What are people doing: Counting calories or counting carbs?

neanderthin

I count the hours.....nothing after 6

ibitezombies

This is something that I'm interested in hearing peoples opinions on. I'm coming from from doing Weight Watchers where it was a very simple points system (all food has a point value except fruits and veg which have zero points). There's no carbs etc to worry about.

Now coming to MFP it's all very overwhelming with different amounts of calories and carbs etc.

I'll be trying to stick to my recommended percentages, but we'll have to see how it goes!

Pollywog39

Pretty much calories only. I have a problem getting enough protein, so do try to track that...............whatever I'm doin' seems to be working!

chriscoates7025

I count calories only. If I try to wory about any other catagories it gets too confusing

lorigreg

I agree with you Lizzie. Everything in moderation. I'm counting calories too.

lorigreg

I agree with you. I think if you try to watch everything, then it is stressful and you will end up quitting. Calories only for me.

nnapieralski

I count both and try to keep my carbs under 70. It's actually pretty easy if you plan ahead and get creative.

TriedEverything

I must admit, I really only pay attention to the calories - but as I've not lost much weigh yet since joining MFP, I am not a great advertisement for this at the moment! :ohwell: But calorie counting has worked really well for me in the past. And I think it will work again, as long as I can stop myself going off the rails, like I just did at Christmas! :blushing:

Having said that - although I don't actually count carbs as such, I usually try to avoid having, say, bread at breakfast, and again at lunch (doesn't always work out like that though). But I think it's best to keep things simple, especially if you're fairly new to it all. Anyway, good luck, whichever way you decide to proceed!

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

I do both sort of-- calories are my first priority but now that I'm good at hitting my calorie goal I've started watching my macros as well.

mcdonl

Calories in Calories out...

That being said none of them come from pastries, sweets, candy, etc...

I also eat only high fiber, multi grain breads and pastas but those are limited to.

I did the 5000 calories of steak and brocolli for almost a decade with a lot of success, but by that I mean I didnt gain weight... which in this day and age is important... but in my 40's now... I needed to watch calories and change up my workouts.

mcdonl

I count calories only. If I try to wory about any other catagories it gets too confusing

With 42 pounds loss I would not change a thing!!

KavemanKarg

I count FAT.

The more FAT the more weight I lose.

Took me a long time and a lot of experimentation to see that.

I can sometimes have 80 carb a day, and 350+ grams of fat, still be in ketosis and still lose weight.

Hunger? No thanks. I get hungry, I eat. I lose weight.

Non-fat fake dressings? No thanks

Skim milk with no flavor and no means to transport fat soluble vitamins? No thanks I drink 35% cream right from the jug sometimes

Funny enough by eating fat protein takes care of itself.

musdoit2

I Have to watch Calories / Sodium and Carbs.. my losses work best when I am under 20 carbs per day

nicehormones

Calories. I love carbohydrates and do not restrict them.

Picola1984

Calories and carbs for me

Although I am annoyed if I go over fat, even if it is from good sources

terrellc1

I count Carbs only.

In my opinion it's the only way to live and enjoy your food! Lobster, steak, chicken, snow peas, wine, fats (in small amounts) strawberries....Yummmmm

Me, too! :drinker:

visiri

Just calories - I find that I get a good mix of fat, protein and carbs by watching calories. If I was only counting carbs, my fat would skyrocket and my gallbladder would be very unhappy.

Alisha_countrymama

I count carbs and I've lost 100 pounds

MzGreedii

Calories, and then carbs

HMonsterX

Calories, plenty of protein, hit my targets for fat and carbs naturally anyway.

Why overcomplicate it?

ComeAroundSundown

Counting calories & trying to keep carbs <105g per day. If I do go over on carbs, I don't worry about it. I just have less the next day.

eksims1

I'm counting calories and so far it has been awesomely working for me. My boss on the other hand is counting carbs and that is working for her. I don't fully understand carb counting, so I'm gonna stick with what's easy, and working.

AdAstra47

I count calories, but I also try to get a 40/30/30 split between carbs/protein/fat.

^^^ that's a lot of protein!

Ha! My doc recommended 5/65/30 carbs/protein/fat for me. THAT'S a lot of protein. But it's worked wonders.

This subject is like any other on the forums: it will depend on your individual body. Some people can use the calories in / calories out model, that's all they need to watch and it works just fine for them. But other people can't lose weight unless they watch their sodium, or their protein, or their carbs.

Personally, my doc told me to eat my body weight in protein per day and stay under 30 g carbs. So those two are the things I worry about, I don't really pay attention to calories except to lower my total calorie goal each time I lose 20 lb.

ki4yxo

Fats and sodium. If I can find a balance,
I'm doing awesome. Never been big in
to sweets, but I love bread, pasta, carbs.


Sorry, can't eat a stick of butter and not
have a slice of bred. :sick:

With MFP, I now look at it all.