Losing steam while calorie counting

hellosay
hellosay Posts: 76 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi,
I have been logging on this site for 20+ days now. Unfortunately, I am losing steam and plain bored of thinking of what goes in my mouth. My eating out is at minimum and even if I do eat out, I am calorie-conscious.
Not that this is a bad thing, but I am missing the good old days where I ate whatever I wanted when hungry and went out and had fun without thinking of calories. I know, I know, that's the reason I got fat in the first place, but I am getting bored of this lifestyle change.
How did you all cope with it? Do the ones who are consciously counting have urges to pig out? If so, how do you deal with them? Is it ok to have a day off from calorie counting? Do you hate yourself the next day or will that cause a person to fall off the wagon?
Sorry, too many questions!
:)
Thankfully, I still go to gym 6 days a week and actually look forward to it. That's a lifestyle change I will gladly follow.
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Replies

  • mummma
    mummma Posts: 402 Member
    i have the urge all the time! but i keep reminding myself that i dont want to keep starting over. going round in circles all the time! i wanna get to my goal and pigging out isnt gunna get me there. i do eat 'bad' stuff but i make sure i log it and if i want to indulge then ill spend an extra 20 minutes on the treadmill. it does get a little boring but it works. keep it up x
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    The only time I didn't log in my one year here was when I was in the DR for a week and didn't have internet access.

    I didn't lose steam because I wanted the weight gone.

    I wont lose steam because I don't want to gain it back.

    There is only one way to ensure those two things happen for me...logging accurately and consistently.

    My profile says "you either want it or you don't"...

    No I don't have the urge to pig out...if I eat too much I am uncomfortable...I don't like feeling uncomfortable. Besides I eat what I want in reasonable portions when I want it so I don't get those urges...
  • cincysweetheart
    cincysweetheart Posts: 892 Member
    One of the major benefits of calorie counting is that it helps you be aware of proper portion sizes and to be aware of what you are putting in your mouth. And it teaches you about how much you can eat in a sitting and in a day. If you think you have a grasp on proper portion sizes and you know about how much you can eat… and you can also control any "grazing," then try it. Maybe just for a week. Then weigh yourself and find out how you've done. If it works for you… then great. But you must keep disciplined on it…. because it does't take much before you have "gradually" slid back into old habits. Calorie counting helps with that discipline. If you can do it without it…. then do it. But stay on top of it. Keep track of your weight. If you find yourself not losing… or gaining, then you can always go back to calorie counting. Find a way to make it livable for you. This has got to be lifestyle change, so you find the program and make those changes that you can live with for the rest of your life.
  • elliej
    elliej Posts: 466 Member
    Sorry to be harsh but losing weight is like 80% will power and decision making. No one is making you lose weight, just like no one will stop you putting it on. If you want to keep eating unhealthily and at a calorie surplus and keep putting on weight then you will. If you want to change then you will.

    That said, there is a chance your cals are set too low. If you're hungry and miserable try upping your cals by 50-100 per day. It may help keep you on track and will only slow your progress very slightly.

    Make sure you eat foods you like with foods that 'bore' you; just fit those foods you want into your calories for the day, make sure you hit your macros, and continue your gym going/healthy lifestyle.
  • evileen99
    evileen99 Posts: 1,564 Member
    Have you made your goal so aggressive (and thus limited your daily calories) that there is no room for treats? You can eat anything you want and still lose weight--moderation--and not feeling deprived helps you stay on track.

    I had potato chips and oreos yesterday and without going over my goal.
  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
    What's your calorie goal?

    I find if my goal is too low, I start to lose focus. You begin to feel deprived, etc. Also, I eat all the foods. Fast food, restaurant food, home cooked, whatever. As long as it fits in my calorie goal (and some days not, there's nothing wrong with going over every once in a while), I'll eat it. I 100% agree with eating the foods you like/love. If you want some chocolate cake, eat it. Yes, nutritionally, it might not do much for you, but it'll do wonders for you mentally. Don't cut things out, just work them in.
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  • KNarrainen
    KNarrainen Posts: 135 Member
    Sorry to say this, but 20+ days is not really a very long time.

    Try and focus on why you are doing this, and as others have said calorie counting is about being aware of what you eat and portions, I don't think you have been doing it long enough to work it out for yourself yet.

    At the same time, the odd day here and there will not hurt you in the long run as long as you are counting on the other days.

    The longer you count properly the more successful you will be at estimating when you stop strictly counting
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    i would understand if it's been twenty MONTHS... but it's been twenty days.

    this is a long term thing. you're just getting started. it can take time to change your mindset.
  • FlaxMilk
    FlaxMilk Posts: 3,452 Member
    You ask about taking a day off from calorie counting. That never ends up well for me. If you want to eat a day without logging first, try it, but make sure you remember what you eat and then log it at the end of the day. Sometimes it's a big reminder of why we calorie count. There's a certain joy in unrestrained eating, so it makes sense that you miss it. Remind yourself when struggling that you have to pick your happy. (There will be days where the not calorie counting will win. Life isn't about making a decision for every day that will always be the same.)

    You might like a fitness tracking device. It has kept me more motivated to count my calories since I like all the feedback I get about my weight loss (or gain) and want to make sure my account has the most info available to it. There's one called a Shine out that looks pretty cool, and brands like Fitbit or Polar have been around for awhile.
  • mkflores7035
    mkflores7035 Posts: 17
    I was too strict on myself for months.....counting calories, fat. staying away from any junk food. I would even throw away food at work, that co-workers brought, if it was left out. i lost weight, but when i fell off the wagon i fell hard, and now i'm having to work harder. I would say don't deprive yourself, just limit yourself. but each of us have different weakness, and strengths. we can help each other.
  • beckmoir
    beckmoir Posts: 11 Member
    i'm probably going to get a lot of negative feedback for this, but i don't count calories anymore. i was in the same boat as you. it's boring and repetitive. you should definitely do it for a while. it does help, i'm not saying it doesn't,but do it long enough that you learn more about portion sizes, and so you're more aware of what you're putting into your body. i don't count calories, but i'm always aware of what i'm eating. i still make smart decisions, i still read the label/nutritional info before i eat anything. i also take my bike out every day, i walk my dogs, i do jillian michaels videos. stay active and stay aware of what you're eating. this might not be the greatest advice, but i lost 70 pounds this way. i will probly never count calories again.
  • lissaann29078
    lissaann29078 Posts: 53 Member
    I'm not a fan of counting calories but I do like keeping a food journal. It really helps to see what your eating and how much you are really putting into your body. I don't want to write down something I shouldn't have eaten, but I do anyway. It's really important that you find what works best for you. We are all different, but also keep in mind that calories aren't the only thing you should be keeping track of(sugar/sodium/carbs/fat content). I could go on and on, but I'm going to stop right here. Good Luck to you!
  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    i would understand if it's been twenty MONTHS... but it's been twenty days.

    this is a long term thing. you're just getting started. it can take time to change your mindset.
    This
    it takes a while to form good habits. In the 15 months I've been doing this calorie counting is just a habit I don't even think about it now. I have my most common recipes already in MFP and I just do it. I'm pretty sure if I did stop for a while I would be fine but it's a thing that takes me a few minutes every day so at present I'm keeping going.

    I'm sorry if your thinking like this ater 20 days it sounds like you're looking for excuses. Take a step back think about what your doing and why you are and move on. I'm afraid there are no shortcuts

    Good Luck
  • misstweedy
    misstweedy Posts: 45 Member
    I don't know what your calorie goal is but it sounds like you are trying to make too big a change in one go. What works for me is that I have a fairly generous calorie allowance so that I am able to fit in most things (not all in the same day). Because I know that theoretically I can eat anything I want I don't feel deprived. On the other hand, calorie counting has given me a much better idea of portion size so even if I take a break from logging (for instance because I am going on holiday), I find I automatically stick to smaller portions and am quite happy with that. But it takes a while to re-calibrate your sense of what a sufficient portion size is, so I'd suggest sticking a bit longer with the calorie logging but maybe adjust your goals, both in terms of calorie count and types of food you're allwing yourself.
  • Annie_01
    Annie_01 Posts: 3,096 Member
    Hi,
    I have been logging on this site for 20+ days now. Unfortunately, I am losing steam and plain bored of thinking of what goes in my mouth. My eating out is at minimum and even if I do eat out, I am calorie-conscious.
    Not that this is a bad thing, but I am missing the good old days where I ate whatever I wanted when hungry and went out and had fun without thinking of calories. I know, I know, that's the reason I got fat in the first place, but I am getting bored of this lifestyle change.
    How did you all cope with it? Do the ones who are consciously counting have urges to pig out? If so, how do you deal with them? Is it ok to have a day off from calorie counting? Do you hate yourself the next day or will that cause a person to fall off the wagon?
    Sorry, too many questions!
    :)
    Thankfully, I still go to gym 6 days a week and actually look forward to it. That's a lifestyle change I will gladly follow.

    LOL @ "the good old days"! Are you talking about the days that we stuffed food in our mouths with wild abandon? The days that we did get up off our butts and burn a few calories? That we kept gaining weight...clothes got tighter and tighter? We felt sluggish...tired...bloated...???

    NOPE...at least I don't. I much prefer the current "good days".

    Of course I have days where it is harder than others...sometimes I give in to those days...I always however get up the next morning and...start all over again. I want this enough that it is worth whatever it takes to get there.

    Yes...occasionally I have days where I want to toss the scale in the trash...delete MFP from my computer...etc etc...I want the enough to work my way through those times.

    You ask how one copes...for me...remembering what those so called "good old days" felt like. Fat...out of shape...not doing the things that I wanted to do...not being able to fit in to my clothes...having to where clothes that I felt dumpy in...most of all...I think about what I want out of whatever amount of life that I have ahead of me.

    It is not about the "good old days"...at least for me...it is about the "good new days" that lie ahead.

    Your choice...lose or not lose...count or not count...the "good old days" or the "good new days". Pick one and then quit feeling sorry for yourself. Don't mean to be snarky but that is what you are doing. You have been at this for 20+ days...I have been at this for 10 months...many here have been at this for a few years...did you really expect us to feel sorry for you?

    Okay...hopefully that is my snarkiness for the day...but probably not...I usually shoot for twice a day at least.
  • knitapeace
    knitapeace Posts: 1,013 Member
    What motivates you? What motivates me is results, which are minimal at best after only 20 days. Give it a chance to work and see if success doesnt help push you toward greater success.
  • doctorsookie
    doctorsookie Posts: 1,084 Member
    What's your calorie goal?

    I find if my goal is too low, I start to lose focus. You begin to feel deprived, etc. Also, I eat all the foods. Fast food, restaurant food, home cooked, whatever. As long as it fits in my calorie goal (and some days not, there's nothing wrong with going over every once in a while), I'll eat it. I 100% agree with eating the foods you like/love. If you want some chocolate cake, eat it. Yes, nutritionally, it might not do much for you, but it'll do wonders for you mentally. Don't cut things out, just work them in.

    NAILED IT!!! This is one reason I love you girl. I could not have said it better. Now get out if my head. :-P
  • bepeejaye
    bepeejaye Posts: 775 Member
    I like challenges - well, not all, but those small ones that seem nearly impossible.
    To me, MFP calorie counting is like a challenge...a life-changing one of course, but I want to see how far I can go with it.

    I am on day 332 of logging, and I must say, after a while, it does become second-nature. With time too, you have an idea of how much you are eating, in terms of ounce-size and the sort ...

    I do indulge, like having wine, spirits, flatbread, pizza, or cookies and etc, but within my caloric goals. Sometimes I go over the daily allotted calories, and I am fine with that...

    I think it is all about priorities , choices (lifelong vs. short-term), and doing what feels right for you (with proven positive results). One step at a time...
  • Urumetsuki
    Urumetsuki Posts: 3
    I get discouraged quite frequently. It does take a lot of willpower to just keep up with the calorie counting, and personally, watching what I eat constantly is never what I wanted to do (but it's a must, in this case).

    If you go over your count, macros, etc. here and there, it's not a big deal. Just be careful of the frequency. I know the counting get get grating, or boring, but you can also use the MFP system to plan meals ahead of time, to fit something special in or keep stress down as you eat throughout the day. Just enter in foods before you eat them, to see what still falls in your allowed count for the day. I've resorted to this a few times.

    The temptation to just pig out is huge for me some days. It's a lot of self-control until you can train your body to eat differently. If you have a day where you really need to eat something that doesn't fit in, just spend extra time at the gym. I have bad stress, and so am tempted to eat a LOT of junk some days, so I can relate to the feeling of just wanting to say 'screw it' and eat everything in sight. Some days I do feel bad for it, but others I also remember I've followed my goals for a while, and one day isn't going to kill your entire routine.

    Billieljaime, your rant is quite uncalled for. Everyone experiences weight loss differently, and not everyone is condescending, degrading, and cold.

    Edit: I also forgot to mention: it's better if you can track your measurements at the same time. For me, I had lost 2 pounds, and could see a physical difference in my body shape; the next time I weighed myself, I'd lost inches, but had gained 7 pounds out of seemingly nowhere. Keep in mind that you will gain muscle weight.
  • DustysMomma
    DustysMomma Posts: 5 Member
    My loss has been slow, and yes, I fall off the wagon and go a day or two without counting. I allow myself that day every now and then while still maintaining control and just not having everything I want in one day. I have had a few days recently where I was really smart about my calories and was 200-300 below, and yesterday I was super aware of my lunch so that last night, my son and I went to Cheeburger Cheeburger and I had 1000 calories of cheeseburger and onion rings. I was still less than 200 calories over for the day, and yes, it was a counting day. If you don't allow yourself some of the things you feel like you're missing out on, it gets REALLY hard. Trust me, I've tried it. Back in 1995, I lost 35 pounds on a doctor monitored liquid diet, where 1 day a week I would have food when we went out to eat. In the beginning, my choices were smart, but the longer I was on it, the worse my choices on that one day a week became because I FELT deprived mentally.

    I've been on here a long time, off and on, and this time is the first time that I've gotten down a pants size in the process. What this site says I've lost, is from my day 1 weight. What it doesn't count is that 20 pounds I gained while I was was in a boot for 8 months with heel spurs. I'm down 20 pounds from when I started counting this time, and I'm down 30 from my heaviest. I have to say I'm more motivated this time than I've ever been, for multiple reasons. I also have more people I personally know who are all on this journey as well, and that keeps me motivated too. Pasta, especially mac and cheese, and steak are my weaknesses. I've learned to work them in this time instead of counting those days as completely off the wagon every time, and it's made all the difference. When I get stressed, I want chocolate. I keep individually wrapped pieces that I can easily count, and I work them into my calorie budget for the day.

    If the lifestyle changes aren't things you can live with long term, you will fail. I've learned that the hard way. It's going to take me a while to lose this weight, and I know that. I have to remember it's not the end of the world if I have a "bad" day, and allow myself to, so I don't feel bad and quit again. If it's a struggle all day every day, you'll have to change your perspective until you find what works for you.
  • vixiepie
    vixiepie Posts: 3
    Well there are a lot of disrespectful posts on here, I wonder if these people would speak like this face to face, to their mother, sister, aunt, uncle... but there are those that have been supportive too.

    Anyway, I just wanted to say hang on in there.
    It IS hard, some days I feel like I WILL lose the will, but know in the end I will be disappointed in myself and yes, tomorrow is a new day, but I don't want to start afresh tomorrow, I want to keep going.

    Don't stop yourself going out, no treats = feelings of boredom, hatred and disengagement.
    Go out, enjoy your food, but make healthier choices, or work harder at the gym, don't eat as much at other meals.
    I've lost over 4 stone in total, though only logged onto mfp for the last 10lb.
    Before I used to eat from a side plate, 4-5 meals a day, no counting just smaller portion sizes. Good luck. And feeling like this is totally normal...I think it takes 70 days or so to form a habit, so stick too it, by day 70 it will be easier :) Xx
  • Anniebotnen
    Anniebotnen Posts: 332 Member
    I don't have much to add to what others have already said, except to tell you that I never have urges to pig out. My diet consists of foods I like to eat, which are mostly fresh foods like lean proteins, fruits and veggies, and they keep me satisfied. Are you trying to eat foods you don't enjoy? If so, change your diet to include foods you actually like!

    Calorie counting works great for a lot of people, but it's not the only way to lose weight. You need to find a way that is sustainable and works for you.
  • Annie_01
    Annie_01 Posts: 3,096 Member
    Well there are a lot of disrespectful posts on here, I wonder if these people would speak like this face to face, to their mother, sister, aunt, uncle... but there are those that have been supportive too.

    Anyway, I just wanted to say hang on in there.
    It IS hard, some days I feel like I WILL lose the will, but know in the end I will be disappointed in myself and yes, tomorrow is a new day, but I don't want to start afresh tomorrow, I want to keep going.

    Don't stop yourself going out, no treats = feelings of boredom, hatred and disengagement.
    Go out, enjoy your food, but make healthier choices, or work harder at the gym, don't eat as much at other meals.
    I've lost over 4 stone in total, though only logged onto mfp for the last 10lb.
    Before I used to eat from a side plate, 4-5 meals a day, no counting just smaller portion sizes. Good luck. And feeling like this is totally normal...I think it takes 70 days or so to form a habit, so stick too it, by day 70 it will be easier :) Xx

    I am sure that you consider my previous post to the OP as one of the disrespectful posts.

    I think that when you first start...trying to lose weight...calorie counting...cutting portion sizes...it is hard...so hard in fact that you look for excuses to give up. Often what happens is a bad day here...a bad day there...and then...bad weeks.

    Patting someone on the back during that initial phases...well...I am just not sure that helps. The last thing that "I" need is someone telling me it is okay to not do what "I" know that it takes...discipline.

    After time I began to realize that I could recover from those bad days but not at first. It just wouldn't have taken much to derail me. Now after 75lbs, I know that I can get back on track the next day. I still however don't want someone patting me on the back for not staying on track.

    You know...I usually don't respond to posts such as the OP's...I don't set out to be disrespectful. For some reason...I just felt as if some brutal honesty might help. I will change my advice though...

    OP...it is hard...boring...etc etc. Don't worry about counting those calories today...give yourself a break...hopefully tomorrow you can keep track. If not tomorrow...maybe next week.
  • garnerish
    garnerish Posts: 67 Member
    I'm on around a 38 day streak right now, been counting for about 3 weeks more than that (Stopped for a week when I went on holiday and had no internet access)

    I get the urges.

    If you see my diary, you'll see there are days where I give in.

    But the important thing is not pretending like that's ruined everything. I'll fallen off the wagon, indulged for a day (Or on purpose, see my 4500+ day last Friday for my birthday) but it's about getting back on it the next day.

    At this point I don't even think about it. Just eat the food, log it, move on.
  • hellosay
    hellosay Posts: 76 Member
    Hmm, wow, thanks for all your replies, I really didn't expect too much. Thanks for the support and the tough love too. And thanks to the user who reminded me of the "good old days". Maybe if i scroll through my fat pics, I won't mind calorie counting so much. ;)

    To answer some questions, my goal is set to standard 1200 cals and it is working for me so far as I am losing gradually. I haven't cut out all my fave foods and learnt to balance a heavy meal with a lighter one to stay within the goal.

    I think this outburst maybe more emotional than anything else. I am feeling under the weather and my kid is sick, so I don't want the added hassle of counting calories. I guess most of you have figured out by now that I am an emotional eater. :)

    Anyways, I guess I will have to keep going. Really, 20 days is not a lot. Feeling inspired by all of you who have been doing it for so long.

    Thanks all for the support and reminding me why I am doing this,
    Sayali.
  • Branstin
    Branstin Posts: 2,320 Member
    Why do you feel the need to eat 1200 calories?
  • adopp062715
    adopp062715 Posts: 93 Member
    There are some days that I feel like I just want to be done. Especially last week when the scale wasn't moving (yes, I'm one of those people who weigh daily and record it in a different app. I like to see the trend) but it finally moved. This week it's moving like crazy but I have been feeling better than the last. Last week I wanted to stop and gave in a couple of times. But then I think about how I was just a month ago and remember what I'm working towards and things get straigtened out. Honestly twenty days isn't enough time to get annoyed with something. Even my 30 isn't enough so stick with it or be the same as you have been. Those are your choices.
  • evileen99
    evileen99 Posts: 1,564 Member
    To answer some questions, my goal is set to standard 1200 cals and it is working for me so far as I am losing gradually. I haven't cut out all my fave foods and learnt to balance a heavy meal with a lighter one to stay within the goal.

    And there's your demotivation. You don't have to starve yourself to lose weight. I ate 2200 calories yesterday and had a deficit
  • juliecarlson10
    juliecarlson10 Posts: 1
    Agree---I love Costco's sea salt chips and have them (not daily but I do treat myself)!! The question regarding not counting calories some days. My answer is YES. I recently had my oldest graduate, and we have been going to a lot of grad. parties. I don't count calories on that day because it's to hard to keep track; however, I do a hard cardio calorie burning exercise the day of and after plus add light weights. I also take lighter portions but treat myself to the yummy summer salads. Please Note: By doing this, I'm not losing a pound a week; however, I did maintain and lost .5 during these two weeks of grad parties. Now I have time to start counting and hitting my goal~ It's a work in progress. I want to eat and live the way I will for a lifetime not just short term. Good Luck.

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