Anybody not count calories?

Harrisonsauntie
Harrisonsauntie Posts: 119
in Food and Nutrition
I was wondering if there was anyone on here who do not count calories for whatever reason?
«1

Replies

  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,751 Member
    I do iifym, which doesn't focus on calories, but meeting specific macronutrient targets.
    I do this for my sport, to know that I'm eating the right macros to meet my goals.

    When not doing this, I don't count. I find it tedious, stressful and unhealthy. I can manage my intake well enough to maintain without it...
  • windimera
    windimera Posts: 4 Member
    I count carbs.just easier and less counting.my carbs goal each day is around 120. That is what Dr.Atkins recommends to lose weight healthy.
  • Harrisonsauntie
    Harrisonsauntie Posts: 119
    I do iifym, which doesn't focus on calories, but meeting specific macronutrient targets.
    I do this for my sport, to know that I'm eating the right macros to meet my goals.

    When not doing this, I don't count. I find it tedious, stressful and unhealthy. I can manage my intake well enough to maintain without it...

    Thanks for the reply. What sport do you do?
    I am trying to lose weight without counting calories to much.. I do a "check in" as I eat usually the same everyday.
  • twixlepennie
    twixlepennie Posts: 1,074 Member
    I'm in maintenance and am not counting calories right now. I've been able to stay within my 3lb maintenance window without having to, but I have other checks and balances in place that are working well (like daily weigh ins etc). If things change I will adjust :)
  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,751 Member
    I do iifym, which doesn't focus on calories, but meeting specific macronutrient targets.
    I do this for my sport, to know that I'm eating the right macros to meet my goals.

    When not doing this, I don't count. I find it tedious, stressful and unhealthy. I can manage my intake well enough to maintain without it...

    Thanks for the reply. What sport do you do?
    I am trying to lose weight without counting calories to much.. I do a "check in" as I eat usually the same everyday.

    I compete in bodybuilding...my life at the moment is either eating enough to grow, or eating less to drop fat!
  • Harrisonsauntie
    Harrisonsauntie Posts: 119
    I do iifym, which doesn't focus on calories, but meeting specific macronutrient targets.
    I do this for my sport, to know that I'm eating the right macros to meet my goals.

    When not doing this, I don't count. I find it tedious, stressful and unhealthy. I can manage my intake well enough to maintain without it...

    Thanks for the reply. What sport do you do?
    I am trying to lose weight without counting calories to much.. I do a "check in" as I eat usually the same everyday.

    I compete in bodybuilding...my life at the moment is either eating enough to grow, or eating less to drop fat!

    Yes I am trying to drop fat. What do you do then to ensure you're not eating to much? or is this when you log?
  • bobbijodmb
    bobbijodmb Posts: 463 Member
    When i started I didn't count calories- but I lost weight much slower. So for the first two years I probably lost 10-15 lbs a year. And then in the 3rd and 4th years I started to semi count them-- losing 35 lbs a year.

    This last year i have really watched and counted and I lost 56 lbs.

    So it works, and it worked for me, but now I see that if I want to get to maintenance, its the best way for me to do it.
  • nomeejerome
    nomeejerome Posts: 2,616 Member
    Yes, there are many people who do not count calories because they have different goals. You will find that not everybody is here for the same reason.
  • Harrisonsauntie
    Harrisonsauntie Posts: 119
    When i started I didn't count calories- but I lost weight much slower. So for the first two years I probably lost 10-15 lbs a year. And then in the 3rd and 4th years I started to semi count them-- losing 35 lbs a year.

    This last year i have really watched and counted and I lost 56 lbs.

    So it works, and it worked for me, but now I see that if I want to get to maintenance, its the best way for me to do it.

    Thats interesting, thanks for your reply. I have currently stalled while I get my head round what I want to do. Im trying to focus on quality food with some treats and portion control.
  • bobbijodmb
    bobbijodmb Posts: 463 Member
    I used to be against counting them. I was like I will never do that. I don't know what my hesitation was- probably that I thought it would be a ton of work. At first it was because I didn't realize how many calories were in things, etc. But now even when I don't log them in, I am still aware and in my head counting them. It just makes me very aware of everything I eat/drink.
  • justinproulx1
    justinproulx1 Posts: 335
    I dont....I county my macros on a cut, when bulking I dont count nothing once I get past 35 grams of fiber and my protein grams for that day
  • Phoenix_Warrior
    Phoenix_Warrior Posts: 1,633 Member
    Wait, macros have a caloric value, ergo you still count calories just in the sense of balancing nutrients..or am I crazy?
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    When I was actively trying to lose I counted and was very meticulous. During those 7-8 months or so I made sure I took the time to really look at my plate and got a really good handle on servings and what my daily calories pretty much looked like. Basically I took the time to learn how to eat properly...in appropriate amounts and appropriate nutrition.

    I've been at maintenance for about 7 months now and I don't count...I've been able to easily maintain my weight by sticking to proper portions, getting my nutrition on, and rocking my fitness. I'm also fairly confident that I could lose a little if I wanted to as well without going back to calorie counting...would just have to cut out a couple of things from my daily intake. I still use my foods scale and weigh or measure pretty much everything...unless I'm out and about of course.
  • Harrisonsauntie
    Harrisonsauntie Posts: 119
    Wait, macros have a caloric value, ergo you still count calories just in the sense of balancing nutrients..or am I crazy?

    No not crazy but she was saying that she is more concerned with her macros than the calories.
  • eat_run_play
    eat_run_play Posts: 30 Member
    I don't! it's the best thing I ever did (or didn't do). now i just eat 3 sensible meals a day with lots of protein. i avoid sweets, seconds and snacks during the week and allow myself some freedom on the weekend. i exercise 6 days a week. works for me! no need to create obsessions in my mind or feel bad if i "went over calories". used to count calories. it ended up making me have an eating disorder. no more!
  • soupandcookies
    soupandcookies Posts: 212 Member
    My 2014 resolution is to stop counting calories, or to at least try it for a good chunk of time, and see how it works for me. I am very obsessive about it, and it messes with my mind. I have been meticulously counting calories for 15 year, nonstop, and I think it has become an issue for me, because I eat according to my calories, and not my hunger and satisfaction level. Basically, it has taken all the intuition out of my eating. I think that for "normal" eaters, counting calories is a totally worthwhile venture, and it obviously helps lots of people lose weight, but in my situation, it is not an appropriate weight loss tool. I plan to continue my healthy eating plan, and I am sure I will loosely count the calories in my head, but I don't plan to obsess over it, or track my macros/cals on the site. I am sticking around, to keep my head in the game, but for the moment, cal counting isn't for me. Taking it one day at a time, though. good luck!
  • Harrisonsauntie
    Harrisonsauntie Posts: 119
    My 2014 resolution is to stop counting calories, or to at least try it for a good chunk of time, and see how it works for me. I am very obsessive about it, and it messes with my mind. I have been meticulously counting calories for 15 year, nonstop, and I think it has become an issue for me, because I eat according to my calories, and not my hunger and satisfaction level. Basically, it has taken all the intuition out of my eating. I think that for "normal" eaters, counting calories is a totally worthwhile venture, and it obviously helps lots of people lose weight, but in my situation, it is not an appropriate weight loss tool. I plan to continue my healthy eating plan, and I am sure I will loosely count the calories in my head, but I don't plan to obsess over it, or track my macros/cals on the site. I am sticking around, to keep my head in the game, but for the moment, cal counting isn't for me. Taking it one day at a time, though. good luck!

    Same! its been really messing with my head. It gets so fustrating. I am just making concious effort to think about what/how much I am eating etc.
  • eat_run_play
    eat_run_play Posts: 30 Member
    Have to tell you, I feel exactly the same! I would love to add some friends who are committed to being healthy but don't want to count calories. I tried it from August 2011-Feb 2012, lost a great deal of weight and then became obsessive. So after that I made some changes and it's been great to step away from counting! would like to meet some other likeminded people. I still exercise 6 days a week (mostly running but also lift weights) and I eat 3 healthy meals a day (no snacks, no sweets, no seconds except on Saturday and Sunday I allow myself a few treats). This system works great for me and I've stayed about the same weight. The greatest thing is I don't beat myself up about going over calories because as long as I"m staying healthy and not feeling like I overate and still fitting in my clothes then everything is good! I know this website's main feature is calorie counting but I think there is also the chance for useful support in other ways.
    My 2014 resolution is to stop counting calories, or to at least try it for a good chunk of time, and see how it works for me. I am very obsessive about it, and it messes with my mind. I have been meticulously counting calories for 15 year, nonstop, and I think it has become an issue for me, because I eat according to my calories, and not my hunger and satisfaction level. Basically, it has taken all the intuition out of my eating. I think that for "normal" eaters, counting calories is a totally worthwhile venture, and it obviously helps lots of people lose weight, but in my situation, it is not an appropriate weight loss tool. I plan to continue my healthy eating plan, and I am sure I will loosely count the calories in my head, but I don't plan to obsess over it, or track my macros/cals on the site. I am sticking around, to keep my head in the game, but for the moment, cal counting isn't for me. Taking it one day at a time, though. good luck!

    Same! its been really messing with my head. It gets so fustrating. I am just making concious effort to think about what/how much I am eating etc.
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    I do iifym, which doesn't focus on calories, but meeting specific macronutrient targets.
    I do this for my sport, to know that I'm eating the right macros to meet my goals.

    When not doing this, I don't count. I find it tedious, stressful and unhealthy. I can manage my intake well enough to maintain without it...

    IIFYM: If you hit your macros then you hit your calorie goal. Impossible to hit macros and be over calories.
  • HPLW0705
    HPLW0705 Posts: 102
    I have quit counting. I have been eating relatively clean for a little while now and I'm doing pretty well with making progress. I do look up my cheat meals though...then I try and exercise as much of it as I can off...I can't help myself!
  • kluvit
    kluvit Posts: 435 Member
    I'm in maintenance and am not counting calories right now. I've been able to stay within my 3lb maintenance window without having to, but I have other checks and balances in place that are working well (like daily weigh ins etc). If things change I will adjust :)

    ^ THIS!

    I only log to get back on track if I hit my +/- 3 lb allowance, or as a reality check to ensure I know what I'm taking in if I start eating a lot of new foods or at new places, or start developing a new "bad" habit that requires me to focus or adjust elsewhere to make up for it.

    For the New Year, I want to re-focus on my workouts as I've not been consistent for the last couple of months, so I will start logging my exercise for awhile even if I don't log food.
  • kluvit
    kluvit Posts: 435 Member
    Have to tell you, I feel exactly the same! I would love to add some friends who are committed to being healthy but don't want to count calories. I tried it from August 2011-Feb 2012, lost a great deal of weight and then became obsessive. So after that I made some changes and it's been great to step away from counting! would like to meet some other likeminded people. I still exercise 6 days a week (mostly running but also lift weights) and I eat 3 healthy meals a day (no snacks, no sweets, no seconds except on Saturday and Sunday I allow myself a few treats). This system works great for me and I've stayed about the same weight. The greatest thing is I don't beat myself up about going over calories because as long as I"m staying healthy and not feeling like I overate and still fitting in my clothes then everything is good! I know this website's main feature is calorie counting but I think there is also the chance for useful support in other ways.
    My 2014 resolution is to stop counting calories, or to at least try it for a good chunk of time, and see how it works for me. I am very obsessive about it, and it messes with my mind. I have been meticulously counting calories for 15 year, nonstop, and I think it has become an issue for me, because I eat according to my calories, and not my hunger and satisfaction level. Basically, it has taken all the intuition out of my eating. I think that for "normal" eaters, counting calories is a totally worthwhile venture, and it obviously helps lots of people lose weight, but in my situation, it is not an appropriate weight loss tool. I plan to continue my healthy eating plan, and I am sure I will loosely count the calories in my head, but I don't plan to obsess over it, or track my macros/cals on the site. I am sticking around, to keep my head in the game, but for the moment, cal counting isn't for me. Taking it one day at a time, though. good luck!

    Same! its been really messing with my head. It gets so fustrating. I am just making concious effort to think about what/how much I am eating etc.

    Count me in on this! I've been in maintenance for about 1.5 years, and quit counting when I found myself eating just because I had calories left over. Now, I only count when I know I'm starting to get off track and want to focus for a short period of time to re-train myself or reinforce good habits. Once I've met my short-term goal, I stop logging and continue with what I know works.

    I started logging exercise today to get my focus back on regular workouts, but I'm debating whether or not, I'll also log food.
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    I do iifym, which doesn't focus on calories, but meeting specific macronutrient targets.
    I do this for my sport, to know that I'm eating the right macros to meet my goals.

    When not doing this, I don't count. I find it tedious, stressful and unhealthy. I can manage my intake well enough to maintain without it...


    Correct me if i'm wrong... but... dont macros all have calories?

    Carbs per gram= 4 cals
    Protein per gram= 4 cals
    Fat per gram= 9 cals


    So, aren't you technically still hitting a set daily calorie goal?
  • Harrisonsauntie
    Harrisonsauntie Posts: 119
    I do iifym, which doesn't focus on calories, but meeting specific macronutrient targets.
    I do this for my sport, to know that I'm eating the right macros to meet my goals.

    When not doing this, I don't count. I find it tedious, stressful and unhealthy. I can manage my intake well enough to maintain without it...


    Correct me if i'm wrong... but... dont macros all have calories?

    Carbs per gram= 4 cals
    Protein per gram= 4 cals
    Fat per gram= 9 cals


    So, aren't you technically still hitting a set daily calorie goal?

    Yes. Her point is that she doesn't focus on just calories but on specific amounts of each macro so she reaches a more balanced diet.
  • eat_run_play
    eat_run_play Posts: 30 Member
    So pleased to meet others in maintenance who have given up tracking. Thanks for the friend requests.
    Have to tell you, I feel exactly the same! I would love to add some friends who are committed to being healthy but don't want to count calories. I tried it from August 2011-Feb 2012, lost a great deal of weight and then became obsessive. So after that I made some changes and it's been great to step away from counting! would like to meet some other likeminded people. I still exercise 6 days a week (mostly running but also lift weights) and I eat 3 healthy meals a day (no snacks, no sweets, no seconds except on Saturday and Sunday I allow myself a few treats). This system works great for me and I've stayed about the same weight. The greatest thing is I don't beat myself up about going over calories because as long as I"m staying healthy and not feeling like I overate and still fitting in my clothes then everything is good! I know this website's main feature is calorie counting but I think there is also the chance for useful support in other ways.
    My 2014 resolution is to stop counting calories, or to at least try it for a good chunk of time, and see how it works for me. I am very obsessive about it, and it messes with my mind. I have been meticulously counting calories for 15 year, nonstop, and I think it has become an issue for me, because I eat according to my calories, and not my hunger and satisfaction level. Basically, it has taken all the intuition out of my eating. I think that for "normal" eaters, counting calories is a totally worthwhile venture, and it obviously helps lots of people lose weight, but in my situation, it is not an appropriate weight loss tool. I plan to continue my healthy eating plan, and I am sure I will loosely count the calories in my head, but I don't plan to obsess over it, or track my macros/cals on the site. I am sticking around, to keep my head in the game, but for the moment, cal counting isn't for me. Taking it one day at a time, though. good luck!

    Same! its been really messing with my head. It gets so fustrating. I am just making concious effort to think about what/how much I am eating etc.

    Count me in on this! I've been in maintenance for about 1.5 years, and quit counting when I found myself eating just because I had calories left over. Now, I only count when I know I'm starting to get off track and want to focus for a short period of time to re-train myself or reinforce good habits. Once I've met my short-term goal, I stop logging and continue with what I know works.

    I started logging exercise today to get my focus back on regular workouts, but I'm debating whether or not, I'll also log food.
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    I do iifym, which doesn't focus on calories, but meeting specific macronutrient targets.
    I do this for my sport, to know that I'm eating the right macros to meet my goals.

    When not doing this, I don't count. I find it tedious, stressful and unhealthy. I can manage my intake well enough to maintain without it...


    Correct me if i'm wrong... but... dont macros all have calories?

    Carbs per gram= 4 cals
    Protein per gram= 4 cals
    Fat per gram= 9 cals


    So, aren't you technically still hitting a set daily calorie goal?

    Yes. Her point is that she doesn't focus on just calories but on specific amounts of each macro so she reaches a more balanced diet.

    We should all take into consideration what our macros are anyway. Counting macros is the same thing as counting calories.
  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,751 Member
    I do iifym, which doesn't focus on calories, but meeting specific macronutrient targets.
    I do this for my sport, to know that I'm eating the right macros to meet my goals.

    When not doing this, I don't count. I find it tedious, stressful and unhealthy. I can manage my intake well enough to maintain without it...


    Correct me if i'm wrong... but... dont macros all have calories?

    Carbs per gram= 4 cals
    Protein per gram= 4 cals
    Fat per gram= 9 cals


    So, aren't you technically still hitting a set daily calorie goal?

    Yes. Her point is that she doesn't focus on just calories but on specific amounts of each macro so she reaches a more balanced diet.

    We should all take into consideration what our macros are anyway. Counting macros is the same thing as counting calories.

    Many people round here seem to eat whatever as long as it meets a caloric goal without much consideration in to the macro breakdown. I couldn't tell you how many calories I eat, it varies slightly and I don't have a calorie goal. I can tell you that today I get 190g protein, 90g fat and 190g carbs though.

    OP, when I'm in comp prep mode to lose fat, I definitely log. I need to have an accurate plan to follow to help get results.!
  • michael1976_ca
    michael1976_ca Posts: 3,488 Member
    i don't count cals i also don't track my food. its to depressing for me any way. i tried it once that was enough for me. i seem to do good on my own any way. i just change up what i eat and drink
  • hilarymcm
    hilarymcm Posts: 55 Member
    I don't count calories. I use the food tracker, but the stats I'm looking for are proper amounts of protein, vitamins and minerals. On days when these nutrients are high, my calories tend to be lower, simply because nutrient-dense foods tend to be lower in calories.
  • EvaStrange
    EvaStrange Posts: 59 Member
    I don't need to count calories as long as I eat clean. When I eat a clean plant-based diet, I maintain my weight effortlessly; when I reduce my portion sizes by half, I lose weight. Easy as that.

    But right now I'm not able to give up sweets and chocolate. These are hard times for an emotional eater with a huge sweet tooth… Therefore I resorted to counting calories, because it allows me to incorporate controlled little junk food feasts into my daily routine and maintain an idea of how much other food I can eat and still lose weight… I know that this is not the healthiest of behaviors, but right now it's the only options. Times will change. Perhaps. I hope they do. Meh.

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