Opinions on breaks from calorie counting ?

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  • Cynthiamr2015
    Cynthiamr2015 Posts: 161 Member
    Instead of taking a long time off how about taking a freebie day once a week just be good the rest of the week. I am wondering why you have to cut stuff out? I eat what I want most of the time I just eat cheese, ice cream, other stuff in moderation. (I cheat sometimes but still I am good most of the time.) What ever works for you might not work for others. Also keep in mind that to long of a time could set you back and I am sure you do not want that. Taking a break is good! I find myself watching the portions I eat even when I am cheating :wink:
  • z4oslo
    z4oslo Posts: 229 Member
    I dont count at all, for several reasons.
    The biggest beeing that it creates (for me) an unatural relationship with food. (have I eaten enough? Did I eat too much? etc) I dont want to feel guilt for doing something basic like eating.

    So what I do instead is to eat really slow, taht way I know I dont overeat.
    This has been working great so far, with 11 kg lost in 2,5 months.
  • llbrixon
    llbrixon Posts: 964 Member
    When I took a "Calorie break " from counting, I would always change the goal to lose 1/2 pound a week and them run on maintenance for awhile. Doing this would give me extra calories to eat. And... .By doing this, I have to realize that my weight loss will slow down.
  • Trina2040
    Trina2040 Posts: 214 Member
    hollen_carol wrote: »
    Trina2040 wrote: »
    I always count calories and have for the past 2 years while losing 52+ lbs. I'm at maintenance now but every 2 months I take a break from the gym for a week to rest and recharge. I still stay active walking, etc. but that one week off the weights and cardio really helps me stay fresh. While losing weight over the last 2 years I also took a "maintenance break," eating maintenance calories and staying active for a week, then it was right back to my deficit. Worked well for me, but I'll always have to count or calorie creep creeps back into my life.

    I love your way of thinking for a break from the gym and from strict counting. I think that sort of mentality would really work to keep things fresh and not feel so trapped and obligated. I'm getting tired of this but I can't stop counting for the long term or I know what the results would be. I like to overindulge way too much :)

    @hollen_carol I just wanted to clarify that I always strictly counted calories, logged them, and still do even though I'm at my goal weight. I took a week off from my deficit switched to maintenance, and no gym exercise for a week. After that week "off," I went back to my deficit calories and back to the gym. Sorry for the confusion.
  • swim777
    swim777 Posts: 599 Member
    Machka9 wrote: »
    I take breaks from counting now and then ... in fact, I've only been half-heartedly counting for a couple weeks now.

    But I still weigh myself every day to monitor what's going on there. If I get concerned about that, I'll start counting regularly again.
    This!!
    I had a really off week..usually I am pretty lenient with calories weekend nights and back on track during the week which keeps a good balance calorie and exercise wise...this week work stress..staying up later..and just too much grading papers and lesson planning made me fall into the snacking habit.

    Life is going to happen..but whether you count or you log and I truly try to do both, weigh in..monitor it, so you can make good decisions..sooo im not eating much today after taking my own advice and WEIGHING! Lol
  • Nikion901
    Nikion901 Posts: 2,467 Member
    I always count my calories even when I am not in a deficit ... and I also track my macros. The break I get is from eating at a deficit, but for me, being responsible means logging my intake ... and that means counting my calories so I don't unintentionally go over my maintenance target range.

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