Are you really losing weight by counting calories?
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I've only just started in 2013 but am losing weight. Reducing your net calories in vs calories out is how we lose weight. Personally I AM making healthier decisions counting calories. For example, I can chose to eat a large apple or one cookie for an afternoon snack. Most of the time I will chose the more filling and fullfilling apple. Making healthy food choices means I can eat more because unhealthy food tends to be calorie dense. Exercising earns me more to eat. I'm no genius, but the easier way to do this is to have a healthier diet.0
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For me, counting calories helps tremendously. I just didn't realize how many calories I was consuming before. It's so easy to take a bite here and there and not think anything about it, but those little bites add up....quickly! Year before last I started counting my calories. I also started exercising. I lost 49 lbs fairly quick. My life got a little hectic and I stopped counting calories for a while....needless to say, some of the weight crept back on. I promised myself to make this a lifestyle, this time around...yes, I have treats here and there (gotta have my chocolate) but again, the weight is starting to come off. Counting calories has also made me aware of the kinds of foods that I'm putting into my body. I eat better quality foods now. My health is just as important as my looks. Good luck!!!0
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Starting weight: 357
Current weight: 308
I've been using MFP since May (ignore my join date - I created a new account).
After a while, it gets easy to keep track of calories. I find I eat a lot of the same things every day, and I have their calorie counts nearly memorized. I still log them, though, just to make sure I don't go over. It's habit now. I plan to continue tracking when I hit maintenance because I don't want to gain weight. Plus, it's such a habit now that I get twitchy if I don't log everything before the end of the day. I tend to pre-log so I can plan my meals.
It's taught me a LOT about portion control. I also realized, early on, that some foods I thought were low-calorie were actually super high, whereas foods I thought were really high were actually kind of low. Logging taught me that you shouldn't be fooled by commercials, packaging, and the latest "X food is evil" propaganda.
Logging also taught me that, even though I thought I "wasn't eating that much" when I was 357, I really was. I didn't eat a lot of food, but the food I ate was really high in calories, carbs, sodium, and fat. I thought I was eating around 2500 calories per day, but I was really eating closer to 5000 or 6000. If I binged, I could hit upward of 8000. That terrifies me now, but it was the norm back then.
There are some days, usually after weight training, that I feel very hungry all day, even if I eat a lot of protein and fiber. I've learned that I can go over by 200 - 300 on those days because I'll make up for it other days, when I tend to stay below my calorie goal. The app shows your calories by week and your average for the week. As long as that number is still in the green/grey, I'm fine. It's been working for me for a long time. I really like using the app for that very reason.0 -
The general consensus is YES here, but be mindful of the quality of foods.
Yes, Calories In < Calories out = weight loss, but if you're aiming for a healthy, long term resullt and maybe eventually tone up, it's much more than the number.
I've just met with a nutritionist last night. She was explaining to me that we can often get too caught up with the caloric numbers and that it's better to have a 300 calorie meal/snack that is balanced between protein and carbs vs having that 90-calories cereal bar. She says, with nutritious foods, we feel fuller longer, and at the end of the day, you end up consuming the same amount of calories within your MFP budget because you are eating smaller portions of these nutritious, more satisfying foods. Makes sense, every time I have one of my "low-calorie snacks," Im hungry and hour and a half later.
I'm also a HUGE fan of never depriving yourself, like LoraF83 says. Enjoy the things you love, but in moderation. It's all about balance. I may have an extra glass of wine (or two), but that just means I have to work out harder the next day, or balance out my meal choices across the rest of the day.
Hope this helps...
Exactly! I'm glad you talked about not all calories being created equally.
I have been logging for about 3 weeks, I'm not so concerned with eating the exact amount of calories a day, I log mostly to keep track of my protein consumption and for accountability. I keep my diary public and the thought of logging a binge publicly keeps me on track. haha
I went into this as a lifestyle change, so I am eating as clean as possible. Avoiding processed/packaged food. If I go over in calories, I don't beat myself up because the extra calories are from real food, not processed junk and I'm still losing weight! I am just starting, but I have lost 10 pounds in 3 weeks. I'm not exercising yet, but will start soon. Hope this helps!0 -
Yes.0
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So, I have a similar question... for you who lost using only the calorie counting method. Did you use the calculator here on MFP to arrive at your "goal calorie" Intake? Do they differ at different sites?0
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We have a non-believer....It's free so give it a try for 2 months. set yourself up to lose 1lb/wk. count the calories you eat and what your expending. if your lower on the intake my bet is you'll have a smile at the end of month 2. Take measurments and pics before you start, because its addicting and you'll wish you had. Give it shot....what's to lose (except weight). Guarantee you at the end of week one you'll be sleeping better. I haven't remembered dreaming in over 2 years. by the end of the first week......dreaming like a baby.0
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Are you really losing weight by just counting calories and exercise? - YES
Is counting your calories teaching you to make better decision? - YES. That is why you log! So if by 4:00 you are starving but have used up all your calories, you need to go back & study what you ate. For me it was replacing my favorite Chipotle burrito with a salad, or eat my sandwhich as a lettuce wrap instead of with the bread. I needed more of my calories from protein, less from carbs (I am a recovery carbaholic). I learned that a pop-tart is SO NOT worth its calories. Yogurt is WAY BETTER & more fulfilling than ice cream. I try to keep grapes & radishes to snack on instead of potato chips.
What are you doing to make sure you stay under your calories? - I log what I eat and I have a goal to end the day at or under calories. After you get in the habit, you just know what you need to do & what you need to feed your body to hit your daily goal.
If you don't mind please also tell me you start weight and current weight from when you started counting your calories?
I've been a MFP for a couple of years. I've had some success, but then would get content & "proud of myself" and stopped logging and returned to old eating habits thus gaining it all back. On Sept 2012, I finally got it - I'm choosing a fit lifestyle:
SW 188
CW 167
GW 1400 -
They differ because MFP puts you at a base level of calories based upon your normal daily activity level (minus exercise), then expects you to eat back the calories you burn exercising. Many other sites factor exercise into your daily base calorie level.So, I have a similar question... for you who lost using only the calorie counting method. Did you use the calculator here on MFP to arrive at your "goal calorie" Intake? Do they differ at different sites?
A different method that some use here is detailed in Helloitsdan's "In Place of a Roadmap" post:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12
In this method, you calculate your total daily calorie burn (with exercise and activity included), then take a straight cut from it. The catch is that you need to be honest about your daily activity levels (and stick to them), or you could be consuming too many (or too few) calories.0 -
I lost 20lbs calorie counting and exercise. I now am trying to lose body fat % and get toned and build muscles so I'm eating cleaner and making better food choices... but I did lose weight by just calorie counting and eating what I wanted!0
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Yes... I am losing weight. for the first 50 pounds I didn't work out at all and lost it all with just watching my calories in and calories out. Then I added exercise and learned I needed to make sure my net calories stayed in the "magic number" ballpark for me to keep losing. Eventhough your eating your calories and exercising sometimes the combo of the two can drop you too low so be aware of how low your net cals get. Started at 275; current weight 163; goal weight 125-1300
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Are you really losing weight by just counting calories and exercise?
Yes
Is counting your calories teaching you to make better decision?
Yes and no. It's teaching me balance more than anything. I can have veal in cream sauce, but I'm going to have to put in an hour of swimming if I really want it.
What are you doing to make sure you stay under your calories?
Record everything the best I can, counting BEFORE I eat, PLANNING my day/week out so I know I'll be on track
If you don't mind please also tell me you start weight and current weight from when you started counting your calories?
SW: 290 (Beginning of Nov12)
CW: 2620 -
Yep. Starting weight 220 pounds, current weight 183 pounds. I've dropped inches from my 'true' waist (don't know exactly how many, but I'd guess 3 or 4), dropped from 38 inch waist pants to 32 inch waist pants. My dropped my body fat by several percentage points (again, not sure exactly how many, I didn't start measuring straight away).
I currently maintain a 500ish calorie deficit, though I started with a 1000 calorie deficit. I split my calories 40/30/30 carbs/protein/fat.
It's taught me a lot about portion control, and about estimating calorie intake. I still log everything, but now I can eyeball a meal and generally have a fairly good idea of how many Cals it will be. It's also taught me what a total waste of calories soda is. Juice is barely any better, but at least there are some nutrients in juice. I've also learned not to fear fat, carbs, or any other single aspect of diet. You have to look at things holistically.
As to exercise, being on these forums has taught me that cardio isn't the only way, and that lifting weights is an important tool in the arsenal. Lifting helps to indicate to your body that it should not burn muscle, which in turn means it burns mostly fat instead.
I run Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Did the couch to 5k program. When I started I could barely run 90 seconds without thinking I was going to die. Today, I just finished a 30 minute run.
I lift weights Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Started with light weight and high reps to learn form. Moved to heavy weights and low reps to protect my lean body mass (and maybe, just maybe, build a little more if I'm really lucky).0 -
I'm just curious....OTHER THAN watching calories, how do you think one would lose weight?
Honestly bc you can lose weight without counting calories. This is not the only method of losing weight. It all about changing you lifestyle for the better. Making sure you are eating better and this is not always done by physically counting calories.0 -
yes, it really works if you can follow it.0
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Started at 175 lbs, finished at 145 lbs. I have maintained the loss for one year, and did it by counting calories.0
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I'm just curious....OTHER THAN watching calories, how do you think one would lose weight?
Honestly bc you can lose weight without counting calories. This is not the only method of losing weight. It all about changing you lifestyle for the better. Making sure you are eating better and this is not always done by physically counting calories.
True, the mere act of counting them does not make you lose weight.
But I'll bet you dollars to donuts that any other method you care to mention works only because it creates a calorie deficit.1 -
Counting calories and exercise worked for me and I don't even have to exercise too much since I walk a TON!
So it works
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Yes...I am losing weight. It's a simple matter of calories burned versus calories eaten. I don't pay attention to anything but calories. I like to keep things simple.
I started a month ago and have lost seven pounds.
One thing to remember is not to be in a hurry. One to two pounds a week is a good AVERAGE. Don't weigh everyday expecting to see results. Stick with it for at least three months or don't even try this method.
Good luck!
I think that was my downfall. I weigh myself almost everyday and the weight is not coming off fast enough lol. But thanks for you advice.. It was helpful.0 -
I want to know the truth lol.. Are you really losing weight by just counting calories and exercise?
YES
Is counting your calories teaching you to make better decision?
YES
What are you doing to make sure you stay under your calories?
Not eating fast foods, minimizing processed foods, trying to eat way more fruit & veg.
If you don't mind please also tell me you start weight and current weight from when you started counting your calories?
I am down 26 pounds in 10 months. But my focus has not been the scale, it is the healthy eating and sticking with exercise, which has always been my struggle in the past.
I am just a little curious.0 -
Yes, I am losing weight by counting calories and recording exercise.0
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YES! SW = 169, CW = 133. Counting calories, exercising almost every day, and drinking 8 8 oz glasses of water. The only other thing I will say is that I PLAN ahead with shopping and cooking.
Good Luck!0 -
Are you really losing weight by just counting calories and exercise?
Yes I am.
Is counting your calories teaching you to make better decision?
Yes it does. I tend to stay away from higher calorie foods so I can maximize the amount of food I consume.
What are you doing to make sure you stay under your calories?
I plan my day's meals either the night before or that morning. Then I look at how close or over my calorie goal I am- then I can remove or add food to make it better. :-)
If you don't mind please also tell me you start weight and current weight from when you started counting your calories?
SW: Jan 1st 2013: 214.00
CW: Feb 6th 2013: 208.2 (On Jan 31st I was down to 206.4 but I gained 4 back over Super Bowl weekend... :-/ )0 -
I definately am! I am learning to make better choices and learning moderation. It is also rubbing off on my kids. I was on the Herbalife plan, I was always hungry, losing the same amount of weight and it was not helping my kids to learn better eating habits. I should have done this years ago.0
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Are you really losing weight by just counting calories and exercise?
Yes for sure
Is counting your calories teaching you to make better decision?
Yes
What are you doing to make sure you stay under your calories?
Measure, weigh, record.
If you don't mind please also tell me you start weight and current weight from when you started counting your calories?
115.6 kg in the beginning of november
99.2 kg last monday0 -
I want to know the truth lol.. Are you really losing weight by just counting calories and exercise? Is counting your calories teaching you to make better decision? What are you doing to make sure you stay under your calories? If you don't mind please also tell me you start weight and current weight from when you started counting your calories? I am just a little curious.
Yes.
SW: 174
LW: 123
CW: 136
I went from 174 to 123 eating 1200 calories plus my exercise calories, and working out. It works.
I went from 123 to 136 by not keeping up with my routine, but also adding in weight lifting.
My goal is 130 at 16% BF.
You said the weight isn't falling off fast enough:
(1) are you averaging 1 lb a week over long periods of time? ie. Have you lost approx 8 lbs in 2 months time?
(2) are you watching overall patterns, because our weight fluctuates throughout the day? (my weight used to go in the range 162-174, now it goes in the range 133-139.....if I gained a lb or two, i didn't freak out)
(3) the closer you get to a healthy BMI, the slower the weight goes, and in fact, you can hit plateaus. That's normal. Frustratitng, but normal.0 -
Yup0
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Are you really losing weight by just counting calories and exercise? Yes, in the most basic sense.
Is counting your calories teaching you to make better decision? Keeping track of calories has been one educational adventure for me. Some foods I had been overdoing portion sizes on, some foods I found I had been underdoing the portions - so I got to give a little and get a little. It definitely makes you more aware of what you put in your mouth. I can eat whatever I want, but a 300cal slice of cake isn't going to leave me as full as a super heaping 300cal salad, or a 300 cal egg sammich. So I pick my battles.
What are you doing to make sure you stay under your calories?
Move MORE, a lot more on some days. The days I move more, I am hungrier I get more calories to eat *YAY* The days I move less, I am actually less hungry, so it works out.
If you don't mind please also tell me you start weight and current weight from when you started counting your calories?
Started 355
Current 220 in 1 years time0 -
I'm just curious....OTHER THAN watching calories, how do you think one would lose weight?
I dont count calories, i dont log food, i eat primal/paleo, lots of protien from fish, meat, eggs, bacon, lots of veggies, nuts and fruits for snacks. The protien keeps me full so I dont have those constant hunger cravings, because i stay full, i nautrally control portions becasue i dont have to eat as much (which limits calories) and I dont haev any blood sugar spikes and crashes which REALLY used to make me hungry. I maintain an 80/20 paleo lifestyle since Jan 1 this year and I've lost 12 lbs so far.0 -
I want to know the truth lol.. Are you really losing weight by just counting calories and exercise? Is counting your calories teaching you to make better decision? What are you doing to make sure you stay under your calories? If you don't mind please also tell me you start weight and current weight from when you started counting your calories? I am just a little curious.
Yes, and I'm not being insane with it. 30-45 min of cardio 4-5 days a week and an hour or so of lifting 1-2.
Counting calories makes me make way better decisions and is teaching me to think critically.
September 7th 2012 I was my highest weight ever at 307lbs which is also when I started counting calories. I started with the workouts maybe a week later.
Thanks for your post and I wish you the best of luck with it..0
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