Tracking only calories?

Alexstrasza

Has anyone had success with only tracking their calories and nothing else?

Just kind of curious.

kelp99

In the past I lost weight (~40lbs) keeping track of my calories only (until I stopped and gained it all back and then some). So this time, I've been doing the same. I'm a picky eater, so I don't always satisfy the carb/protein/fat requirements.

126siany

You can, but I wouldn't recommend it.

First, it's difficult to get full nutrition on restricted calories. It's even more difficult if you don't track your macros.

Second, as you go through this process you may decide you want to make changes. Having a history of what you've been eating can be extremely helpful in deciding what changes would most benefit you.

Third, the folks who continue to eat poorly and only restrict calories tend to gain it back.

Alexstrasza

You can, but I wouldn't recommend it.

First, it's difficult to get full nutrition on restricted calories. It's even more difficult if you don't track your macros.

Second, as you go through this process you may decide you want to make changes. Having a history of what you've been eating can be extremely helpful in deciding what changes would most benefit you.

Third, the folks who continue to eat poorly and only restrict calories tend to gain it back.

I don't mean to do it and eat unhealthy. I just find it hard to eat enough protein and such. I make fairly healthy choices, I try to eat as much fresh produce as I can. But many days I fall short of certain things.

126siany

You can, but I wouldn't recommend it.

First, it's difficult to get full nutrition on restricted calories. It's even more difficult if you don't track your macros.

Second, as you go through this process you may decide you want to make changes. Having a history of what you've been eating can be extremely helpful in deciding what changes would most benefit you.

Third, the folks who continue to eat poorly and only restrict calories tend to gain it back.

I don't mean to do it and eat unhealthy. I just find it hard to eat enough protein and such. I make fairly healthy choices, I try to eat as much fresh produce as I can. But many days I fall short of certain things.

We all fall short on some things. Change is difficult and takes time.

But at least when you log you know where you're falling short and then you can set a goal to try to address those issues. You can also see how certain tweaks to your diet affect your workouts, how you generally feel, and your weight loss.

If your concern is more about what other people might say about your diary, keep it private.

You can do whatever you like, obviously. I find logging fully to be helpful and I can only speak for myself.

Pebble321

I assume you mean tracking calories and not worrying about macros (fat, carbs, protein)? Or the quality of the food that you are eating?

I think it depends where you are on your way to losing weight, I see it as a kind of continuum:
- If you are overweight and just getting started, then simply reducing calories is a great achievement, even if that just means eating smaller portions of the same kinds of food.
- Once this habit is established, it's a great idea to start looking at the kinds of foods that you are eating - making sure there are some veggies and fruit in there is a good place to start. And trying to ensure that the majority of what you eat is "good quality" food - ie. it brings you good nutrition, not just empty calories (ie a 400 calorie dinner of chicken, rice and veggies will give your body a whole lot of goodness whereas 400 calories of white wine give you a big buzz then a big headache but no actual nutrition).
- Once you get close to goal weight or if you have really specific goals around body composition, then it starts to get critical to pay attention to macros (I believe).

Jennloella

I do, I only quick add calories, but I'm not really trying to lose anymore (though this is how I lost) and I also make good food choices so it works well for me, takes less time (which I have none of to spare)

sharleengc

I only track calories. For me, it is too much to track everything! When I first started, I kinda sorta paid attention but not really. I found that I would be frustrated if I went over in a certain area based on one item. I finally decided that if I wasn't paying attention, I would just take them off. So, my diary only shows calories. That doesn't mean I am not conscious of items such as sodium and fats, because I am. I just don't actively track them.

crimsoncat

I only pay attention to my calories if that's what you mean. If I'm over on all my macros or under on all my macros it usually balances out because I have a tendency to crave carbs one day, protein the next and fats the next. I've lost 10 pounds this way. However, I will mention that I am stalled right now.

388gigi

Completely agree with 126siany :-)