Not counting?

amymeenieminymo
amymeenieminymo Posts: 2,394 Member
edited September 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I am thinking about not counting my calories anymore, for a while anyway. Today is day one, it's kind scary (been counting calories for over 2 years, the idea of not doing it kind of feels like letting go of a safety harness). But something isn't working, I feel too restricted. In the beginning it worked great, I felt weird if I didn't log and I loved seeing calories left over at the end of the night for a snack. But now if I want a snack bad enough and have no desire to work out (or work out more) I just eat it anyway and then some. On nights that I find myself with a lot of calories left over, I tend to eat them even if I am not hungry. I just feel stuck in a rut and this is not working.

It's killing me that I put 10 pounds back on and can't get them back off. I feel like I obsess over every bite I put in my mouth, worried when I go over my calories....I feel like my whole day is focused on food....can't wait till breakfast.....then I can't wait till lunch, then dinner etc. I feel like if maybe I just eat what I want but with some reason and try to eat healthy, I will not obsess about food so much. I'm very nervous trying this, but what I have been doing hasn't been working, hasn't been for a long time, so I have nothing to lose (except weight hopefully). I was just curious if anyone else has tried this and had success?

Replies

  • rockinmomto3
    rockinmomto3 Posts: 97 Member
    *hugs* It's tough to stay motivated! Counting calories has been the only way for me to really visualize what I'm putting into my body. I'm making better choices based on calorie content. You should also never deprive yourself of something you want. Just have a little bit! Like the other night, my husband decided he wanted me to make him a coke float. Instead of me making myself one or being really frustrated that I couldn't have one, I had a bite. Just one bite, I got the taste I wanted without 200+ calories to go with it. Plus when you deprive yourself, you're more likely to binge eat. You can do it any way you want, just make healthy choices!
  • GooBeGone
    GooBeGone Posts: 439 Member
    maybe u should do it a meal at a time instead of all at once? that way u can see how well u're guesstimatin.

    such as instead of doin the whole day, do ur lunch time. then when u feel comfy w/that add snacking, then add breakfast, then add dinner.

    maybe takin baby steps will help more. :flowerforyou:
  • Becky011
    Becky011 Posts: 384
    I know how you feel!! I feel like i have been on a diet my whole life. and at times it can become obsessive.

    The thing is, i haven't seen a whole lot of success without tracking. Even when I thought i was eating "healthy" i really wasn't (over 2500 calories a day) and the weight started packing on. The only time it worked (and by worked i mean i maintained my weight, i did not lose any) was when i was extremely active.

    If you want to maintain you are probably ok as long as you still excercise. if you want to lose, i don't suggest this.

    Maybe try a different approach. Someone else mentioned indulging a little. this helps me with it. It also helps me to look at it as a tool, versus a restriction. I see it as a way to spot healthier foods and foods that i can eat more of and provide more nutrition.

    I'm super impressed and jealous with what you have lost! You are so disciplined. Keep up the good work and do this for YOU and YOUR happiness. If YOU need a break from counting take it, just be cautious that it doesn't mess with what you really want.

    p.s. congrats!! looks like from your signature that you are engaged. best of luck!
  • ♥_Ellybean_♥
    ♥_Ellybean_♥ Posts: 1,646 Member
    Maybe instead of counting calories you could focus on another aspect of your diet? I know when I stalled back in May of this year, I switched from counting calories (obsessing about them) to counting carbs.. it seemed to help... because I was not obsessing about calories anymore, but I was still keeping track.

    Another idea, is to keep track of your fiber? or protein intake?

    Like GooBeGone said.. I would do it a meal at a time instead of all at once.
  • lisa511
    lisa511 Posts: 14
    My problem is... I obsess with food whether I am countng the calories or not. When I am counting, I still obsess, but I make better choices. You will never know if it will work for you unless you try. Just take it a day at a time and see how it goes. Good Luck!
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