calorie counting =weight loss???

2

Replies

  • NoIdea101NoIdea
    NoIdea101NoIdea Posts: 659 Member
    You can't outrun a bad diet.

    You keep using that phrase. I do not think it means what you think it means.

    Yeah, I have to admit, I'm slightly confused by this....what do you mean by 'bad diet'? In terms of CICO, it is totally possible to outrun a bad diet. Are you trying to say that if you don't eat a balanced diet and hit your macros and make sure that your body has all the nutrients it needs then no amount of exercise will compensate for that? I've seen you use this phrase many times and I'm curious.
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    tiarajj08 wrote: »
    I'm curious to know has anyone lost weight just by calorie counting???? I developed a habit of moving lol so I will just like to know if that can actually happen? Share stories!!!

    Are you asking if people can lose weight only with reducing their calories with no exercise? Of course. Eat less calories than you burn and you lose weight. The number MFP gives you should give you a calorie deficit without any exercise. If you exercise and log it then MFP will give you more calories.

    I've lost weight by logging what I eat and sticking to the calorie goal MFP gave me. I do exercise for about 30 minutes most days and eat a portion of those calories.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    tiarajj08 wrote: »
    This may sounds stupid, but what is calorie deficiency? I eat within my calorie intake which is 1300 calories a day and I don't go over. even if I exercise I do not eat those extra calories that they put back on the intake. but I don't understand what you mean when you say calories deficit???

    A calorie deficit means you are eating less calories than you burn.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    edited May 2015
    You can't outrun a bad diet.

    You keep using that phrase. I do not think it means what you think it means.

    Yeah, I have to admit, I'm slightly confused by this....what do you mean by 'bad diet'? In terms of CICO, it is totally possible to outrun a bad diet. Are you trying to say that if you don't eat a balanced diet and hit your macros and make sure that your body has all the nutrients it needs then no amount of exercise will compensate for that? I've seen you use this phrase many times and I'm curious.

    I think it's an overused term as well, but to me in means to eat in a way that benefits your weight and nutritional goals. Of course you can lose weight on what some might consider a bad diet, just as you can gain weight on what others would consider a good diet. Weight loss is 100% calories in/calorie out, nutrition is macros and the type of foods we choose to eat.

    I want to eat in a way that keeps my energy levels high enough to be able to properly fuel my body for my workouts.

    I think bad diet is in the perception. A lot of people might look at my diary and think I've got the most horrible diet in the world, but it works for me. I love my carbs, which includes something sweet each day. I run and weight lift and move a lot and my food gives me energy to do what I need/want to do. When I've eaten what others might consider a good diet, I've found myself low on energy, and then my workouts suffer, which leads to my calorie deficit or maintenance amount being sacrificed.

    Oh, and by the way, I gained most of my weight on what would be considered a good diet- little fast food, lots of vegetables and fruits, no desert type foods. :)
  • NoIdea101NoIdea
    NoIdea101NoIdea Posts: 659 Member
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    You can't outrun a bad diet.

    You keep using that phrase. I do not think it means what you think it means.

    Yeah, I have to admit, I'm slightly confused by this....what do you mean by 'bad diet'? In terms of CICO, it is totally possible to outrun a bad diet. Are you trying to say that if you don't eat a balanced diet and hit your macros and make sure that your body has all the nutrients it needs then no amount of exercise will compensate for that? I've seen you use this phrase many times and I'm curious.

    I think it's an overused term as well, but to me in means to eat in a way that benefits your weight and nutritional goals. Of course you can lose weight on what some might consider a bad diet, just as you can gain weight on what others would consider a good diet. Weight loss is 100% calories in/calorie out, nutrition is macros and the type of foods we choose to eat.

    I want to eat in a way that keeps my energy levels high enough to be able to properly fuel my body for my workouts.

    I think bad diet is in the perception. A lot of people might look at my diary and think I've got the most horrible diet in the world, but it works for me. I love my carbs, which includes something sweet each day. I run and weight lift and move a lot and my food gives me energy to do what I need/want to do. When I've eaten what others might consider a good diet, I've found myself low on energy, and then my workouts suffer, which leads to my calorie deficit or maintenance amount being sacrificed.

    That's pretty much what I thought; and yes, it was the whole 'bad diet' thing that is confusing me, as everyone follows different 'diets' and what works for one person might not work for another. A lot of people would include 'pizza' in their 'bad foods'. I wouldn't. I eat cake or chocolate every day to appease my sweet tooth, again what people technically call 'bad foods'. 'Bad diet' is far to vague of a phrase to be thrown around for my liking :p
  • forgtmenot
    forgtmenot Posts: 860 Member
    tiarajj08 wrote: »
    This may sounds stupid, but what is calorie deficiency? I eat within my calorie intake which is 1300 calories a day and I don't go over. even if I exercise I do not eat those extra calories that they put back on the intake. but I don't understand what you mean when you say calories deficit???

    The way mfp is designed you are supposed to eat at least some of your exercise calories. You are already at a deficit even if you don't do any exercise and eat all of your allotted calories by mfp, so when you exercise you are allowed to eat those calories and you will still be in a deficit. If you continuously workout and don't eat back any of your exercise calories, you're going to eventually burn out because you aren't giving your body enough fuel.
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    Goes on a website built around a calorie counting database.
    Asks if anyone is successful counting calories.

    Be Right Back... I'm going to go to www.google.com and ask if anyone has had any luck with internet search terms.
  • Ginoa
    Ginoa Posts: 7 Member
    Its calories in and calories out. Find out your maintenance calories and reduce by a couple hundred. Monitor weight loss..and if nothing is lost after 2 weeks, then drop another 100. Go to iifym.com and look at the calculators for fat loss. The website has very annoying pop ups, just a warning
  • aloranger7708
    aloranger7708 Posts: 422 Member
    Yep. I lost 30 lbs just counting calories and no exercise, and lost another 20 by adding in exercise.
  • baby_firefly_666
    baby_firefly_666 Posts: 192 Member
    Nothing other than calorie counting works for me!
  • chutik
    chutik Posts: 4 Member
    Yes it's possible. But remember calories are different. Having 180 from a snickers bar or 180 from some almonds will break down in your body differently. Try and mind your processed intake and it will help tons! Good luck
  • Sarasmaintaining
    Sarasmaintaining Posts: 1,027 Member
    edited May 2015
    tiarajj08 wrote: »
    I'm curious to know has anyone lost weight just by calorie counting???? I developed a habit of moving lol so I will just like to know if that can actually happen? Share stories!!!

    Yep-lost almost 60lbs by counting calories and eating at a calorie deficit. I've been successfully maintaining the loss for around 2 years now.
  • PeachyCarol
    PeachyCarol Posts: 8,029 Member
    edited May 2015
    Nerdycurls wrote: »
    I think it's more complicated than that.

    Weight loss can be much more complicated than we think. Everyone's physiology is different. Consider if a person has health issues, is going through stress, recovering from an injury, etc.-- counting cals is going to yield different results for them versus a person with good health. At the end of the day, you have to raise your resting metabolic rate. No amount of huffing and puffing on the treadmill combined with caloric restriction is going to guarantee weight loss, because you aren't going to continue burning the same amount of calories once you get off the treadmill. It's a slow, steady process.

    Counting calories helps me, but I have to factor in my PCOS and stress in order to gauge how successful I will be at any given time.

    I can't figure out how what you said means anything. The composition of your diet (which your PCOS would possibly dictate) has nothing to do with counting calories/eating at an energy deficit for what particular foods you eat.

    You talk about raising your RMR like it's super easy to do. Do you know how long it takes to build muscle? Even then, it's not adding overmuch to your RMR.

    As for treadmill workout afterburn? I think you're grossly overestimating its effect and duration.



  • PeachyCarol
    PeachyCarol Posts: 8,029 Member
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    You can't outrun a bad diet.

    You keep using that phrase. I do not think it means what you think it means.

    Yeah, I have to admit, I'm slightly confused by this....what do you mean by 'bad diet'? In terms of CICO, it is totally possible to outrun a bad diet. Are you trying to say that if you don't eat a balanced diet and hit your macros and make sure that your body has all the nutrients it needs then no amount of exercise will compensate for that? I've seen you use this phrase many times and I'm curious.

    I think it's an overused term as well, but to me in means to eat in a way that benefits your weight and nutritional goals. Of course you can lose weight on what some might consider a bad diet, just as you can gain weight on what others would consider a good diet. Weight loss is 100% calories in/calorie out, nutrition is macros and the type of foods we choose to eat.

    I want to eat in a way that keeps my energy levels high enough to be able to properly fuel my body for my workouts.

    I think bad diet is in the perception. A lot of people might look at my diary and think I've got the most horrible diet in the world, but it works for me. I love my carbs, which includes something sweet each day. I run and weight lift and move a lot and my food gives me energy to do what I need/want to do. When I've eaten what others might consider a good diet, I've found myself low on energy, and then my workouts suffer, which leads to my calorie deficit or maintenance amount being sacrificed.

    Oh, and by the way, I gained most of my weight on what would be considered a good diet- little fast food, lots of vegetables and fruits, no desert type foods. :)

    Yeah, the phrase "bad diet" is entirely subjective. I've had vegetarians friend me because I have what they consider to be a good diet, but if a Paleo person looked at my dairy and beans diet with a treat at the end of the day, they'd probably do some serious pearl clutching.

  • segacs
    segacs Posts: 4,599 Member
    Yeah, the phrase "bad diet" is entirely subjective. I've had vegetarians friend me because I have what they consider to be a good diet, but if a Paleo person looked at my dairy and beans diet with a treat at the end of the day, they'd probably do some serious pearl clutching.

    Are pearls paleo? :)
  • ASKyle
    ASKyle Posts: 1,475 Member
    No, counting calories does not equal weight loss. Eating at a calorie deficit equals weight loss. Counting calories is just a method by which you can tell whether you are eating less than you burn or not.

    This.
  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
    Worked for me.

    Lost 58 lbs, got pregnant (kept counting) and gained a healthy weight, and now at 15 weeks I've lost all but .8 lbs of that.

    I log everyday, maintain a calorie deficit (except when I was pregnant), get some exercise and I lose weight.
  • PeachyCarol
    PeachyCarol Posts: 8,029 Member
    segacs wrote: »
    Yeah, the phrase "bad diet" is entirely subjective. I've had vegetarians friend me because I have what they consider to be a good diet, but if a Paleo person looked at my dairy and beans diet with a treat at the end of the day, they'd probably do some serious pearl clutching.

    Are pearls paleo? :)

    I tend to think so, at least if you follow a broad definition of "shellfish". If I'm not mistaken, what are presumed to be shell beads have been found on Stone Age sites.

  • girlviernes
    girlviernes Posts: 2,402 Member
    I lost the first 35+ pounds by changing my diet. Removed added sugars and processed foods. Ate salads and lean meats - or seafood. No sweets unless it was a fruit. I was eating 3 large Haas avocados a day plus salads with lean meats. Morning was eggs and avocado. I would have to say the last 20# required being more cognizant of Calories In - but I was extremely active throughout. Never felt deprived. Feel reborn. You can't outrun a bad diet.

    Will never go back to what I did. All that I do is a program. Quantity/Quality of the Calorie plus Programmed Training - it's the only way to fly.

    Everyone loses weight when they follow a plan that creates a calorie deficit. Congratulations on your success, but by no means is it "the only way to fly."
  • Nony_Mouse
    Nony_Mouse Posts: 5,646 Member
    segacs wrote: »
    Yeah, the phrase "bad diet" is entirely subjective. I've had vegetarians friend me because I have what they consider to be a good diet, but if a Paleo person looked at my dairy and beans diet with a treat at the end of the day, they'd probably do some serious pearl clutching.

    Are pearls paleo? :)

    I tend to think so, at least if you follow a broad definition of "shellfish". If I'm not mistaken, what are presumed to be shell beads have been found on Stone Age sites.

    You are not at all mistaken :)
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    it works if you put yourself in a calorie deficit.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    You can't outrun a bad diet.

    You keep using that phrase. I do not think it means what you think it means.

    Yeah, I have to admit, I'm slightly confused by this....what do you mean by 'bad diet'? In terms of CICO, it is totally possible to outrun a bad diet. Are you trying to say that if you don't eat a balanced diet and hit your macros and make sure that your body has all the nutrients it needs then no amount of exercise will compensate for that? I've seen you use this phrase many times and I'm curious.

    i am assuming that he means you can't outrun a calorie surplus…so in this case bad diet = surplus ….I think ...
  • girlviernes
    girlviernes Posts: 2,402 Member
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    You can't outrun a bad diet.

    You keep using that phrase. I do not think it means what you think it means.

    Yeah, I have to admit, I'm slightly confused by this....what do you mean by 'bad diet'? In terms of CICO, it is totally possible to outrun a bad diet. Are you trying to say that if you don't eat a balanced diet and hit your macros and make sure that your body has all the nutrients it needs then no amount of exercise will compensate for that? I've seen you use this phrase many times and I'm curious.

    i am assuming that he means you can't outrun a calorie surplus…so in this case bad diet = surplus ….I think ...

    I think he means that you can't outrun a bad diet in terms of diet quality. Which is not what the phrase means.
  • PeachyCarol
    PeachyCarol Posts: 8,029 Member
    Nony_Mouse wrote: »
    segacs wrote: »
    Yeah, the phrase "bad diet" is entirely subjective. I've had vegetarians friend me because I have what they consider to be a good diet, but if a Paleo person looked at my dairy and beans diet with a treat at the end of the day, they'd probably do some serious pearl clutching.

    Are pearls paleo? :)

    I tend to think so, at least if you follow a broad definition of "shellfish". If I'm not mistaken, what are presumed to be shell beads have been found on Stone Age sites.

    You are not at all mistaken :)

    Thank you for confirming that the steel trap hasn't rusted quite as badly as I'd feared!

  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    You can't outrun a bad diet.

    You keep using that phrase. I do not think it means what you think it means.

    Yeah, I have to admit, I'm slightly confused by this....what do you mean by 'bad diet'? In terms of CICO, it is totally possible to outrun a bad diet. Are you trying to say that if you don't eat a balanced diet and hit your macros and make sure that your body has all the nutrients it needs then no amount of exercise will compensate for that? I've seen you use this phrase many times and I'm curious.

    i am assuming that he means you can't outrun a calorie surplus…so in this case bad diet = surplus ….I think ...

    I think he means that you can't outrun a bad diet in terms of diet quality. Which is not what the phrase means.

    if he means that then yes, he is dead wrong….
  • This content has been removed.
  • Merkavar
    Merkavar Posts: 3,082 Member
    edited May 2015
    You can't outrun a bad diet.

    You keep using that phrase. I do not think it means what you think it means.

    Doesn't it mean that you need to look at your food first then exercise. As in you can exercise till your blue in the face but it's pointless if your eating too much.
  • tiarajj08
    tiarajj08 Posts: 82 Member
    I'm confused byou mean by "just by calorie counting"?

    I count calories to lose weight. Sure I'm more active now, but that has the nice positive of being able to eat more and still lose weight. I did lose some weight with just counting calories during my recovery from my last c-section, but as soon as I got the "ok" from my doctor I started working out again.

    I was saying counting calories like how we do on mfp without any exercise. Portioning your meals and eating every 3 hours. Will that still help with weight lost with no exercise?
  • kami3006
    kami3006 Posts: 4,979 Member
    Yes, you can lose weight by just creating a calorie deficit by counting your calories. Exercise is great for fitness and for even gaining some extra calories but not a requirement for weight loss.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    tiarajj08 wrote: »
    I'm confused byou mean by "just by calorie counting"?

    I count calories to lose weight. Sure I'm more active now, but that has the nice positive of being able to eat more and still lose weight. I did lose some weight with just counting calories during my recovery from my last c-section, but as soon as I got the "ok" from my doctor I started working out again.

    I was saying counting calories like how we do on mfp without any exercise. Portioning your meals and eating every 3 hours. Will that still help with weight lost with no exercise?

    Yes, to counting calories and using mfp; no, to eating every three hours.