I wouldn't worry about calories for the first couple of weeks. Just get settled in with low carb eating. But in the long run, IMO, calories will count.

Low carb (like any other diet) is not a magic formula. If you eat 10,000 calories a day you will gain weight, no matter what those calories consist of. Low carb will help you feel fuller for longer because of the satiety and nutrient density of the foods you are eating, however, sometimes it takes a while for your brain to catch up with your stomach. I would suggest counting calories until you get used to what 2000 calories a day looks like and your body adjusts to your new WOE. It's also a way of tracking your intake to figure out what truly works for you. I find that MFP always puts my calories too low... it set mine at around 1200 calories a day to lose 2lbs a week, but I'm losing close to that at 1500. In the end, it's about trial and error and finding out what works for you.

I think calories in < calories out is an important aspect of any weightloss plan; low-carb is no different in my mind. To ensure weight loss its often necessary to weigh and log everything you eat/drink so that you know exactly what you're consuming and become educated regards portion sizes, food choices etc. Macros are also very important on low-carb diets, perhaps even more so. Logging is key for me to getting these right.

In the first few days of going low-carb i would eat up to maintenance calories only if necessary (hunger, lack of energy, feeling ill etc). I would be strict with my carbs though - choose a maximum amount of grams per day and dont go over that. If you need extra satiation whilst adjusting to low-carb choose high fat medium protein snacks. Alll the time, even if you go over your calories, log log log. I find its the best way to be in control of everything that goes in your mouth from the start.

I too recommend just focusing on carb counting for the first few weeks. And as long as you can sustain that until you stop losing. After that point, many people find it necessary to count calories. I've had to do that for 9 mo now. Also, visit the ankerl keto calculator and check your suggested macros. That's something to keep an eye on every once and awhile, even if you are just carb counting. IMO, finding out the appropriate protein range for you is important. And knowing your estimated BMR and maintenance-calorie level, is helpful info to have as well.

My plan is to only log calories occasionally. I have tracked calories and points for far too much of my life. I need to be free of it on a regular basis. I pay attention to carbs.

AngInCanada wrote: »

I wouldn't worry about calories for the first couple of weeks. Just get settled in with low carb eating. But in the long run, IMO, calories will count.

+1


ETA: The people that I try to watch are those similar to me who have had success. Those about my age (and therefore perimenopausal or of similar hormonal make-up) , female, with a similar amount of weight to lose who have been successful watch both carbs and calories (and eat a relatively boring diet). That's what I try to emulate.

While it will still come down to calories, whether or not you track them is really up to you. More specifically, I'd base it on how you feel about tracking calories and whether or not you succeed with/without tracking.

If low carb dieting gives you a substantial boost to satiety (which it does for many but not all people) then there's at least a good chance that you can have some success without tracking, and if it's easier/less stress to do it without tracking then that would be a big win.

Just understand that tracking is a behavior that allows you to attempt to monitor calorie intake and that calorie intake matters a great deal -- but tracking calories and eating a reasonable number of calories are not the same thing.

I am keeping up with my calories but not as much as I am the carbs. Carbs first than calories is what I am doing. I'm on 30 carbs 1200 calories. Trying to stay around 22 for carbs.

giftbouquets wrote: »

I am not counting calories because I find whenever I do I become obsessed with food and it is counterproductive. I am even reluctant to count carbs for same reason. I have stopped eating grains, potatoes, sugar and processed food and have been tracking for these initial weeks just to make sure I am below 100 gms. Plan to stop tracking now I have a good idea of what I can eat. Think this is the best approach for me as I need to see this as a long term WOE and not a 'diet'..

^^^^THIS^^^^^ I want to get to this point. For now I am tracking things since I am a relative newbie, but once I get the hang of things, this is what i want to do.

When I was heavier I didn't worry so much about calories, but the less weight I had to lose, I realized I had no idea how many calories I was actually eating. When I wasn't counting calories, I struggled to get below 172. If I did, it was for a day and I'd bounce back up again. I was 165.8 this morning. So I think when you get to a certain point in your journey tracking calories does matter.