Is this really a lifestyle change for you?

I definitely plan to keep on counting calories. I believe it's the only way to maintain...well at least for me :-)

I don't see how I can stop counting calories. I already know that it's very easy for me to eyeball what I'm eating, so by measuring everything and keeping track of everything, I don't have to worry about any kind of guesswork. I refuse to re-gain all of the weight that I'm going to lose, so I intend to continue counting calories, and eating right.

I plan to carry on calorie counting. Plus looking at the labels is a positive thing because it makes you think twice about the crap they get away with putting in food.

This definitely is a life style change for me! I do not plan to reach my ultimate goal to only turn around and go back to where I started with junk....However, I am not one to deprive myself now either. If I crave it, I will have it in moderation though. There is no sense in restricting yourself from treats here and there. It will only push you to binge on those treats later.

Just remember everything in moderation! I really don`t think there is any need to sit down with a super sized bag of chips and finish the bag in one sitting....If that is what you are craving, get a bowl and instead of refilling that bowl, save your special treat for the days ahead!

I still have a long way to go, but I am not willing to be so strict with myself that I end up regaining in the end anyways.....

So, for the most part, I don`t plan to count calories strictly, but maybe just keep a rolling tally in my head, that way I have a general idea where I stand.

For this whole lifestyle change I, and my wife, are much more process oriented than goal oriented. In other words. If we learn, and continue to eat healthy....If I continue to find challenges for myself physicly...the weight will take care of itself.

There are days I'm not going to count calories. There are days that I eat high fat, high calorie foods. But I understand that, that can't happen very often.

So yes, I would say it's a lifestyle change.

I lost 105 pounds 9 years ago and kept it off for years until my husband passed away. The funeral food got me lol. I maintained it without much thought - I DID mentally note the calories but didn't write them down. I kept a scale and had a weight range that was acceptable. My HORRIBLE move was getting rid of the scale when I moved and also giving up hope there and eating emotionally to fill the void of his death.

My mindset is I have to continue counting calories - otherwise I will quickly end up being in the same spot I'm in now - unhealthily overweight! Counting calories is making me accountable to my food choices and I can't see that changing once I reach my goal.

Counting calories is definitely part of my lifestyle. I just blogged about all the changes I've made, and how much I love my new lifestyle! I'm one pound away from my goal weight! :happy:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/fitgirl4life/view/i-ve-finally-got-the-lifestyle-i-want-42054

Lifestyle change for sure. I will feel better about myself and will of course eat something in moderation if I'm craving it but I know that if I stop once I hit my goal I will end up with every single pound back on me and it is not something I want. I will continue to exercise, keep processed junk out of my system (for the most part) , drink a ton of water and count my calories.

I've seen a few people who hit their final goal and then ask how to maintain without counting calories. If you're making a LIFEstyle change then I would think that counting calories is going to be part of your every day life. However, if you have been counting calories through out your weight loss journey then you should have a pretty good idea of what your daily intake should be without the pressure of counting calories every single day.

I've also seen a few people say that now they hit their goal, they wanted to use those extra calories for junk food. :noway:
Seriously? :ohwell:

So, I'm curious to know how many of you plan on counting calories even after you hit your final goal?
What's everyone's plan on how to maintain?

:flowerforyou:

For me, this is a permanent lifestyle change - for the rest of my life.

When I go onto maintenance, I am prepared for it to be a bit hit and miss until I find my correct daily calories allowance and then, yes, I will definitely be keeping tabs on those little calories.

My main aim though, is to continue to eat correctly with nutritious food and I have absolutely no intention whatsoever to going back to how I used to be when I would replace meals with sweets and cakes. To this day, I still marvel at how I am actually walking about, it is a miracle I am not dead to be honest. Looking back on what I used to eat, there is no way on earth that I was getting all the vitamins, minerals and protein that I needed, whereas now, I have never felt so well and healthy, ever!

And THAT is the reason why I will never, ever return to how I was.

I'm in it to win it... This absolutely is a lifestyle change for me and I can (right now) quit "counting" and still continue to lose. In fact I probably OVER estimate what I've eaten and generally come in under calorie goal. That said I'll probably continue the food diary to keep myself honest mostly because if I have to write it down and it's terrible I probably won't eat it.

I had this conversation with my dietitian. She agrees that logging calories is good for the time being, but she would like me to eventually be able to maintain my new lifestyle naturally. So, I guess, I need to make this way of eating second nature. I hope to get to that point some day, so, yes lifestyle change all the way.

I saw your goal of not eating chocolate. Chocolate in moderation is good for you.