Why I don't count calories

rubagreta · July 2014

Because I'm lazy, that's why! I admire you calorie counters. I just can't do it.

But based on changes I made in my diet and the weight I've lost that got me to my goal weight, I believe I am on a low-calorie diet.

Here are a few things that I did:

- I stopped stuffing myself (an obvious way to get started).

- No restaurants.

- No alcohol.

- Little or no refined sugar. It's a waste of calories because it does nothing to fill me up. And it 's not very healthy.

- I find that fat and protein fill me up more than carbs. So for breakfast, I have a two-egg ommelette with a little cheese, a little fruit (sometimes) and coffee. Unlike bagels, pastry and/or a big bowl of cereal, the eggs hold me over well past noon. And I no longer drink orange juice because it's unnecessary calories and loaded with sugar.

- I don't eat as much pasta for lunch or dinner because it also does not fill me up. I would rather get most of my calories from protein (red meat, chicken, seafood), which does fill me up, and have the pasta as a side dish.

- I eat lots of salad with low-calorie dressing (and as little dressing as possible).

- Calorie for calorie, nuts fill me up much more than pretzels or chips. I can eat an endless amount of pretzels and chips. Nuts (typically almonds), not so much. So nuts are my snack of the day.

So more protein and fat and less sugar and carbs work for me because I eat less, and without counting, I know I have drastically reduced my calorie intake.

But that's just me. It may not work for you.

Good luck to all!

martinel2099 · July 2014

Good for you. There are many many people who have lost weight and kept it off just by practicing proper portioning and making intelligent decisions on food choice. You can get fat off eating anything, but if you incorporate more veggies into your diet it's hard to over eat broccoli (I dare anyone to try to eat 1,000 cal of broc), it's easy to over eat a pizza or cake.

For me personally, I calorie count because there's no way that I could cut out restaurants, alcohol and refined sugars. I can have all of my favorite foods I just need to record and make smarter choices.

Good luck to you, focus on a diet that meets your needs and desires. What works for me wont' always work for you.

theJTfitness · July 2014

Thanks for sharing.

WBB55 · July 2014

But... wine

Mikkimeow · July 2014

But... wine

Same.

abetter_me · July 2014

I don't like to count calories also...it really stresses me out when i try to do so consitently...I don't want to live my life that way, so i have started making better choices and not over eat or give into emotional eating.

k8blujay2 · July 2014

Why are you here then? It's a calorie counting website... the main premise is to have a place to... count calories.

Laurenloveswaffles · July 2014

But... wine

And beer. With Reese's Oreos for dessert.

3dogsrunning · July 2014

I can totally respect you doing weight loss your way. If it works for you, great. I'd rather count calories and include those things you have eliminated but to each their own. (Seriously, but wine?)

I don't really understand the point of joining a calorie counting site though.

Lleldiranne · July 2014

Hmmm ... suspiciously similar to something yesterday (profile as well as topic). But I'm willing to give this the benefit of the doubt.

OP - I'm glad you found what works for you! It's important to aim for mostly nutritiously dense foods most of the time, which it sounds like you're doing.

I am not willing to completely cut out restaurants, pasta, baked goodies (I love baking - and eating them :laugh:), etc. That's why I count calories. I know about what I need, watch my macros, and aim for mostly nutritiously dense foods, and then indulge in what I love. (And, it's still possible to eat "healthy" or "clean" and overeat, which would lead to weight gain). So I count.

hookilau · July 2014

Not everyone on MFP counts calories :blushing:

3dogsrunning · July 2014

Hmmm ... suspiciously similar to something yesterday (profile as well as topic). But I'm willing to give this the benefit of the doubt.

OP - I'm glad you found what works for you! It's important to aim for mostly nutritiously dense foods most of the time, which it sounds like you're doing.

I am not willing to completely cut out restaurants, baked goodies (I love baking - and eating them :laugh:), etc. That's why I count calories. I know about what I need, watch my macros, and aim for mostly nutritiously dense foods, and then indulge in what I love. (And, it's still possible to eat "healthy" or "clean" and overeat, which would lead to weight gain). So I count.

Did he ever deactivate?
Last I saw OP was still hanging on.
I had the same question for him.

eric_sg61 · July 2014

Hmmm ... suspiciously similar to something yesterday (profile as well as topic). But I'm willing to give this the benefit of the doubt.

OP - I'm glad you found what works for you! It's important to aim for mostly nutritiously dense foods most of the time, which it sounds like you're doing.

I am not willing to completely cut out restaurants, baked goodies (I love baking - and eating them :laugh:), etc. That's why I count calories. I know about what I need, watch my macros, and aim for mostly nutritiously dense foods, and then indulge in what I love. (And, it's still possible to eat "healthy" or "clean" and overeat, which would lead to weight gain). So I count.

Did he ever deactivate?
Last I saw OP was still hanging on.
I had the same question for him.

Nope, the parallels are uncanny
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/user/erickessin/status

3dogsrunning · July 2014

Not everyone on MFP counts calories :blushing:

That's true. I just don't understand those who get upset that the majority of people here believe in CICO. That's not necessarily directed at this OP but I do find it strange you would join a calorie counting site and make your first post about not calorie counting.

bajoyba · July 2014

That's cool. If you've found something that works for you, and you enjoy it, stick with it.

Calorie counting isn't necessary for weight loss, but for many of us, it's a great tool that helps us reach our goals in the most efficient way. It's not for everyone - it does take some practice and a little bit of time. I enjoy being able to look at the numbers every day and see what kind of fuel and nutrition I'm giving my body, and I like learning how to meet my goals while eating all the foods I like. It's become a part of my normal daily routine, much like using the bathroom or brushing my teeth. It's just something I do.

But the only thing required for weight loss is a calorie deficit, and there are many ways to achieve that. If your plan allows you to reach your goals successfully, good for you.

mom2_4gr8kids · July 2014

Hmmm ... suspiciously similar to something yesterday (profile as well as topic). But I'm willing to give this the benefit of the doubt.

OP - I'm glad you found what works for you! It's important to aim for mostly nutritiously dense foods most of the time, which it sounds like you're doing.

I am not willing to completely cut out restaurants, baked goodies (I love baking - and eating them :laugh:), etc. That's why I count calories. I know about what I need, watch my macros, and aim for mostly nutritiously dense foods, and then indulge in what I love. (And, it's still possible to eat "healthy" or "clean" and overeat, which would lead to weight gain). So I count.

Did he ever deactivate?
Last I saw OP was still hanging on.
I had the same question for him.

Nope, the parallels are uncanny
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/user/erickessin/status

Two 55-year-old males with 20 lbs to lose. Interesting...

3dogsrunning · July 2014

Hmmm ... suspiciously similar to something yesterday (profile as well as topic). But I'm willing to give this the benefit of the doubt.

OP - I'm glad you found what works for you! It's important to aim for mostly nutritiously dense foods most of the time, which it sounds like you're doing.

I am not willing to completely cut out restaurants, baked goodies (I love baking - and eating them :laugh:), etc. That's why I count calories. I know about what I need, watch my macros, and aim for mostly nutritiously dense foods, and then indulge in what I love. (And, it's still possible to eat "healthy" or "clean" and overeat, which would lead to weight gain). So I count.

Did he ever deactivate?
Last I saw OP was still hanging on.
I had the same question for him.

Nope, the parallels are uncanny
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/user/erickessin/status

Two 55-year-old males with 20 lbs to lose. Interesting...

Both who follow the exact same dieting principles.

aliciamelvin · July 2014

yeahhhh I refuse to give up things I enjoy such as wine or chocolate. I think to be healthy, you should have to give things up; only portion size or find healthier alternatives to those favorites. I can't have fast food due to my IBS/lack of gallbladder. I make my comfort foods at home with healthier versions so I don't feel like I'm giving up anything. I've always lost more weight when I documented what I ate/counted calories.

richardheath · July 2014

I lost 40 lb before I found MFP by doing basically what you suggest, although I did still drink beer and eat out. I just ate and drank less, and moved more. It can work for some people.

However, just because I didn't actually do the math and count calories, doesn't mean calories don't count. You still have to be in a deficit to lose.

ksy1969 · July 2014

Hmmm ... suspiciously similar to something yesterday (profile as well as topic). But I'm willing to give this the benefit of the doubt.

OP - I'm glad you found what works for you! It's important to aim for mostly nutritiously dense foods most of the time, which it sounds like you're doing.

I am not willing to completely cut out restaurants, baked goodies (I love baking - and eating them :laugh:), etc. That's why I count calories. I know about what I need, watch my macros, and aim for mostly nutritiously dense foods, and then indulge in what I love. (And, it's still possible to eat "healthy" or "clean" and overeat, which would lead to weight gain). So I count.

Did he ever deactivate?
Last I saw OP was still hanging on.
I had the same question for him.

Nope, the parallels are uncanny
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/user/erickessin/status

Two 55-year-old males with 20 lbs to lose. Interesting...

Both who follow the exact same dieting principles.

Yep,I barely got through the sentence and realized this is the same person. Interesting that they still haven't deactivated their old account. Probably didn't because everyone said he should. I noticed their Adios post from yesterday has been removed.

Stiang · July 2014

Yesterday, I was looking forward to going home and enjoy the "Adios" thread - just to be crushed to find it was deleted. :brokenheart:

aliakynes · July 2014

Deja vu!

Annabear3 · July 2014

I'm calorie counting to learn about food as fuel. I saw that when I thought I was eating healthy I wasn't. I was consuming too much, not portioning right, or focusing in the wrong area of nutrition. I have a lifetime of bad habits to break and a long journey ahead of me (trying to lose 120 lbs). Having to document everything I eat holds me accountable. I can see on "paper" where I went wrong and what I did right. I catch myself saying "do you want to have a record of eating that when you're trying to lose weight?" It's stopped me on more than one occasion. I've splurged a couple times, but I had the math to try and counter act that splurge with other meals and exercise. So until I feel like I understand my body and food and how to eat wisely, I'm going to calorie count. Someday I'll be able to do it instinctively, but I'm not there yet.

dcristo213 · July 2014

Ever since I changed to eating high fat, moderate protein, and low carbs, I find that I am not hungry and eat less. I still track what I eat, not so much for the calories, but as a way to see what is working and not working. I do try to keep my carbs below 50 grams, so MFP helps me do that. I always say "do what works best for you", and the results will be inevitable.

leggup · July 2014

But based on changes I made in my diet and the weight I've lost that got me to my goal weight

ORLY? Because your account says you joined July 2014, so you've been here 30 days max. How do you know your plan works? how have you lost weight that has gotten to your goal weight? 4 weeks = not long enough to see results without knowing how much is water weight and how much is maintaining a lower weight.

Also, you've gotten to your goal weight? Oh? Because your profile says you've lose zero of 20 lbs.

Add that with the suspiciously similar profile other users noticed... the other user who is angry that people here do "calories in, calories out."

Every single post is "A calorie is not a calorie!" trolling: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/post/by_user/70635915

DeguelloTex · July 2014

You're eating fewer calories than you're burning, whether you count them or not. If you're willing to give up all the things you've given up and you can stay consistent, there's no reason that your approach to CICO can't work.

I_Will_End_You · July 2014

However, just because I didn't actually do the math and count calories, doesn't mean calories don't count. You still have to be in a deficit to lose.

Exactly. I don't count calories, but I believe in CICO 100%. I don't count because I'm good at staying in a deficit without it, not because it doesn't work.

Lelah77 · July 2014

Not everyone on MFP counts calories :blushing:

^^ This. Tracking my eating, regardless of calories helps me keep life in check. I lose track of what I've shoved down my gullet! I also watch my MACROS to make sure I am eating a well-balanced diet

Looking at your solution to weight loss, it looks an awful like what naturally happens is someone is monitoring their intake (via calories or macros tracking). Obviously you just don't need to keep track on paper (or computer, as it were) in order to stay on track. Most of us do, thus our delightful existence on MFP.

Good luck to you.

teenie_71 · July 2014

Why are you here then? It's a calorie counting website... the main premise is to have a place to... count calories.

NO it's not just a calorie counting website. It's called My FITNESS Pal, not my Calorie Counting Pal

jessilee119 · July 2014

That's cool. If you've found something that works for you, and you enjoy it, stick with it.

Calorie counting isn't necessary for weight loss, but for many of us, it's a great tool that helps us reach our goals in the most efficient way. It's not for everyone - it does take some practice and a little bit of time. I enjoy being able to look at the numbers every day and see what kind of fuel and nutrition I'm giving my body, and I like learning how to meet my goals while eating all the foods I like. It's become a part of my normal daily routine, much like using the bathroom or brushing my teeth. It's just something I do.

But the only thing required for weight loss is a calorie deficit, and there are many ways to achieve that. If your plan allows you to reach your goals successfully, good for you.

+1

kessler4130 · July 2014

Definitely the same poster from yesterday, but this post is not nearly as exciting as the previous incarnation of his " a calorie is not a calorie thread".

Why I don't count calories

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