Anybody not count calories?

Harrisonsauntie

I was wondering if there was anyone on here who do not count calories for whatever reason?

livingleanlivingclean

I do iifym, which doesn't focus on calories, but meeting specific macronutrient targets.
I do this for my sport, to know that I'm eating the right macros to meet my goals.

When not doing this, I don't count. I find it tedious, stressful and unhealthy. I can manage my intake well enough to maintain without it...

windimera

I count carbs.just easier and less counting.my carbs goal each day is around 120. That is what Dr.Atkins recommends to lose weight healthy.

Harrisonsauntie

I do iifym, which doesn't focus on calories, but meeting specific macronutrient targets.
I do this for my sport, to know that I'm eating the right macros to meet my goals.

When not doing this, I don't count. I find it tedious, stressful and unhealthy. I can manage my intake well enough to maintain without it...

Thanks for the reply. What sport do you do?
I am trying to lose weight without counting calories to much.. I do a "check in" as I eat usually the same everyday.

twixlepennie

I'm in maintenance and am not counting calories right now. I've been able to stay within my 3lb maintenance window without having to, but I have other checks and balances in place that are working well (like daily weigh ins etc). If things change I will adjust

livingleanlivingclean

I do iifym, which doesn't focus on calories, but meeting specific macronutrient targets.
I do this for my sport, to know that I'm eating the right macros to meet my goals.

When not doing this, I don't count. I find it tedious, stressful and unhealthy. I can manage my intake well enough to maintain without it...

Thanks for the reply. What sport do you do?
I am trying to lose weight without counting calories to much.. I do a "check in" as I eat usually the same everyday.

I compete in bodybuilding...my life at the moment is either eating enough to grow, or eating less to drop fat!

Harrisonsauntie

I do iifym, which doesn't focus on calories, but meeting specific macronutrient targets.
I do this for my sport, to know that I'm eating the right macros to meet my goals.

When not doing this, I don't count. I find it tedious, stressful and unhealthy. I can manage my intake well enough to maintain without it...

Thanks for the reply. What sport do you do?
I am trying to lose weight without counting calories to much.. I do a "check in" as I eat usually the same everyday.

I compete in bodybuilding...my life at the moment is either eating enough to grow, or eating less to drop fat!

Yes I am trying to drop fat. What do you do then to ensure you're not eating to much? or is this when you log?

bobbijodmb

When i started I didn't count calories- but I lost weight much slower. So for the first two years I probably lost 10-15 lbs a year. And then in the 3rd and 4th years I started to semi count them-- losing 35 lbs a year.

This last year i have really watched and counted and I lost 56 lbs.

So it works, and it worked for me, but now I see that if I want to get to maintenance, its the best way for me to do it.

nomeejerome

Yes, there are many people who do not count calories because they have different goals. You will find that not everybody is here for the same reason.

Harrisonsauntie

When i started I didn't count calories- but I lost weight much slower. So for the first two years I probably lost 10-15 lbs a year. And then in the 3rd and 4th years I started to semi count them-- losing 35 lbs a year.

This last year i have really watched and counted and I lost 56 lbs.

So it works, and it worked for me, but now I see that if I want to get to maintenance, its the best way for me to do it.

Thats interesting, thanks for your reply. I have currently stalled while I get my head round what I want to do. Im trying to focus on quality food with some treats and portion control.

bobbijodmb

I used to be against counting them. I was like I will never do that. I don't know what my hesitation was- probably that I thought it would be a ton of work. At first it was because I didn't realize how many calories were in things, etc. But now even when I don't log them in, I am still aware and in my head counting them. It just makes me very aware of everything I eat/drink.

justinproulx1

I dont....I county my macros on a cut, when bulking I dont count nothing once I get past 35 grams of fiber and my protein grams for that day

Phoenix_Warrior

Wait, macros have a caloric value, ergo you still count calories just in the sense of balancing nutrients..or am I crazy?

cwolfman13

When I was actively trying to lose I counted and was very meticulous. During those 7-8 months or so I made sure I took the time to really look at my plate and got a really good handle on servings and what my daily calories pretty much looked like. Basically I took the time to learn how to eat properly...in appropriate amounts and appropriate nutrition.

I've been at maintenance for about 7 months now and I don't count...I've been able to easily maintain my weight by sticking to proper portions, getting my nutrition on, and rocking my fitness. I'm also fairly confident that I could lose a little if I wanted to as well without going back to calorie counting...would just have to cut out a couple of things from my daily intake. I still use my foods scale and weigh or measure pretty much everything...unless I'm out and about of course.

Harrisonsauntie

Wait, macros have a caloric value, ergo you still count calories just in the sense of balancing nutrients..or am I crazy?

No not crazy but she was saying that she is more concerned with her macros than the calories.

eat_run_play

I don't! it's the best thing I ever did (or didn't do). now i just eat 3 sensible meals a day with lots of protein. i avoid sweets, seconds and snacks during the week and allow myself some freedom on the weekend. i exercise 6 days a week. works for me! no need to create obsessions in my mind or feel bad if i "went over calories". used to count calories. it ended up making me have an eating disorder. no more!

soupandcookies

My 2014 resolution is to stop counting calories, or to at least try it for a good chunk of time, and see how it works for me. I am very obsessive about it, and it messes with my mind. I have been meticulously counting calories for 15 year, nonstop, and I think it has become an issue for me, because I eat according to my calories, and not my hunger and satisfaction level. Basically, it has taken all the intuition out of my eating. I think that for "normal" eaters, counting calories is a totally worthwhile venture, and it obviously helps lots of people lose weight, but in my situation, it is not an appropriate weight loss tool. I plan to continue my healthy eating plan, and I am sure I will loosely count the calories in my head, but I don't plan to obsess over it, or track my macros/cals on the site. I am sticking around, to keep my head in the game, but for the moment, cal counting isn't for me. Taking it one day at a time, though. good luck!

Harrisonsauntie

My 2014 resolution is to stop counting calories, or to at least try it for a good chunk of time, and see how it works for me. I am very obsessive about it, and it messes with my mind. I have been meticulously counting calories for 15 year, nonstop, and I think it has become an issue for me, because I eat according to my calories, and not my hunger and satisfaction level. Basically, it has taken all the intuition out of my eating. I think that for "normal" eaters, counting calories is a totally worthwhile venture, and it obviously helps lots of people lose weight, but in my situation, it is not an appropriate weight loss tool. I plan to continue my healthy eating plan, and I am sure I will loosely count the calories in my head, but I don't plan to obsess over it, or track my macros/cals on the site. I am sticking around, to keep my head in the game, but for the moment, cal counting isn't for me. Taking it one day at a time, though. good luck!

Same! its been really messing with my head. It gets so fustrating. I am just making concious effort to think about what/how much I am eating etc.

eat_run_play

Have to tell you, I feel exactly the same! I would love to add some friends who are committed to being healthy but don't want to count calories. I tried it from August 2011-Feb 2012, lost a great deal of weight and then became obsessive. So after that I made some changes and it's been great to step away from counting! would like to meet some other likeminded people. I still exercise 6 days a week (mostly running but also lift weights) and I eat 3 healthy meals a day (no snacks, no sweets, no seconds except on Saturday and Sunday I allow myself a few treats). This system works great for me and I've stayed about the same weight. The greatest thing is I don't beat myself up about going over calories because as long as I"m staying healthy and not feeling like I overate and still fitting in my clothes then everything is good! I know this website's main feature is calorie counting but I think there is also the chance for useful support in other ways.

My 2014 resolution is to stop counting calories, or to at least try it for a good chunk of time, and see how it works for me. I am very obsessive about it, and it messes with my mind. I have been meticulously counting calories for 15 year, nonstop, and I think it has become an issue for me, because I eat according to my calories, and not my hunger and satisfaction level. Basically, it has taken all the intuition out of my eating. I think that for "normal" eaters, counting calories is a totally worthwhile venture, and it obviously helps lots of people lose weight, but in my situation, it is not an appropriate weight loss tool. I plan to continue my healthy eating plan, and I am sure I will loosely count the calories in my head, but I don't plan to obsess over it, or track my macros/cals on the site. I am sticking around, to keep my head in the game, but for the moment, cal counting isn't for me. Taking it one day at a time, though. good luck!

Same! its been really messing with my head. It gets so fustrating. I am just making concious effort to think about what/how much I am eating etc.

usmcmp

I do iifym, which doesn't focus on calories, but meeting specific macronutrient targets.
I do this for my sport, to know that I'm eating the right macros to meet my goals.

When not doing this, I don't count. I find it tedious, stressful and unhealthy. I can manage my intake well enough to maintain without it...

IIFYM: If you hit your macros then you hit your calorie goal. Impossible to hit macros and be over calories.

HPLW0705

I have quit counting. I have been eating relatively clean for a little while now and I'm doing pretty well with making progress. I do look up my cheat meals though...then I try and exercise as much of it as I can off...I can't help myself!