I've stopped counting calories & weight is still dropping.

FAT!

After some time, I’ve chosen to stop counting calories. I hear many of you on here saying “a calorie is a calorie” - or “just stay under your calorie limit and you will be fine”.

I couldn’t disagree with those comments any more. First off - a pound of fat is equal to 4082 calories. I know many of you think it’s 3500 calories, but that is just a myth that has made it’s way to mainstream and now spoken as facts by almost everyone.

Lets break it down - 1 gram of fat = 9 calories (undisputed). Well if that is the case - and there are 453.6 grams in a pound - a pound of fat MUST have 4082 calories. Granted that 1 lb of fat isn’t even really 1 lb of pure fat! In fact, about 1/6 of a pound of fat is actually water! So TECHNICALLY the fat part of that 1 lb. of pure fat would be 3400 calories to burn - plus the excess water.

And about this calorie is a calorie BS. Really? Do some of you really think that 2000 calories of chocolate = 2000 calories of fruits and veggies? Would someone who is trying to lose weight and eating 2000 calories a day of sugar have the same results of someone eating 2000 calories a day of veggies? Of course not! Our bodies react differently to different foods - regardless of their calorie intake.

I should be eating around 2,200 calories a day for my size (5’11 - 250 lb.) if I wanted to lose 2 lb. per week. Yet I have continually ate around 1,300 - 1,600 calories per day - many days eating more because I felt I needed to to have energy (mind playing tricks).

I have been eating very clean. Hardly any grain, mostly beans, lentils, fresh veggies, seeds, the occasional vega or genuine health shake - even the occasional beef burger &/or pizza slice (I added that in to show I am not vegan- more-so plant based). Well since I’ve stopped counting calories - I’ve not noticed my weight continuing to drop, while not worrying about calorie counting. I understand what is good food, what is bad food (shouldn’t even be considered food at all), and I have also discovered portion control. I’ve also taught myself to drink 24oz of lemon water when I feel hungry and wait - just to see if it was hunger, or I was bored. Most of the time I still eat, but not as much b/c the water is filling too.

Many people on this site is accurate with their calorie counting anyway. I weigh and measure my food and I believe I am still off by 20% or more at times with certain foods.

Lastly, I’ll touch on protein. This has to be one of the hardest myths to crack - YOU DON’T NEED 1-2 Grams of protein to build/maintain muscle! I don’t care what Arnold told you! He was on steroids so eating ANY amount of protein would have had a much greater affect on him than anyone else eating less or the same protein as him.

According to the Institute of Medicine, the average healthy adult requires 0.36 g of protein per pound of body weight per day. So for example, if you weigh 150 lb.., you would need 54 g of protein a day. In food terms, that would equal a 4 oz. piece of chicken, 6 oz. cup of Greek yogurt and a half-cup of skim milk.

Athletes and people over the age of 60 might benefit from increasing the recommended amount of protein in their diets to support muscle growth and prevent muscle loss, respectively. The recommended amount of protein for strength and endurance athletes ranges from 0.5 to 0.8 g of protein per pound. Older adults may benefit from increasing the amount of protein in their diets to 0.5 g of protein per pound per day. That is a far cry from 1-2 g everyone is saying on here. I have gone with lower protein, I’ve noticed muscle size increase and strength too. Any of the excess protein you eat is excreted out. So don’t worry if you’re under a little!

Bottom line, do what works for you at this moment, but make sure you have an exit strategy or a sustainable method. I know some people on here have lost over 100 lb. and track calories like it was second nature - but I believe they don’t need to anymore. They tracked until they know what acceptable amounts are, what clean foods are, and what portion control is. If you see the scale go up, then you know to eat cleaner - more greens & veggies. Remove the processed foods (they are horrible for you anyway).

For those that continue to count calories - it’s not a perfect method (none are), but it should at the very least teach portion control.

Also - Probably the most important thing - It’s not how many calories, it’s what the body can do with it! Choose foods rich in nutrients - not low in nutrients and rich in calories! I will say that calories are a good thing to count if you are not doing anything other than counting and measuring weight.

I’ll leave the scale and not measuring your body for another rant & I will still be on here until my goal is reached! (like calorie counting - seeing all of your success stories is real motivating ).


Quote :Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect. - Mark Twain

While reading this wall of text I read "Lastly "and got my hopes up, thinking that the wall of text was over.

Well, I was lied to. You went on and on and on. How can I respect your words when You don't finish talking soon after saying "lastly"?

Lastly, if counting calories don't work for you. Thats fine. Many people in the past, present and future have lost weight without counting calories. MFP's counting calories is just another way of doing it and I (along with many others like this method.

I bid you good luck sir. Take care

Almost spewed coffee. You should warn me before you're going to be funny.

I do agree with OP on one thing for sure, though. Since I stopped thinking of processed foods like snack cakes as 'food' (as in something I'll eat), life has been much better and my weight loss much more consistent. But I can and have gained weight or not lost while avoiding those un-foods entirely, which is why I still count calories.

And getting enough protein isn't my worry, either. I need to make sure to get enough fat, though, or I'll end up binging on steak and onions and butter.

Of course there are those that DO care about calories. Misguided though I think that is, there's no reason to bash it. Everyone has to find what works for them, and it's going to be highly dependent on their goals and priorities.

Just my two cents. But I'm glad you've figured out what works for you and even happier to see that it is the whole foods/few grains approach.

Of course there are those that DO care about calories. Misguided though I think that is, there's no reason to bash it. Everyone has to find what works for them, and it's going to be highly dependent on their goals and priorities.

Just my two cents. But I'm glad you've figured out what works for you and even happier to see that it is the whole foods/few grains approach.

Can you explain why you think counting calories is misguided?