I count calories and keep track of carbs. But I kinda have to because I'm a chronic pain person and am extremely sedentary though that is getting slightly since most of the joint inflammation has gone away.

From June last year until the first of this year I did 1200 calories a day, but now I'm eating more as I'm way lighter. And yes, I'm doctor supervised because eating that little is not recommended but I was in horrible shape and didn't have much quality of life at the time. Now I try to eat at least 1350 a day up to around 15 - 1600 and 20g carbs but don't fret if I go over a bit.

With any diet, keto or not, it really does all boil down to calories in and calories out. The above poster is right - The reason a lot of people say you don't need to count on keto is because you're more easily satiated, so many people are successful without counting calories. Having started out quite heavy myself, it worked a little in the beginning, but as I lost more and more weight, I really needed to stick to counting. I'm not a huge fan of the calorie estimates from MFP, they seem far too low for my tastes. I'm a 5'6' female @ 160lbs and I'm losing eating 1,300 cal/day, so if 1,100 is too challenging for you, you could probably up it a little bit depending on your situation/body and still lose, even if it's a bit more slowly.

I've been following a keto diet since February and I count carbs, calories and watch my macros as well. It's a lot to keep track of but it's been helpful. I will eat if I am truly hungry even if it means going a bit over my calorie range. Sounds dramatic but I feel like I'm in recovery from a lifetime of overeating and sugar addiction. So I assume at some point I will be able to stop counting and eat intuitively but I'm not there yet.

It took me 3 or 4 months to find my groove with keto and I read a lot and lurked on these boards as well. Lots of good information out there and you will find your groove too.

Best wishes to you!

Keto is a little different, because it's reprogramming the body to use fat as fuel versus glucose as fuel. It changes a lot more inside the body than just that, it changes hormones, liver functions, things we can't see, etc.

Calories per gram of food and speeds for metabolizing go:

9 cals--fats slowest
4 cals--proteins second slowest
4 cals--carbs fast

Eating proteins and fats is very filling... It's easier to get higher calorie foods in through healthy fats and fatty proteins. If you're at a deficit, the body will burn through calorie intake and still keep burning through stored fuel.

MFP will not give a calorie limit under 1200.

But I agree with an above commenter, keto calculator app I used put me around 1650 calories. MFP had me at 1300. Had to adjust goals to get that raised to 1410 (my range I try for 1300-1650).

Also, I believe most jump into a new diet or new exercise program thinking of the today, but not the tomorrow. The lower the calorie intake you start at, the harder it will be to get out of and adjust for future plateaus. Same with exercising, if incorporating a new routine, start light cardio or very light strength training. Increase later.

Can always adjust calories and/or exercise if at a stall.

Hope this helps!!

I do both, simply because that is what has worked for me. I was on a low carb/keto plan for quite some time with very little weight loss. I thought I was doing everything right. Added the butter, oil, and bulletproof coffee. I loaded up on all things fat + protein. In short, I was eating way to many calories for my body to even process.

I wound up joining Medi Weightloss Clinic. The principals were keto'ish too. However, the restriction of calories was what I needed. I have lost 31lbs since May 1 and it is July 31. I love Medi because it taught me what I was doing was wrong for me. I stopped going to Medi the end of June due to a very busy schedule. I have lost on my own because I count my calories and stay low carb. I don't count carbs but just choose low carb foods. I stay under 1350 a day. There are few days I go over as well.

There are many people I know that have lost weight on the keto diet. Which is typically high fat, moderate protein, and low/no carb. However, I do much better on lower calorie and low carb. My body just couldn't process all the fat!

I think it really is a matter of learning what works for your body. It's frustrating to say the least that what works for one doesn't work for another. We all are so unique. I also learned that my low carb may be different than another persons low carb. I allow sugar free products in my diet. Others may not. I am sensitive to wheat products so I don't eat that...where as another low carber may indulge in whole wheat or grains. It's all about perspective and our own journey.

I wish you the best!! I know you will rock this lifestyle.

tcunbeliever wrote: »

I count both, but there are a lot of people who don't count calories for the first few weeks of keto just to focus on adapting to the lower carbs without having to restrict intake in the beginning.

I can totally build fat on keto, so if I want to maintain or lose, then I definitely have to track calories. I fill in with non-starchy veggies if I am still hungry after eating my daily protein. If you have excess body fat then you don't really need to eat the extra fat.

I am just like tcunbeliever... if I don't watch my calories I do gain fat on keto. But then again I'm 55, through menopause, and due to a couple of autoimmune conditions can't get as much exercise as I used to.