I hate counting calories

I dont really count anymore..BUT I look at every label and keep myself aware of how many calories and what size is a serving...that way I dont go over....when i was counting i just carried one of those super small notebooks lol

Honestly, after the first month or so it just became part of my regular routine. Although I could probably not track and be okay now - I know the general nutrition in the common foods I eat since I've been tracking awhile, I continue to track it because it forces me to be aware of everything I'm eating. It's easy to slip up and have an extra bite here, a cookie there, etc. and before I know it I'm up 10 pounds!

Try pre-planning your days - spend 30 min or so in the morning or the evening before to log everything you can, then at the end of the day (or whenever is convenient) go and adjust for anything you ate differently from your plan.

I have the fitness pal app on my Ipod and I find that helps because it's always with me...it does become a little addictive!! Good Luck!

Be sure to buy healthy foods... natural foods. Most of the items you find in the inner isles at the supermarket are filled with ingredients that are not necessary and make them unhealthy. Try to stick to the outside of the market. Fresh foods are always a plus. I am a sucker for all the favorites so I recently purchased a cook book that shows me how to cook them with healthy/better ingredients... "Now Eat This" is the book. If you crave (like me) burgers, pizza, mac & cheese, and sloppy joes this book is great and the food is amazing. Just stick to it and don't fall victim to the millions of false truths that are out there.

I've never taken weight-loss super seriously because I hate counting what I eat. I hate trying to think of what I'll eat today that will fill me, be healthful, and not blow the rest of the day.

Eating wasn't meant to be homework! But this hurry-up and please-me-now society we live in has made 'easy' eating such a deadly path to trod. It takes work in todays world to make sure you're eating what you think you are, and the right portions of it.

I look forward to the day when my head, eyes, tongue, and stomach are all conditioned to look for the healthy things first, know how much is what I need, and it isn't such a headache to get this done.

Oh--and my head to convince my body that it's good to exercise. I used to do it all the time when I was in high school. Now it hurts. And I ache. Ugh. But this one isn't society and the food industry. This one is my own lazy butt. I'll get there. I promise.

How do you make the calorie counting part of a healthy change feasible?

I tell you this...I am in your shoes right now...but I will say that I have begin writing down what I intake on a daily basis in a spiral notebook and then input the infor into this system and its become a way of living now.

Try it out and remember the decision to do the "right thing" is ALL UP TO YOU! Good Luck

I really find its all a matter of baby steps, and for me, planning. It's not too hard once you find your own 'niche'.

Last year I decided to lose weight, but didn't really lose much for the first 8 mo of the year- because I wasn't being super strict to any thing, and was just trying out things and making notes of what I liked and didn't like, and what kept me full and didn't ; exercises I enjoyed and didnt, etc. Since September, I've developed what I call a "food skeleton" which is just a list of the TYPES of food I should plan to reach for at each meal but which is subject to adjustment as my schedule needs. It's invaluable because I've found it almost effortless to make my food choices/plan my meals and so I can turn my concentration towards pushing myself in working out.

This is what puts me in my cal range, maybe you can adapt it for you:

Breakfast: Something protein filled- I like eggs with veggies, or pb on cinnamon rasin toast (with some berries if they are in season)
Mid morning snack- Veggie with Hummus or Greek Yogurt (I Chobani Honey)
Lunch: Sandwich, Veggie Wrap, Grilled Chick Salad, or soup --- any of these with Fruit (so good for getting over the afternoon sleepies)
Afternoon snack- Veggie with Hummus or Greek Yogurt (I Chobani Honey)
Dinner: 3-4 oz of meat/fish, 2 oz of grain, 1-2 veggie servings
After dinner treat: Chocolate milk or something fun but little- 1/2 godiva raspberry bar & freeze the rest


The snacks are interchangeable- The greek yogurt is really filling, so I have it early if I'm hungry but if I'm not, I keep it til the afternoon so I'm full when I get home. Also instead of the yogurt sometimes I have a Luna bar or Cliff bar.

Best of luck!

Me too!! I joined here in September I think, then didn't even log back in for a while, then I'd log good days only, and even that not consistently, but now I do it everyday and it does get easier and become part of your routine. I think it kind of just clicked when I started seeing the difference in what I THOUGHT I was doing and what I was REALLY doing to my body!!

I don't. I live. There are plenty of ways to make sure you eat less. I did count calories when I lost a ton of weight in high school. it was in a small notebook too. But i don't have the patience to keep up with calories. it makes you obsessive. just notice your hunger when you eat and you'll eat less, thus lowering calorie intkae hope i helped

I used to feel this way, and sometimes still do. But the one thing that motivates me is that--it works! On the weeks I really track and stay around or below calorie goal, I have a loss! The other weeks when I'm more loose with it--not so much. I have also started to see the freedom as I track what I eat. I can still have treats and really good food and still stay within my cals and be on point, working towards my goals. This feels great to me! This feels like living. It can be very freeing. You really do have to change your mind set about it! Sometimes it's easier than others. Good luck!!