Do you plan on counting calories your whole life in order to maintain?
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I am not sure if I will always calorie count, maybe I will, maybe I won't. I don't find that it takes up much of my time so it really doesn't bother me either way. When I get into maintenance I will probably log until I know I have the correct calorie level then take a break from logging, continue to weigh in once per week and see how I get on. If weight starts creeping back on outside of my weight range then I can always pick it back up again.3
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Probably not, but every time I stop logging what I eat (at least eyeballing), I gain weight.0
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I most likely will. It's become such a habit now that I don't think twice about it. I also like the certainty of it. I don't have to wait until i've gained five pounds to realize i've been over eating, if i track there's never any doubt.
It's just become something else i monitor - how much money is in the bank, how much toilet paper is in the linen closet, how many calories are in my body10 -
I always will be tracking, for a few reasons.
1. I have an engineer mindset, so I like the precision of tracking vs eyeball. But there's a cost benefit to it. I'll eyeball eating out, but measure for eating in.
2. I'll never be at maintenance where my calories and exercise are consistent long term. I do triathlon and half marathon running and so my in season burn varies dramatically from off season and even day to day will vary (10 mile run vs a light swim or rest day).
3. In maintenance, without tracking calories, even with weighing yourself every day, it's going to take longer to spot a trend due to stuff like water weight variation. With calorie counting, I can anticipate trending up or down a lot sooner.7 -
I think I'm committed for life. And realistically, nobody bats an eye at it if you keep a checkbook register. Why is it such a strange notion for anyone to count the calories that go into their own body? Gaining a pound may not be as immediately obvious as an overdrawn account but which one contributes to mortality?5
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No. I planned on counting calories for life but l learned enough during my year of weightloss to be mindful of my calories in relation to my activity. I love knowing that the XXL grilled stuffed burrito I order from Taco Bell has 840 calories. That's breakfast and lunch if I'm not up for a long walk. If my clothes start getting snug, I do step on the scale, make dietary adjustments, and get my body moving. I tapered off logging and no longer use a Fitbit even though I like to occasionally log a day's worth of food just to see how many calories I'm actually consuming.1
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Yes. Estimating doesn't work. Been there, done that.3
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Ok - I understand the feeling of being locked in and being too obsessive with the logging. I get that sometimes also. But then I remember all the years I did not log or weigh and tried to be "normal" and always gained weight again. sigh. But the logging and weighing is a small price to pay if I can maintain. Maybe the answer is NOT to try to log the day in advance always but maybe log most of it, and then make up your mind about the evening when you get there. I have started doing that sometimes instead of pre logging and it is a lot more freedom feeling. I think that not logging would work best for folks who have lost weight once and made the 'lifestyle change' while losing and maintaining,1
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SummerSkier wrote: »Interesting. It seems almost like some folks think counting calories forever is a bad thing and something to try to wean off of? What harm is there in it? I can see being a little less strict about it but if it works where is the negative? Unless of course you just hate using MFP to log.
Bad thing? Not really...probably unrealistic for the vast majority of people. I lost my weight when I was 38 and stopped counting when I went to maintenance. Along the way I developed a lot of healthy habits...better eating habits...more active, etc that I took into maintenance and five years later I'm still trucking along.
Calorie counting wasn't the "lifestyle change" I was going for...it was a tool to teach me how to go about changing my lifestyle. Adopting a healthier lifestyle by making better food decisions and getting in regular activity and exercise is where I made my "lifestyle change" (I hate that term). Calorie counting became an overly obsessive endeavor and I felt like I was losing myself in the process.
Genetics say that I could easily live into my 80s and even 90s, particularly as I've gotten my *kitten* together...the notion of counting calories for the next 40-50 years didn't seem remotely plausible to me and I seriously doubt it is for the vast majority of people...even the one's claiming they will do it forever. I'm sure there are some, but I'd wager that they would be tremendously few and far between...
I've had zero issue maintaining my weight...I monitor it regularly and if I see it creep up, it's easy enough to address it in real time and not let it get out of hand. I'm also pretty aware of the calories in most things from spending 9 months counting...I can be mindful of that without putting it into a diary.7 -
SummerSkier wrote: »Interesting. It seems almost like some folks think counting calories forever is a bad thing and something to try to wean off of? What harm is there in it? I can see being a little less strict about it but if it works where is the negative? Unless of course you just hate using MFP to log.
Great question, @SummerSkier - for me, MFP has become an obsession, specifically around planning out my day in advance. What was once a relief, knowing I had food scheduled throughout the day now feels like a prison. I feel locked into eating certain foods at certain times regardless of whether or not I am hungry, to meet my calorie/macro goals. I’ve lost my mindfulness about hunger cues. I’ve also lost my spontaneity along the way...
I may journey down this path of mindful eating and realize that it was a big mistake - that these trade-offs listed above are worth every bit of control that MFP provides as a very helpful (and proven) tool for weight management. If I am successful going down this new path, freedom from my obsession around food will be my prize.
Pretty much where I was once upon a time...1 -
I'm not in maintenance just yet, but historically (most of my life prior to the dreaded desk job) I was, and while it was helpful to occasionally track, it wasn't a daily process like it is right now. Right now I need it to stay honest about my portions and to help my appetite and body adjust to what it actually needs. Once I'm back to maintenance and holding there, I will back off on the tracking. I'll still pick it up on some challenges and such to be sure I'm staying honest, and it's good for me to still measure and track weight, but the constant calorie check? Nope.1
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I think my answer to this question will always be the same...
"If I need to"
I've done the yo-yo before and would prefer not to do it again. If counting is the only tool that is long term effective for me, then it will be the tool I continue to use forever. It's never been a problem. It doesn't take hardly any time, etc. It's a small price to pay, I guess.10 -
I have been counting calories daily for nearly 7 years. It's just part of my life now. Some can go without counting and will be just fine, but I'm not one of those people.7
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I will log my food for the foreseeable future. Keeps me honest and accountable3
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SummerSkier wrote: »Interesting. It seems almost like some folks think counting calories forever is a bad thing and something to try to wean off of? What harm is there in it? I can see being a little less strict about it but if it works where is the negative? Unless of course you just hate using MFP to log.
IMO it's okay to log for the rest of your life if you're okay relying on something other than yourself to be healthy.
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Yes I plan to log forever. I’ve lost and gained 60+ lbs 9 TIMES in my life starting at the age of 15. I’m down about 60 lbs again. Some crazy stuff I’ve done to lose weight too. Like eating every other day, low carb (actually starving on around 500 calories a day because I started hating meat), weight watchers (hated it and didn’t lose a lot) and vegan (lowest weight achieved but I love cheese, so that didn’t last).
When I got more mature I thought “I will keep it off this time because I've been healed of my overeating problem” and “ I will just act different this time and won’t overeat to mask my stress anymore” or “I will just suffer through this diet and figure out how to maintain when it’s time”. Didn’t work. The longest I've maintained was about 3 years and even then I gained 10 lbs.
It’s not a crutch or weak to be intelligent enough to know you need help.
I actually like to log because sometimes I’m only slightly hungry and not starving and I look at my calories remaining for the day and I have enough left for a treat. That makes me happy and I feel like I’m not being deprived. Ive had food issues since childhood. I like food and the way it makes me feel, so relying on my natural instincts on how much to eat would leave me overeating all the time. I’m a smart and successful person. Weight is pretty much the biggest problem in my life. I am determined to conquer it. Using a tool to do that is actually a smart (non lazy) thing to do.19 -
AnotherPlate wrote: »IMO it's okay to log for the rest of your life if you're okay relying on something other than yourself to be healthy.
Oh Jeeves, you failed to log my food properly my man, and I've now gained fat! I'm letting you go ol'boy and getting someone else who will log my food properly for me!
Both statements are equally err... *kitten*.
Look: nobody is forcing anyone to log their food... right?
I mean if it ain't working for you by all means, don't log.
Just remember that if you have a tendency to 'naturally' put on weight over time... well, don't be surprised as to where you'll find yourself in 5 years.
Heck, this may happen even if you log.13 -
AnotherPlate wrote: »SummerSkier wrote: »Interesting. It seems almost like some folks think counting calories forever is a bad thing and something to try to wean off of? What harm is there in it? I can see being a little less strict about it but if it works where is the negative? Unless of course you just hate using MFP to log.
IMO it's okay to log for the rest of your life if you're okay relying on something other than yourself to be healthy.
This post annoys me for some reason. As if you don't rely on anything or anyone else for your health? Do you not use exercise equipment? Athletic shoes? Food that comes from farms and slaughter houses at which YOU did absolutely no work? Doctors? Gyms? Grocery stores? Medication? I think you can see where I'm going with this...we all rely on something other than ourselves in order to be healthy. If some of us use mfp as an aid, why should that be considered a negative?15 -
lightenup2016 wrote: »AnotherPlate wrote: »SummerSkier wrote: »Interesting. It seems almost like some folks think counting calories forever is a bad thing and something to try to wean off of? What harm is there in it? I can see being a little less strict about it but if it works where is the negative? Unless of course you just hate using MFP to log.
IMO it's okay to log for the rest of your life if you're okay relying on something other than yourself to be healthy.
This post annoys me for some reason. As if you don't rely on anything or anyone else for your health? Do you not use exercise equipment? Athletic shoes? Food that comes from farms and slaughter houses at which YOU did absolutely no work? Doctors? Gyms? Grocery stores? Medication? I think you can see where I'm going with this...we all rely on something other than ourselves in order to be healthy. If some of us use mfp as an aid, why should that be considered a negative?
I think it has something to do with some weird moral connotations. There has always been some kind of a moral undertone to eating, probably has religious roots in the past and the values stuck around (gluttony is bad, shunning hedonistic pleasures is good, the body is a temple, self restraint...etc). It's kind of like those who are smart about using any tools and strategies that help them achieve their goal are seen as taking "the easy way out" or "using a crutch", which I don't get. The goal is sustainable weight management with a healthy mindset, why does it matter how that is achieved? Why does not counting calories is somehow better?14 -
I don't "plan" to, but if it turns out I need to, then I will2
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I plan to keep looking at the labels and portion sizes. I plan to keep regularly checking my weight and how my clothes fit.
If I then need to make an intervention I know I can log and stick to a routine to keep back on track.
I've found it useful to come back for a couple of months at times and start logging again, this is to do with having a staged weight loss plan, cut a chunk, maintain and then cut the rest, but it gets me back on track.
Maybe I'll carry on doing a January log each year to keep aware of what's going in and out and what's changed over time.2 -
I'd like to say no, but in reality probably yes. Perhaps less religiously or only with more calorie dense foods.0
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It annoys me too but the person that said it is on MFP so obviously not doing it on his/her own. Also I see it as a comment to upset people with no good evidence to support their case (aka troll)....lightenup2016 wrote: »AnotherPlate wrote: »SummerSkier wrote: »Interesting. It seems almost like some folks think counting calories forever is a bad thing and something to try to wean off of? What harm is there in it? I can see being a little less strict about it but if it works where is the negative? Unless of course you just hate using MFP to log.
IMO it's okay to log for the rest of your life if you're okay relying on something other than yourself to be healthy.
This post annoys me for some reason. As if you don't rely on anything or anyone else for your health? Do you not use exercise equipment? Athletic shoes? Food that comes from farms and slaughter houses at which YOU did absolutely no work? Doctors? Gyms? Grocery stores? Medication? I think you can see where I'm going with this...we all rely on something other than ourselves in order to be healthy. If some of us use mfp as an aid, why should that be considered a negative?
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It annoys me when people think everyone's goal should be to stop calorie counting and/or tracking. Calorie counting is a tool, not a crutch, unless one would consider a ruler a crutch, and expect everyone's goal should be to accurately measure an inch without it. Sure, some people are good at eyeballing, and if they don't apply it to a project where more precision is required, they get through life just fine without rulers. Nothing wrong with that, unless those people then turn around and expect those of us working on projects where that sixteenth of an inch makes a difference to learn to eyeball it, and believe we are obsessed or weak when eyeballing doesn't work for our particular purposes.
^This. I don't understand why if calorie counting "isn't for you" it needs to not be for everyone.
In the reverse, I understand that for some people, calorie counting isn't their thing, and that's fine. There are lots of ways to find a sustainable path, and we each have to work out which way is best for our goals and personal idiosyncrasies. I see nothing wrong with choosing to either calorie count or not. Whichever way gets you to where you want to be.
For me personally? I remember throughout my years of dieting prior to coming to MFP that there was always a sense of something unknown underpinning what was going on in the process of my diet. How the whole thing worked or was supposed to work was always a bit of a mystery. Understanding the relationship between calories, activity, and the scale was freeing for me and I like the reassurance it brings me. I'll continue counting calories because I like to.12 -
SummerSkier wrote: »Interesting. It seems almost like some folks think counting calories forever is a bad thing and something to try to wean off of? What harm is there in it? I can see being a little less strict about it but if it works where is the negative? Unless of course you just hate using MFP to log.
I am guessing because it isn't natural, to do especially upon; a regular basis!
It's not natural to wear eyeglasses either, but I still do that.10 -
When I stop counting calories my portions get bigger and bigger until, well you know... I eat low carb and had been continuing that for some time. I was pretty happy with my weight but saw it start to creep back up over the course of 18 months. Not a lot but about twelve pounds. I was still eating low or no carbs but slowly gaining weight. I went back to counting again about a month ago and was amazed at how much smaller my omelets got measuring and counting as compared to freestyle. Have managed to drop about six pounds in a month with at least ten more to go. Counting is good, at least for me!11
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AnotherPlate wrote: »SummerSkier wrote: »Interesting. It seems almost like some folks think counting calories forever is a bad thing and something to try to wean off of? What harm is there in it? I can see being a little less strict about it but if it works where is the negative? Unless of course you just hate using MFP to log.
IMO it's okay to log for the rest of your life if you're okay relying on something other than yourself to be healthy.
This is such nonsense.
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I think because we live in a world where foods are so much higher and unhealthy MSG gravings: yes I think we should always look on the backside to see how many calories we take in but to weigh it..is temporary to help you portion control to give you an idea of the food amount.I feel this is now a life style so I only weigh things I cook or make.So yes I think it is positive for people that over eat it helps like me!1
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No, not really. I don't have a problem maintaining without counting if I'm being mindful of what I'm eating/eating when I'm truly hungry. Losing weight while not counting is a lot harder, though.3
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Once you have learned and habituated your needs for calorie level, as opposed to wants and thoughtless eating, and you have learned the actual caloric content of most of your regular foods, there is no further need for formal counting, But, yes, you have to be aware and make appropriate choices for intake and output the rest of your life, if you truly expect to have a fit and healthy lifestyle. Harder to do for some of us than for others, but every single person is subject to the results of CICO, whether you count or not.7
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