the math part for me...I'm actually a numbers and data guy being an accountant and financial analyst. It was more like not wanting to take my wife out to a restaurant she wanted to go to because it wasn't a big chain and didn't have calories listed...or declining invitations to get together with friends because I wasn't going to be able to dial in the calories consumed at the party...stuff like that.

I think a big part of the issue for me as an analyst is that I value both precision and accuracy when I'm working with my numbers...early on, it wasn't that big of a deal because I was wading through new territory and learning...but the more I got into it, the lack of precision and difficulty of accuracy got in my head so I just wouldn't venture into the realm of doing anything that I couldn't at least be relatively precise and accurate. For whatever reason, not putting the numbers to paper erases that need to be precise...it's kind of like when I'm talking generally about our financial position with my boss it's more like, "I think we'll be somewhere around $XXXX for this or that...but when I get into my spreadsheets it's a whole different thing and I get down to pennies.

J72FIT

kimny72 wrote: »

I think different tools work for different people, and suggesting that someone who excels, using a tool you don't need, is less evolved than you isn't a great look IMHO.

I didn't take the article that way...

J72FIT

Terytha wrote: »

JFC.

???

erjones11

Not for me, I have to track or I will over eat. The one thing he talks about is estimating potions as part of tracking. I don't do that I weigh and measure my portions as often as is possible. I suck at estimating portions.

I never feel full or satiated no matter how much I eat. Even if I some how manage to feel full, I feel hungry fifteen minutes later.

One size does not fit all, but I think I know my size!

debbieadams1967

Hi i feel like calorie counting does assist in reducing over eating! What concerns me is how to lower your sugar intake, etc. thks