Hate calorie counting.

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Honestly sometimes I felt that the actual act of logging food made me think about it more, and sometimes increased the totals I logged. Kind of like what happens when the act of measuring and documenting by an experimenter actually affects the outcome. I don't know what to tell you, other than in my case it passed and I started learning ways I could sustain a consistent deficit for myself.

What do you feel is frustrating about the specific act of logging? If you're still interested in trying it, we can offer tips :happy:

But IMO, losing weight IS about the numbers. Calories in vs calories out. And the only way you can be sure to get the balance right is to add the numbers up.

It can be a little annoying, but honestly, it's just become part of my routine now and I don't even think about it.

Why don't you do theses things and log the results?

Honestly sometimes I felt that the actual act of logging food made me think about it more, and sometimes increased the totals I logged. Kind of like what happens when the act of measuring and documenting by an experimenter actually affects the outcome. I don't know what to tell you, other than in my case it passed and I started learning ways I could sustain a consistent deficit for myself.

What do you feel is frustrating about the specific act of logging? If you're still interested in trying it, we can offer tips :happy:

I think its more the ability to be accurate, which in turn fustrates me. I cook alot of meals from scratch. Stir frys, salads, etc and I can,t be doing with this "150g of sugar is so many calories" etc etc. I want to get away from logging and use some other method to help me lose weight... enter I can make you thin

Do you use the recipe function? Why are you agonizing over 150g of sugar? I've recently got into baking and sugar is the one ingredient I've had to replace already. I've bought white sugar, brown sugar , confectioners sugar, honey, and I'm losing weight just fine. No foods are good or evil. Heck I think in MFP there's a way to watch certain nutrients. If certain ones are bugging you and you don't have specific health conditions, just delete them and track something else or fewer items. We see posts here with people worried about high sugar consumption due to FRUIT!! Just, No.

Indeed I keep having my imagination sparked by the idea that I can have whatever I want, eat until I'm full, etc etc. . . but that's kinda what I was doing. Or so I thought. But there was no way to convince me I was full when I had fries left.

Example: when I was still buying fries a lot, I'd throw out half the fries before I start eating (wasteful, I know). Then gradually pretty much stopped buying them all the time. If you like an item a lot, you can also make a controlled portion from scratch to limit the amount you eat

This is where I benefit from having a free-for-all calorie disposal in my husband. :glasses:

But it's true, sometimes I fret over tossing things when I'm on the go and think "I just paid $xxx for this and I know it's better if I throw half away.." Gonna start ordering off the kids menu when we go out.

Think of it as funding your weight loss. Imagine there was truly somehow a guarantee that you could spend $X,000 and lose weight all the weight you want, would you spend it?

Honestly sometimes I felt that the actual act of logging food made me think about it more, and sometimes increased the totals I logged. Kind of like what happens when the act of measuring and documenting by an experimenter actually affects the outcome. I don't know what to tell you, other than in my case it passed and I started learning ways I could sustain a consistent deficit for myself.

What do you feel is frustrating about the specific act of logging? If you're still interested in trying it, we can offer tips :happy:

I think its more the ability to be accurate, which in turn fustrates me. I cook alot of meals from scratch. Stir frys, salads, etc and I can,t be doing with this "150g of sugar is so many calories" etc etc. I want to get away from logging and use some other method to help me lose weight... enter I can make you thin

Do you use the recipe function? Why are you agonizing over 150g of sugar? I've recently got into baking and sugar is the one ingredient I've had to replace already. I've bought white sugar, brown sugar , confectioners sugar, honey, and I'm losing weight just fine. No foods are good or evil. Heck I think in MFP there's a way to watch certain nutrients. If certain ones are bugging you and you don't have specific health conditions, just delete them and track something else or fewer items. We see posts here with people worried about high sugar consumption due to FRUIT!! Just, No.

Sugar was an example. Im not fretting over one food being good or bad. Its the system I use to help me lose weight I take issue with. Its just not working for me.

Eh. Not specific enough for me. But obviously you know your situation best. Good luck.

Every one is different so maybe it will work for you - and I'm sure it does work for a lot of people.

It's a tactic I thought I was using until I realized I'd been consistently gaining over the years. I do a lot of home cooking too so I use the recipe tool on MFP quite a lot - as well as saving meals. It makes the logging process a lot less tedious.

But IMO, losing weight IS about the numbers. Calories in vs calories out. And the only way you can be sure to get the balance right is to add the numbers up.

It can be a little annoying, but honestly, it's just become part of my routine now and I don't even think about it.

Yes calories in vs calories out, correct. I can't hide from that but I am thinking maybe I can control that some other way... which doesnt result in me thinking "oh **** this"

unless you're a food psychic, you're not gonna know how much you're eating without counting calories...

...and since that is what matters, you just have to decide whether or not you're worth the time and effort to take a few extra minutes to calculate it.

If you're thinking "oh **** this" over counting calories, then you aren't ready to make the changes required to control it. When you're ready, you will.

Sorry I have to disagree with that. I am ready. 7lbs in since 15th of march.

I understand what you are saying but calorie counting isnt the only way to lose weight.

no, being in a calorie deficit is the way to lose weight.
if you're losing weight without calories, then you're obviously in a calorie deficit. You're eating less than your TDEE.

That's a good thing.

Problem is, when it slows/stops.. and you come to the forums to ask why...

People are going to ask you the normal set of questions:
1. how much are you eating
2. are you weighing measuring
3. how long have you not lost

etc.

If you aren't weighing, you don't know how much you're eating and everything from that point is guess work.

weight/count/track/measure for a minimum of 6 weeks. Do yourself THAT much of a favor so at least you know an average of what you've eaten.. and how much you've lost. If for no other reason than to have the best data available.

...my point is that if you're approaching calorie counting from the "**** it mindset" then are we all wasting our time trying to tell you the benefits of it?

I mean, it hasn't obviously worked for me or anything.

I hate calorie counting. It fustrates me and becomes about the numbers and not about eating well. I end up in a cycle of doing well logging then thinking sodd it and just eating whatever I want.

I have read Paul Mckenna's book "I can make you thin" - I know I know.. but I think I am ready to give it a try. His idea is that you practice these 4 habits;

1. When you are hungry, eat.
2. Eat what you want (not what you think you "should".)
3. Eat consciously and enjoy every mouthful.
4. When you are full stop.

Obviously nutrition comes into play but I generally like to eat heathy foods anyway.

I am going to give this a try for a good few weeks and see how I get on.

calorie counting isn't for everyone - but people who stick with mfp do it because counting works for them

calorie counting is simple conceptually (eat fewer calories than you use) but very difficult to do well

good luck with your journey wherever ti takes you