Is calorie counting really going to work?
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ChelleDee07 wrote: »Yes it works. I started January 11th at 260 lbs. I changed what I eat (healthier) and the amount I eat (correct servings, weighing my food) and I move more. I was sedentary and sitting on the couch, mindlessly snacking in front of the TV, eating 2nd servings at suppertime and all that behavior had to be changed... but as of today I am down 96 lbs. Yes... I am only 4 lbs away from 100 lbs GONE. This is a result of changing my lifestyle. I highly recommend getting the $20 stainless steel digital food scale from WM. You can switch it back and forth between grams and ounces without flipping it to the backside to change the measuring methods. I bought a cheap one while we were away from home once and it wasn't no where near as accurate.
Look for your support here on MFP ~ like minded people will help inspire and motivate you.
I just bought that scale tonight!
Per others:
As for my husband I think he's just jealous. Before we left for vacation he was on a treadmill after work every day for about 30 minutes. We have been back for 2 solid weeks and he hasn't been back on it.
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I've been at this myfitnesspal thing for over a week now at 1200 calories per day. Though I've been trying portion control for over a month and cut out sodas over 3 weeks ago and am drinking only water now.
If I google lots of sites come up saying calorie counting doesn't work. Also doing a search about egg consumption some sites say no more than 3 a day and others say 6 per week. So which is it?
Some websites suggest barely eating causes your metabolism to slow down and other say that is a bunch of hooey otherwise the cast of survivor wouldn't be so skinny by the end of the month.
I usually get so busy and stressed out I used to eat once a day at dinner. So now I'm trying to eat three times a day and its hard since I'm not hungry. Some days I don't even hit 1200 calories, i could be 300-400 short. I also started walking 10-30 minutes per day and yet it feels like nothing is happening.
I just want to be able to stand on the scale and see numbers in the 160's whether i am dressed or not, that is my small goal/be at 165 by 9/15. It didn't seem impossible from reading everyone else's stories, but now I'm starting to doubt.
1) Calorie counting works. Health aside, when it comes to weight loss it will always be calories in, calories out. You could eat 1200 calories of chocolate or 1200 calories of fruit and lose weight either way. As far as cholesterol/BP/HR, you're better off with the fruit, but you would still lose weight on the chocolate diet.
Some people don't like calorie counting because they see it as a form of crash dieting. People start counting calories but they're not really adopting healthy habits. Before long they give up on counting calories and go back to junk food. But there is nothing wrong with counting calories as long as you're using it as a tool along with adopting healthy habits instead of it being a quick way to lose weight.
2) Eggs doesn't matter. You could eat 3, 6, or 20 if it means staying within a calorie budget.
3) Starvation mode is a myth. Check out the site losertown. It tells you how much weight you'd lose on a certain number of calories and takes into account the decrease in metabolism as weight goes down (which is a small decrease!) Even on 500 calories you'd still be losing weight.
4) If you're asking whether or not you'll lose weight on 1200 calories, definitely. Going lower isn't recommended and usually leads to binging.5 -
Before the hordes arrive with the torches and pitchforks, I'll add the common sense proviso:
Speaking purely in terms of weight loss, calories are all that matter. Period. With that said, when you factor in general health, body composition, energy levels, satiety/adherence, workout performance, etc., overall nutrition, macro- and micronutrients matter. It's a good idea to eat a varied, balanced diet while maintaining a caloric deficit over time to elicit the desired weight loss.17 -
Well saidBefore the hordes arrive with the torches and pitchforks, I'll add the common sense proviso:
Speaking purely in terms of weight loss, calories are all that matter. When you factor in general health, body composition, energy levels, satiety/adherence, workout performance, etc., overall nutrition, macro- and micronutrients matter. It's a good idea to eat a varied, balanced diet while maintaining a caloric deficit over time to elicit the desired weight loss.
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65 pounds lost via calorie counting and exercise. Pretty sure it works. And 55% - 65% of those calories are evil carbs.
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Before the hordes arrive with the torches and pitchforks, I'll add the common sense proviso:
Speaking purely in terms of weight loss, calories are all that matter. Period. With that said, when you factor in general health, body composition, energy levels, satiety/adherence, workout performance, etc., overall nutrition, macro- and micronutrients matter. It's a good idea to eat a varied, balanced diet while maintaining a caloric deficit over time to elicit the desired weight loss.
/end thread3 -
I've tried several diets over the years with a lot of stress and very little to no success.
This is what I looked like in July 2013
and this is what I look like now
So yes, calorie counting works and for me it is the only thing that works.
Plus thisBefore the hordes arrive with the torches and pitchforks, I'll add the common sense proviso:
Speaking purely in terms of weight loss, calories are all that matter. Period. With that said, when you factor in general health, body composition, energy levels, satiety/adherence, workout performance, etc., overall nutrition, macro- and micronutrients matter. It's a good idea to eat a varied, balanced diet while maintaining a caloric deficit over time to elicit the desired weight loss.
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ChelleDee07 wrote: »Yes it works. I started January 11th at 260 lbs. I changed what I eat (healthier) and the amount I eat (correct servings, weighing my food) and I move more. I was sedentary and sitting on the couch, mindlessly snacking in front of the TV, eating 2nd servings at suppertime and all that behavior had to be changed... but as of today I am down 96 lbs. Yes... I am only 4 lbs away from 100 lbs GONE. This is a result of changing my lifestyle. I highly recommend getting the $20 stainless steel digital food scale from WM. You can switch it back and forth between grams and ounces without flipping it to the backside to change the measuring methods. I bought a cheap one while we were away from home once and it wasn't no where near as accurate.
Look for your support here on MFP ~ like minded people will help inspire and motivate you.
I just bought that scale tonight!
Per others:
As for my husband I think he's just jealous. Before we left for vacation he was on a treadmill after work every day for about 30 minutes. We have been back for 2 solid weeks and he hasn't been back on it.
Next time he comments, throw your old scale at him :-) LOL12 -
I've tried several diets over the years with a lot of stress and very little to no success.
This is what I looked like in July 2013
and this is what I look like now
So yes, calorie counting works and for me it is the only thing that works.
Plus thisBefore the hordes arrive with the torches and pitchforks, I'll add the common sense proviso:
Speaking purely in terms of weight loss, calories are all that matter. Period. With that said, when you factor in general health, body composition, energy levels, satiety/adherence, workout performance, etc., overall nutrition, macro- and micronutrients matter. It's a good idea to eat a varied, balanced diet while maintaining a caloric deficit over time to elicit the desired weight loss.
you look awesome.8 -
Look up learned helplessness, looks like that is what your husband is trying to induce in you4
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I found it easier to get rid of the weight by raising my metabolism -> yup, that means physical activity. Add that to really being HONEST about counting calories and for 4 months I lost 2 lbs a week. Sadly, I couldn't maintain that and life got in the way, but I kept logging my food, didn't gain it all back and just started up at the gym again.
Ask your husband how he would feel if you undermined his goals like that. What a turd!4 -
I found it easier to get rid of the weight by raising my metabolism -> yup, that means physical activity. Add that to really being HONEST about counting calories and for 4 months I lost 2 lbs a week. Sadly, I couldn't maintain that and life got in the way, but I kept logging my food, didn't gain it all back and just started up at the gym again.
Ask your husband how he would feel if you undermined his goals like that. What a turd!
Well, yes it works. But you have to do an awful lot to create a calorie deficit through workouts. Say you enjoy running. weight in lbs * distance in miles * 0.68 is a scientifically fairly accepted calorie burn for running. So if you're 170lbs and you want to create a daily deficit of 500kcal you'd need to run (not walk) over 4 miles each day. And this distance gets longer the lighter you get. any kind of strength training burns less calories.7 -
I found it easier to get rid of the weight by raising my metabolism -> yup, that means physical activity. Add that to really being HONEST about counting calories and for 4 months I lost 2 lbs a week. Sadly, I couldn't maintain that and life got in the way, but I kept logging my food, didn't gain it all back and just started up at the gym again.
Ask your husband how he would feel if you undermined his goals like that. What a turd!
I don't know that you can outrun a bad diet. In fact I'm sure of it. You can't. For most of us that have tried, we didn't realize we had a bad diet because most of us didn't count calories. And if we thought we were, we weren't because you can't count calories unless you measure accurately.
Once you have that down, activity helps you get healthy, and allows you to eat more, which you should do in those cases in order to fuel yourself to get healthy. See how it all works together?
Activity absolutely helps me, but aside from the obvious fitness benefits, it allows me to eat more comfortably without feeling extra hungry.
The single most freeing change is the revelation that accurate weighing and measuring is 80% (or more) of the process. And it works.6 -
OP - I was almost exactly where you are 10 months ago. I am 5'4'' and was 168 pounds. I am now 129. Use that food scale, log religiously and the weight will come off. It may be slow going sometimes and you will probably have weeks you don't lose anything. Just be patient and you will see results.2
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I've lost 54lbs this year calorie counting, it 100% works!!1
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I've been at this myfitnesspal thing for over a week now at 1200 calories per day. Though I've been trying portion control for over a month and cut out sodas over 3 weeks ago and am drinking only water now.
If I google lots of sites come up saying calorie counting doesn't work. Also doing a search about egg consumption some sites say no more than 3 a day and others say 6 per week. So which is it?
Some websites suggest barely eating causes your metabolism to slow down and other say that is a bunch of hooey otherwise the cast of survivor wouldn't be so skinny by the end of the month.
I usually get so busy and stressed out I used to eat once a day at dinner. So now I'm trying to eat three times a day and its hard since I'm not hungry. Some days I don't even hit 1200 calories, i could be 300-400 short. I also started walking 10-30 minutes per day and yet it feels like nothing is happening.
I just want to be able to stand on the scale and see numbers in the 160's whether i am dressed or not, that is my small goal/be at 165 by 9/15. It didn't seem impossible from reading everyone else's stories, but now I'm starting to doubt.
Yes it will work...like a charm if you apply it correctly.
As well if you are curious about things and want to research ensure that you are using reputable sites...not just random blogs etc.
Another thing...fasting is fine if you want to do it that way but make sure you are getting in enough calories to fuel your body and walks...and I expect 1200 isn't enough.
When I started I was about 185 and I was eating 1600 a day...with exercise calories.
As for your husband telling you that you were fat...I have to ask...did you ask him if you were and he agreed or did he just randomly say you were fat.
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Yeah I did buy a scale, just one of those cheapy 5.99 ones at BBB. My husband is already making fun of me and not happy that i'm counting calories even though he told me i was fat.
Height 5'6" and i seem to flop between 169 and 172 on a daily basis currently
your husband doesn't sound very supportive
And the scale doesn't matter as long as you have one and can weigh what you are eating.
Feel free to add me as a friend! I lost 25 lbs on MFP a year and a half ago along with Weight Watchers. The weight comes off slower when counting calories but it comes off. I like that I can eat what I want as long as I keep it within my calories for the day. You've got this!2 -
He may be jealous - he may not. Either way - just do you! You can't worry about another person's choice to lose weight along with you. He doesn't sound supportive or like he's really in it for the long haul. Just do your thing and when he sees you making results he might come around again and start back.
I just bought that scale tonight!
Per others:
As for my husband I think he's just jealous. Before we left for vacation he was on a treadmill after work every day for about 30 minutes. We have been back for 2 solid weeks and he hasn't been back on it.
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I've lost 31 pounds since April JUST from counting calories. I sit at a desk for 10 hours a day, so I'm lucky if I get over 5000 steps in, and I haven't gone to the gym in about 3 months.3
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Not only "does" it work, it's the only thing that works.
No matter what "diet" you do or what supplements/pills/smoothies/potions you take, you won't lose weight unless you're consuming less calories than you're expending. Period. Different diet approaches are just different ways of arriving at that necessary caloric deficit.
Can't believe I'm going to disagree with @anvilhead. But I think it might just be semantics.
Calorie counting works, but there are other effective ways to reduce your calories without actually counting and lots of people have lost weight without counting. In all cases they lose weight because of reducing calories, but it can be done without counting.
But yes, counting does work. I'm down 100 lbs using MFP and counting. To me, it's the easiest way to lose weight as it becomes a math problem for me, and I'm an Accountant.5
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