Counting calories only??

funkyspunky871

Anybody had any success with JUST counting calories instead of fat grams, carbs, sugar, sodium, protein, fiber, etc? I find myself getting really obsessive lately... like I used to be about sugars and sodium about 7-8 months ago (it got to the point where I stopped eating just to keep from going over). I stopped tracking everything but calories and fat, and I've lost most of my 124 pounds that way. Now, I'm wanting to track only calories, because I'm feeling like "dieting" is taking over my life. What do you guys think? Do fat grams really matter that much?

marshmallowmind

I only focus on my calories. If I go over with anything else, it doesn't bother me so much, unless it's by a fair amount. But I'd keep tracking fat otherwise things may go wrong, might eat more fat than you'll realise. It's nice to have them there just as a ''just in case'' kinda thing.

scagneti

I found further away from my goal, I could lose without getting too much into the macros (if I was way over by one or two but under calories, I was still losing). Closer to the goal is tougher though.

Ashykins

I count my carbs more over then calories. When I count my carbs I am watching my sodium, sugar, and calories, all the food I eat now I usually fall under 1200 calories initially. I think counting carbs is better since it can control other things in food. I eat less sugar, bread, starches, and pastries actually. I don't crave for them that bad, and I ACTUALLY cook more! Nothing I eat is packaged usually! Just take your time and search around and do what you feel with work with maintaining your weight loss when you reach goal. I plan to eat low carb for the rest of my life really. It's just easier and I eat more home cooked stuff and I enjoy that and cooking ))

MaryS910

Wow, congratulations on your massive weight loss!!!! That is tremendous and judging from your facial pic, you look fantastic! What has been your exercise regimen? As far as counting more than calories, the jury is divided on that one from what I have read. Diabetics and pre-diabetics and really obese people who are at risk for diabetes should definitely count sugar. If you are a heart patient or have high blood pressure or a family history of either, you should definitely watch your sodium intake. Fat Grams? From what I understand, it depends on the type of fat, whether it's bad fat like transfat or good fat like in an avocado or almonds. Avoid transfat, hydrogenated fat and processed fat but ultimately, it's calories that make us gain weight.
1 lb = 3500 calories If you count your fats but then make up the difference in carbohydrates, you're not going to lose weight.
Just my opinion! Whatever you're doing, I'd keep doing it!

drog2323

I PM'd you.....I wouldn't sweat the small stuff. I would focus on the big picture. eat things from mother nature etc, don't eat the packaged crap, fast food etc.

Im positive you have the good basics understood of healthy eating, so personally, I wouldn't go nuts on the small stuff.

cc2r1511

I have only been counting calories and I have lost 20 pounds total so far (13 using myfitnesspal). I just try to avoid foods that I know are high in hat.

MinnieInMaine

First of all, congratulations on your incredible weight loss!!!!

I'm currently mostly concerned with my daily calories. As long as you're not eating much in the way of processed foods, your fats, carbs and sodium (the other factors that can hinder weight loss) shouldn't be too out of whack.

Either way, no harm in trying it out for a couple of weeks and seeing if works for you!!

healthyjen342

There's no hurt in trying and seeing if it works, I guess.

snookemz

No real harm in taking a couple of weeks to count just calories and see how it works out, right?
You've already done an amazing job thus far, if you make yourself crazy then you might run into a lot of problems. I had lost about 200lbs after my son was born and life was great until...my neurotic self sabatoged ME!!! I got way obsessed, set myself up for failure, then when I had my spinal cord injury (we hadno clue what it was then, I just started falling a lot and got hurt running a few times) everything reversed, I ate and ate to cover up my feelings of failure.
This time I have to start ALL over, I went through a pregnancy, 2 spinal surgeries, and too many proceedures to count before I finally said "enough is enough!!!" and now I'm doing this, starting at the top AGAIN! grrr! but determined not to obsess this time, I'm only counting calories BUT I do keep a slight eye on carbs to keep them around 30%, not low but slightly lower than MFP settings. If I go over, oh well. I usually notice that I've got 30-50g of carbs left around dinner so I'll make choices to fit with that better without going overboard and looking things up, I just go off what I know from the obsessing days and what is common dietary sense (like pasta = carby). At one point before I seriously had the caloric, carb, fiber, and protien values of a good 200 foods MEMORIZED. No lie. It took over my life. Now I'm working on living a good life, a happy life and a healthy life all in one, not a healthy life where I'm miserable, not a good happy life where I'm unhealthy, I want it all and I'm going to get there even if it goes a lot slower because I'm not micromanaging my dietary needs.