Counting Calories Does NOT work for me mentally

stardivap413

I have been struggling with my weight for a few years now. I started off with Weight Watchers and I did very well back in 2010 until I thought I could save money by doing it on my own, and I fell off the wagon. Since then I found MFP on my phone. It was great at first, but I was not really dedicated to it. I was annoyed by the fact that I had to count calories, but I loved the fact that it's free, I made lots of friends, and I could keep track of my nutrition. I've never really been faithful to this site, but trying very hard to eat under my calorie goal. I admit, I am an overeater, I do this a lot!

There is something about WW. the fact that I get to reward myself each week by getting extra points makes me want to follow it. the fact that I have 5 free fruits/veggie servings per day that I get to eat motivates me into thinking that I will be healthier. Do I sound crazy that I'd rather spend money and enter foods into a database based on four things (carb, fat, protein, fiber) rather than one thing on here for free (calories)?

I don't want to leave mfp, but my lack of motivation by having to count calories is really something I need to change. I love this site, I love my friends, but I think that WW really does work for me. I feel it's the only thing that works for me. Anyone else feel this way or is this just crazy old me being silly?

Just wanting some opinions, suggestions, etc

I have about 90 lbs to lose and keep off.

atrjohnson

I really feel that when it's time you will stick to what works for you. This is my first time trying MFP and I make it work because I have to for health reasons(PCOS). But if I had never received that diagnosis I would never have started this. It's sad to admit it but it's true. For me, timing has been everything.

stardivap413

I really feel that when it's time you will stick to what works for you. This is my first time trying MFP and I make it work because I have to for health reasons(PCOS). But if I had never received that diagnosis I would never have started this. It's sad to admit it but it's true. For me, timing has been everything.

Im glad you are here making better changes for your health. I hate the way I look., feel and the health issues I am beginning to have. I think that i am really stressing myself out so much about weight loss that its making me feel like I will never get there. You may be right, hopefully I will find what I love and stick to it. Good luck to you. I hear this site works wonders for those who really stick to it, I just lack the motivation to do it on here for some reason

imnotyourpal

I think we should all do what works for us, personally. If it's WW for you, then so be it.

sevsmom

The goal is to find a way of life that helps you reach and maintain your healthy weight. If WW works better for you, you should do that. I use this site to help me be mindful of what i"m putting in my mouth! Calorie counting helps me, but it could be a hinderance to others. Do what works for you! The goal is a healthier body weight and a HEALTHY path to getting there!!

cessnaholly

If that is what works for you - do it. Everyone is different and the bottom line is, you need to find what works for you and stick to it.

stardivap413

The goal is to find a way of life that helps you reach and maintain your healthy weight. If WW works better for you, you should do that. I use this site to help me be mindful of what i"m putting in my mouth! Calorie counting helps me, but it could be a hinderance to others. Do what works for you! The goal is a healthier body weight and a HEALTHY path to getting there!!

That makes me feel better! thank you

stardivap413

If that is what works for you - do it. Everyone is different and the bottom line is, you need to find what works for you and stick to it.

You are right! Thank you for your kind words

wingsandgills

There are many folks who lose weight successfully without counting calories. It's all about what works for you. I need the structure and tracking calories throughout the day really helps! But to others it'll feel tedious and taxing. There is no one single right way, and you simply have to do what feels right!

Weight Watchers is a great program. Doctors generally love it for their patients seeking weight loss, which is more than you can say for most of the programs out there. You get structure without the tedious number crunching. I recommend doing the program for real and going to the weekly meetings. They generally don't result in mind-blowing epiphanies, but the act of taking an hour out of your week to focus on your health goals, to discuss obstacles and how to overcome them, and to celebrate your successes, is actually immensely helpful.

MinnieInMaine

Nothing wrong with that! I came from the old WW plan and had to tweak my settings a little because of that whole weekly allowance points thing (we didn't have free fruits then, just mostly free veggies). Even now, a year after joining MFP, I have my calorie goal set lower than it should be so that I have some wiggle room. My BMR is 1500 but my daily calories are set at 1400. That way if I go over a little, it still shouldn't effect my weight loss.

Maybe what you could do is set your weight loss goal to 2 pounds per week to give you the maximum calorie deficit and then try to hit that goal as often as you can but know that if you go over a few hundred with fruit that it won't be a huge deal. You may lose more like 1 pound a week that way but as long as the scale is moving in the right direction, that's all that really matters.

lovelynn99

I tried Weight Watchers too! I had trouble with it. I have lost more than on here than I lost on Weight Watchers. I lost a total of 2.5lbs in 4 months. I have lost 4lbs on here! I really like how I can take it everywhere! So push yourself to do what you know it right!!

Don't stop I believe in you!
John 3:16
Shelby Rogers

stardivap413

There are many folks who lose weight successfully without counting calories. It's all about what works for you. I need the structure and tracking calories throughout the day really helps! But to others it'll feel tedious and taxing. There is no one single right way, and you simply have to do what feels right!

Weight Watchers is a great program. Doctors generally love it for their patients seeking weight loss, which is more than you can say for most of the programs out there. You get structure without the tedious number crunching. I recommend doing the program for real and going to the weekly meetings. They generally don't result in mind-blowing epiphanies, but the act of taking an hour out of your week to focus on your health goals, to discuss obstacles and how to overcome them, and to celebrate your successes, is actually immensely helpful.

You are the best. You are right, actually going to meetings might help me to focus on me and my goals. Thank you sooo much!!

TrailRunner61

So you don't like the actual calorie counting or the restriction of calories? You say that you like WW's because you can have all the fruits/veggies you want. Try eating all the veggies you want. Add fruit to your diet. There are no food restrictions on MFP. You said that WW allows for a treat if you have extra points. Give yourself a treat once a week! It wont hurt you! If you want a daily treat or a snack after dinner, make sure you exercise daily so you have extra calories ( just like points!) to fit in a snack. YOU can do this, you want to! Believe in yourself girl!

stardivap413

I tried Weight Watchers too! I had trouble with it. I have lost more than on here than I lost on Weight Watchers. I lost a total of 2.5lbs in 4 months. I have lost 4lbs on here! I really like how I can take it everywhere! So push yourself to do what you know it right!!

Don't stop I believe in you!
John 3:16
Shelby Rogers

Thank you Shelby!!! I needed that encouragement. I was just so down about it! Now I'm feeling better.

loombeav

If WW works for you then go with it, that doesn't mean you have to leave MFP. You can still use the site for motivation, keep in touch with the friends you've made and track your exercise.
I will say, you're able to track Fat, Carbs, Fiber & Protein on here as well. I did WW once and basically their points system breaks down to 1 point for every 100 or so calories. Of course some fruits and veggies are 0 points, but just because WW considers them to be 0 does not mean the calories from them don't add up.

montana_girl

I agree with the previous posts... go with what works for you!

I'm a bit opposite from you.... I use MFP to count caloires, but go to the WW meetings for support and accountibility. I've been doing WW for 8 years now and it helped me to lose over 100 pounds, but I find maintaining is easier when I count calories. This is what works for me, so I do it.

Find some balance and what works for you. You can still use this site for support and motiviation and use the WW program for the food aspect. :flowerforyou:

idlose

the reason that this works for me, is because with WW you just add points and there are many packaged WW foods where you just have to look at the points on the label and log it without actually having to look at the content for a smarter choice. on here you dont only track calories, i track all things...esp carbs. it teaches you to learn your foods and not eat pre packaged food. I do really like WW, and i think it is fantastic...but for each person it is really going to depend on where your mind set is. as with any weight loss, there are pre packaged foods, and ways to track them. you just have to find what works for you. at least you are using WW or MFP to do it and not eat all the foods pre made for you, because then you never learn how to make the right choices and once you go off those food programs, you will prob gain it back. anyhow, good luck!! just find your motivation and commit!!

Marillian

I quit WW a few months ago and totally love MFP. However, if WW works for you, then go for it!

Just remember that, except for water, nothing is really "free." The purpose of the zero points+ for fruits and vegetables is to encourage you to eat more of them as opposed to less healthy choices. The "free points" is for ONE serving. A banana may be zero points, but if you eat 2, 3 or 5 of them, you do need to factor in those points.

Good luck on whatever path you choose to get to a healthy weight!

stardivap413

Nothing wrong with that! I came from the old WW plan and had to tweak my settings a little because of that whole weekly allowance points thing (we didn't have free fruits then, just mostly free veggies). Even now, a year after joining MFP, I have my calorie goal set lower than it should be so that I have some wiggle room. My BMR is 1500 but my daily calories are set at 1400. That way if I go over a little, it still shouldn't effect my weight loss.

Maybe what you could do is set your weight loss goal to 2 pounds per week to give you the maximum calorie deficit and then try to hit that goal as often as you can but know that if you go over a few hundred with fruit that it won't be a huge deal. You may lose more like 1 pound a week that way but as long as the scale is moving in the right direction, that's all that really matters.

I did not think about that. how would I be able to change those settings?

Brittfig08

Do what works for you! I have a coworker doing both, and the funny things is by the time she tracks on both, her point value for WW equates to what her calorie target is on MFP. So it's not about which tool, but which tool works for you and you'll continue to use!
Good luck in your journey, after losing 10lbs i fell off the wagon and am trying to get back on track!

AZKristi

WW works for a lot of people, and the concepts behind their program are nutritionally sound. If you have the money to spend and you like it - I say go for it. The key to success on any program is honesty (with yourself) about your activity level and what you put in your mouth and commitment.

stardivap413

the reason that this works for me, is because with WW you just add points and there are many packaged WW foods where you just have to look at the points on the label and log it without actually having to look at the content for a smarter choice. on here you dont only track calories, i track all things...esp carbs. it teaches you to learn your foods and not eat pre packaged food. I do really like WW, and i think it is fantastic...but for each person it is really going to depend on where your mind set is. as with any weight loss, there are pre packaged foods, and ways to track them. you just have to find what works for you. at least you are using WW or MFP to do it and not eat all the foods pre made for you, because then you never learn how to make the right choices and once you go off those food programs, you will prob gain it back. anyhow, good luck!! just find your motivation and commit!!

I do eat a lot of pre packaged foods and my sodium is nuts. i will def have to make some changes for sure. thanks

TheChocolatePrincess

If it works for you, that is what you should do. And just because you aren't actually counting calories doesn't mean you have to give up on the community of friends that you have built on MFP. Everyone needs a support system. So you can combine the support of MFB with the nutrition guidelines and structure of Weight Watchers. Good Luck!

stardivap413

I agree with the previous posts... go with what works for you!

I'm a bit opposite from you.... I use MFP to count caloires, but go to the WW meetings for support and accountibility. I've been doing WW for 8 years now and it helped me to lose over 100 pounds, but I find maintaining is easier when I count calories. This is what works for me, so I do it.

Find some balance and what works for you. You can still use this site for support and motiviation and use the WW program for the food aspect. :flowerforyou:

thank you! thank you! thank you! and good luck to you!

daphnegetnfit

You could try counting points on your own first. If you buy a points calculator, and the dining out and food companion book, you can keep track of your points - plus the app Fooducate There is a free version and one that costs 3.99 - it has a scanner and gives WW point values. It would be a little more work counting points on MFP but is doable. If you do better paying for WW and going to meetings or do on line than do that. Whatever works for you. Personally, I like WW points program, but I like MFP web site better. I think WW needs to update Etools, but it is a heck of a lot easier tracking points on Etools than MFP. (you can adjust your settings in MFP recipe maker so you can figure out the points value of any recipe you enter too!). :drinker:

Jill_newimprovedversion

It sounds SO overwhelming- it did to me too- but instead of trying to log everything, at least try to keep track of things you eat most often- and especially utlilize the food recipe tool that will give you an accurate count of the things you prepare.

Ya know, you can do both- just log what you can- and guesstimate the rest for now...

I've found it VERY helpful to be able to keep track of other things besides JUST calories.
For example, sodium is a HUGE factor for me- so keeping tabs on that intake, as well as my water, ect. is a great tool I wouldn't want to omit.


For me, I realized I got where I was because I didn't care and didn't pay attention...the only way to UNdo that, was to DO the complete OPPOSITE...that is, START caring and PAY ATTENTION- that meant logging

stardivap413

Do what works for you! I have a coworker doing both, and the funny things is by the time she tracks on both, her point value for WW equates to what her calorie target is on MFP. So it's not about which tool, but which tool works for you and you'll continue to use!
Good luck in your journey, after losing 10lbs i fell off the wagon and am trying to get back on track!

I'm glad you said that, I feel like when I get off track it's the end of the world. All of these nice posts are helping me to see that its not! we can take it one day at a time. good luck to you!!

bcr1559

I think you should go back to weight watchers. You can still use MFP for the support if you want to but WW is a great plan! Use what works for you. The most important thing when trying to get healthy is YOU. Spent the money and don't feel guilty about it. You are worth the $40 or so a month!

Deipneus

I'm glad to see all the positive responses you got. It's so common for people to find what works for them and then try to convert everyone else to their way of doing it. Weight loss and fitness is highly individualized and no one thing seems to work for everyone.

PeaceCorpsKat

Hey... I am a HUGE! I mean HUGE over eater. I can sit down an eat a whole pound of pasta.

I find that it isnt' a good idea to try to fight against that.

So what I have done is I have replaced a pound of pasta with two pounds of veggies. I eat HUGE meals, but they are high nutrient and low calorie.

Like I will get two bags of salad, a cup of shredded carrots, a half cup of steamed lentils, a serving of champagne vinnagarette, 1.8 cup sun flower or pumpkin seeds, 1/8 cup of dried cranberries - and eat all of that that's like 20 cups of salad. You can't be hungry after that.

So my suggestion is don't eat any fake food - no artifical sweetners or wierdly low fat/low carb stuff. Concentrate on real food - and lots of veggies - It really works.

I am eating around 1500/day and I am losing weigh faster than I thought possible.

stardivap413

You could try counting points on your own first. If you buy a points calculator, and the dining out and food companion book, you can keep track of your points - plus the app Fooducate There is a free version and one that costs 3.99 - it has a scanner and gives WW point values. It would be a little more work counting points on MFP but is doable. If you do better paying for WW and going to meetings or do on line than do that. Whatever works for you. Personally, I like WW points program, but I like MFP web site better. I think WW needs to update Etools, but it is a heck of a lot easier tracking points on Etools than MFP. (you can adjust your settings in MFP recipe maker so you can figure out the points value of any recipe you enter too!). :drinker:

you are amazing, thanks for the helpful info. I am downlaoding the app now!!!