MyFitnessPal for life?
missylectro
Posts: 448 Member
I've recently come to the conclusion that unless I count calories I gain weight. I find this really sad. If I want to keep the body I get, will I have to count calories forever? Has anyone else come to this conclusion? Are any of you content with doing this for life?
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Replies
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I've considered this as well. When I get 'lazy' with tracking I get lazy in a big way. I don't find it sad though. With the phone app, its not a big deal...0
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I've kind of realized that's true for me as well. But, I've been doing it for over 3 years so far and it's such a normal part of my day. The times I choose not to log, I really overeat.0
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As we say, it's a lifestyle change. I'm here for over 3 years.0
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Trust me, all skinny people do this for life - they've just learned to do it in their heads.
I have actually seen the skinny people in my life doing this over the past 2 years. They are counting, in their brains, every time they pick up a piece of birthday cake at work, or a mini-snickers in the candy bowl - and they calculate whether or not they can "afford" it.
The skinny people I have worked with in the past have also been nowhere to be found when birthday cake day happens. They'll pop in to sing happy birthday, and then they'll mysteriously vanish.
I'm not saying everyone has to be on MFP physically typing down their calories for the rest of their lives, but of the adults I know with low BMIs (and have had this their whole lives without weight issues) they absolutely count every single calorie that goes into their mouth. They read every label of everything they eat.
That's just what I've observed...0 -
Probably--yes, but it's even sadder to gain the weight back (and many do according to the posts). Look at it as something you do everyday, like brushing your teeth, combing your hair, doing laundry, etc etc. It doesn't bother me a bit because with MFP it's easy. Best.
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Nope, not for me.
Logging consistently should be helping you get an approximate idea of how much food you should be eating per day.
When you're not counting calories and are gaining, are you still making good choices?
Because not counting calories =/= eat anything and everything in large quantities.0 -
To manage your weight, you will always have to be mindful of your caloric intake. It's just a fact. That may not mean MFP for life. After a while, you may find that you have made it your way of life, so it becomes second nature to you without tracking on MFP.
Remember, if it were easy, everyone would be at their ideal weight. It's hard to be overweight, it's hard to lose weight, it's hard to maintain your weight. Choose your hard.0 -
Totally do not agree with this.Trust me, all skinny people do this for life - they've just learned to do it in their heads.
I have actually seen the skinny people in my life doing this over the past 2 years. They are counting, in their brains, every time they pick up a piece of birthday cake at work, or a mini-snickers in the candy bowl - and they calculate whether or not they can "afford" it.
The skinny people I have worked with in the past have also been nowhere to be found when birthday cake day happens. They'll pop in to sing happy birthday, and then they'll mysteriously vanish.
I'm not saying everyone has to be on MFP physically typing down their calories for the rest of their lives, but of the adults I know with low BMIs (and have had this their whole lives without weight issues) they absolutely count every single calorie that goes into their mouth. They read every label of everything they eat.
That's just what I've observed...
Intuitive eating is huge. Once you have a handle on how your body maintains and loses weight, knowing what you can/can't eat can be done without physically tracking, but keeping a mental idea of what you've eaten and what your body needs can be done.
ETA: spelling.0 -
Trust me, all skinny people do this for life - they've just learned to do it in their heads.
I have actually seen the skinny people in my life doing this over the past 2 years. They are counting, in their brains, every time they pick up a piece of birthday cake at work, or a mini-snickers in the candy bowl - and they calculate whether or not they can "afford" it.
The skinny people I have worked with in the past have also been nowhere to be found when birthday cake day happens. They'll pop in to sing happy birthday, and then they'll mysteriously vanish.
I'm not saying everyone has to be on MFP physically typing down their calories for the rest of their lives, but of the adults I know with low BMIs (and have had this their whole lives without weight issues) they absolutely count every single calorie that goes into their mouth. They read every label of everything they eat.
That's just what I've observed...
I had no idea that every single skinny person denies themselves cake. Good to know.
OP, you can still eat cake and not be fat.0 -
Nope, not for me.
Logging consistently should be helping you get an approximate idea of how much food you should be eating per day.
When you're not counting calories and are gaining, are you still making good choices?
Because not counting calories =/= eat anything and everything in large quantities.
But if I don't log it I don't have to think about it before I eat it. That's the whole joy of not logging.....0 -
Trust me, all skinny people do this for life - they've just learned to do it in their heads.
I have actually seen the skinny people in my life doing this over the past 2 years. They are counting, in their brains, every time they pick up a piece of birthday cake at work, or a mini-snickers in the candy bowl - and they calculate whether or not they can "afford" it.
The skinny people I have worked with in the past have also been nowhere to be found when birthday cake day happens. They'll pop in to sing happy birthday, and then they'll mysteriously vanish.
I'm not saying everyone has to be on MFP physically typing down their calories for the rest of their lives, but of the adults I know with low BMIs (and have had this their whole lives without weight issues) they absolutely count every single calorie that goes into their mouth. They read every label of everything they eat.
That's just what I've observed...
Why would anyone want to be skinny?0 -
I've recently come to the conclusion that unless I count calories I gain weight. I find this really sad. If I want to keep the body I get, will I have to count calories forever? Has anyone else come to this conclusion? Are any of you content with doing this for life?
I am perfectly content with the idea that this will be done forever. Logging takes 10 minutes or less out of my day, especially when I pre-log for the week to get a general idea.
I have issues with food and I know that I'll always have them. But I can manage them effectively using this tool.
“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Don’t complain.” ~Maya Angelou0 -
Yes, I've come to that same conclusion. This documentary explained why:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2i_cmltmQ6A
I recently fell of the wagon and now it's real clear to me that I can't maintain without a support system and a method of accountability like logging.
I'm ok with it. I prefer that to gaining and getting out of shape again.0 -
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HAHAHAHA!!!!!!!
Dammit, now I have that song stuck in my head!
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HAHAHAHA!!!!!!!
Dammit, now I have that song stuck in my head!
:flowerforyou:0 -
For me, logging is accountability in action. If I have to log for the rest of my life to keep the weight off, I will do so.0
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I already waste a large amount of time in my day on stupid things like watching tv or staring at a computer screen so I might as well spend 5 minutes on logging what I eat. It's less of a hassle than being fat and miserable. I have a feeling that if I stopped logging for more than a few days, I would fall into my old habits of overeating and choosing bad foods. MFP helps me be mindful of what I eat.
Edited to add I don't think it's a sad thing. I brush my teeth and shower daily and that doesn't make me sad. I could choose not to,but I don't think I would be happier
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Totally do not agree with this.Trust me, all skinny people do this for life - they've just learned to do it in their heads.
I have actually seen the skinny people in my life doing this over the past 2 years. They are counting, in their brains, every time they pick up a piece of birthday cake at work, or a mini-snickers in the candy bowl - and they calculate whether or not they can "afford" it.
The skinny people I have worked with in the past have also been nowhere to be found when birthday cake day happens. They'll pop in to sing happy birthday, and then they'll mysteriously vanish.
I'm not saying everyone has to be on MFP physically typing down their calories for the rest of their lives, but of the adults I know with low BMIs (and have had this their whole lives without weight issues) they absolutely count every single calorie that goes into their mouth. They read every label of everything they eat.
That's just what I've observed...
Intuitive eating is huge. Once you have a handle on how your body maintains and loses weight, knowing what you can/can't eat can be done without physically tracking, but keeping a mental idea of what you've eaten and what your body needs can be done.
ETA: spelling.
Then I think what you meant to say is "totally agree with this" because if you actually read what I wrote, that's exactly what I said....0 -
Trust me, all skinny people do this for life - they've just learned to do it in their heads.
I have actually seen the skinny people in my life doing this over the past 2 years. They are counting, in their brains, every time they pick up a piece of birthday cake at work, or a mini-snickers in the candy bowl - and they calculate whether or not they can "afford" it.
The skinny people I have worked with in the past have also been nowhere to be found when birthday cake day happens. They'll pop in to sing happy birthday, and then they'll mysteriously vanish.
I'm not saying everyone has to be on MFP physically typing down their calories for the rest of their lives, but of the adults I know with low BMIs (and have had this their whole lives without weight issues) they absolutely count every single calorie that goes into their mouth. They read every label of everything they eat.
That's just what I've observed...
I had no idea that every single skinny person denies themselves cake. Good to know.
OP, you can still eat cake and not be fat.
Didn't say that. I simply explained my own personal observations, which can't be refuted, unless you see everything I see... that's pretty amazing of you! :laugh:0 -
Totally do not agree with this.Trust me, all skinny people do this for life - they've just learned to do it in their heads.
I have actually seen the skinny people in my life doing this over the past 2 years. They are counting, in their brains, every time they pick up a piece of birthday cake at work, or a mini-snickers in the candy bowl - and they calculate whether or not they can "afford" it.
The skinny people I have worked with in the past have also been nowhere to be found when birthday cake day happens. They'll pop in to sing happy birthday, and then they'll mysteriously vanish.
I'm not saying everyone has to be on MFP physically typing down their calories for the rest of their lives, but of the adults I know with low BMIs (and have had this their whole lives without weight issues) they absolutely count every single calorie that goes into their mouth. They read every label of everything they eat.
That's just what I've observed...
Intuitive eating is huge. Once you have a handle on how your body maintains and loses weight, knowing what you can/can't eat can be done without physically tracking, but keeping a mental idea of what you've eaten and what your body needs can be done.
ETA: spelling.
Then I think what you meant to say is "totally agree with this" because if you actually read what I wrote, that's exactly what I said....
See the bolded. That's not what you said at all.0 -
Totally do not agree with this.Trust me, all skinny people do this for life - they've just learned to do it in their heads.
I have actually seen the skinny people in my life doing this over the past 2 years. They are counting, in their brains, every time they pick up a piece of birthday cake at work, or a mini-snickers in the candy bowl - and they calculate whether or not they can "afford" it.
The skinny people I have worked with in the past have also been nowhere to be found when birthday cake day happens. They'll pop in to sing happy birthday, and then they'll mysteriously vanish.
I'm not saying everyone has to be on MFP physically typing down their calories for the rest of their lives, but of the adults I know with low BMIs (and have had this their whole lives without weight issues) they absolutely count every single calorie that goes into their mouth. They read every label of everything they eat.
That's just what I've observed...
Intuitive eating is huge. Once you have a handle on how your body maintains and loses weight, knowing what you can/can't eat can be done without physically tracking, but keeping a mental idea of what you've eaten and what your body needs can be done.
ETA: spelling.
Then I think what you meant to say is "totally agree with this" because if you actually read what I wrote, that's exactly what I said....
See the bolded. That's not what you said at all.
Yes, it is 100% what I said. I think you're misreading my post. I said that the skinny people I've observed track everything that goes into their mouth *mentally* I also specifically said that these skinny people DO NOT track calories physically (like on MFP) So, just to clear this up, the first post is in complete agreement with the second post
Glad I could clear that up :happy:0 -
I've recently come to the conclusion that unless I count calories I gain weight. I find this really sad. If I want to keep the body I get, will I have to count calories forever? Has anyone else come to this conclusion? Are any of you content with doing this for life?
Well...not really...at least I hope that I can eventually just know how much that I can eat and when to stop for the day.
I have 25-35 more pounds to lose. I lost the first 65 by counting those calories. I still count but I am trying to move in the direction of basing my food intake by how active that I am. I set up a range of calories...one level for when I am sedentary...one for when I am lightly active and another for when I am moderately active.
I don't know if it is going to work but while I am still logging and tracking I felt it was safe to experiment a little. I don't mind logging food but I also don't want to spend the rest of my life worrying about if something has 80 calories or if it has 100.0 -
I have been maintaining for six months without logging. For me, I spent a full year being very meticulous about logging my food and changing bad habits. I think that if I can do it, anyone can. You just have to practice, practice, practice, until you get it right. Then, you still have to jump on the scale to be sure you are aren't gaining. I weigh in about every three weeks or so.0
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Nope, not for me.
Logging consistently should be helping you get an approximate idea of how much food you should be eating per day.
When you're not counting calories and are gaining, are you still making good choices?
Because not counting calories =/= eat anything and everything in large quantities.
But if I don't log it I don't have to think about it before I eat it. That's the whole joy of not logging.....
If you don't think about it, then you will likely regain the weight. That's the point you're missing. You have to think about food differently than you did as you were getting fat, or you will not be able to maintain.0 -
Yes, I think of it like brushing my teeth 2x a day. I've got to do that for life, but in return, if I take care of my teeth (brushing, flossing, seeing the dentist), I get to keep my teeth.
It is the same way with keeping a daily food diary.
I also buy one of those very cheap yearly calendars which has a page for each month. Every a.m., I note my weight..that way I can see if I'm creeping upwards and need to readjust. It is much easier for me to cut back when I have 3 lbs to lose than 7.
I've also found that when I'm preoccupied or stressed, that I can very easily totally and honestly forget how much I've eaten. MFP or a hard copy food diary keeps me honest.
The statistic is that under 10% of the people who lose weight keep it off, so if 10 minutes a day logging is what makes it possible for me to be one of that 10%, I'm good.0 -
Many people stop logging and thus stop thinking about what they are consuming. The only difference between losing weight and maintaining weight is a few hundred calories...you still have to make good nutritional decisions and you still have to be aware of what you're putting into your mouth and aware of portions and serving sizes and you still have to rock your fitness....nutrition and fitness have to play a prominent roll in your life.
I've been maintaining without logging for a year now. Just because you don't log doesn't mean that you don't have to be cognizant of what is going into your pie hole. Just blindly eating and reverting back to ****ty *kitten* dietary habits and dropping your fitness routine is going to lead to weight gain...I mean that's pretty much a no brainer.
IMHO, MFP and logging is just training wheels...at some point you have to learn to balance on your own.0 -
For the first time in my entire life (and I will be 58 years old this year), I am at a "normal" weight... I don't really know what that actual number is since I am not weighing on the scale at the moment... but I am wearing a size 6...the last time I wore a size 6 was when I was 4 years old and it was actually a size 6X. I weighed 65 pounds when I started first grade. I weighed 99 pounds in 4th grade, and the number kept going up, up, up. At my highest, I weighed 272 pounds and wore a size 26 (4XL in tops).... I am pretty sure that I've literally lost 1/2 of myself...
I have been tracking my food since July 1, 2013 and have been walking a minimum of 5 miles a day...usually closer to 10 miles...averageing 15k steps each and every day. I wear a Fitbit and feel like I am half-naked if I forget to put it on.
I WILL be doing this the rest of my life...and I am not complaining one bit. To log what I eat every day....to walk my walk every day.... it is a small price to pay to finally be healthy. I KNOW myself well enough to know that if I stop tracking, if I stop walking... I WILL gain weight back... I've been down this path way too many times/ getting justthisclose and then giving up... well not this time...
I am as enthusiastic today to log and walk as I was back in January, September, August... and on July 1. I know that I am in control of what goes in my mouth and how I choose to maintain my weightloss.... and think about it, people... that's what people who are fit and healthy do every single day.
Why would anyone want to stop doing something that works?0 -
For the first time in my entire life (and I will be 58 years old this year), I am at a "normal" weight... I don't really know what that actual number is since I am not weighing on the scale at the moment... but I am wearing a size 6...the last time I wore a size 6 was when I was 4 years old and it was actually a size 6X. I weighed 65 pounds when I started first grade. I weighed 99 pounds in 4th grade, and the number kept going up, up, up. At my highest, I weighed 272 pounds and wore a size 26 (4XL in tops).... I am pretty sure that I've literally lost 1/2 of myself...
I have been tracking my food since July 1, 2013 and have been walking a minimum of 5 miles a day...usually closer to 10 miles...averageing 15k steps each and every day. I wear a Fitbit and feel like I am half-naked if I forget to put it on.
I WILL be doing this the rest of my life...and I am not complaining one bit. To log what I eat every day....to walk my walk every day.... it is a small price to pay to finally be healthy. I KNOW myself well enough to know that if I stop tracking, if I stop walking... I WILL gain weight back... I've been down this path way too many times/ getting justthisclose and then giving up... well not this time...
I am as enthusiastic today to log and walk as I was back in January, September, August... and on July 1. I know that I am in control of what goes in my mouth and how I choose to maintain my weightloss.... and think about it, people... that's what people who are fit and healthy do every single day.
Why would anyone want to stop doing something that works?
Perfectly said. That's the way I feel as well.0 -
It's hard to be overweight, it's hard to lose weight, it's hard to maintain your weight. Choose your hard.
Brilliant statement!
When I 'go off' MFP, I'm less conscientious, and the scale sneaks upwards. I need the visible accountability.0
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