What is everybody doing : counting calories or counting carb
candie33
Posts: 36 Member
Just wanted to know what is working for everybody...I go between the two only to stay at the same weight. I need to stick to a plan.
0
Replies
-
I am counting calories only. A few times I have been over on carbs a few days but never over on calories (so far).0
-
I'm calorie counting. Didn't even occur to me to count carbs. I try not to go over on anything but mostly the calories.0
-
Calories! I'm trying to loose the weight, but I would think that it would be good for both.0
-
I'm counting both calories and carbs. The carbs are more for just keeping them from being out of control because I really..... really.... love the carbs. By "counting" them I put a conscious effort into what I am eating because I watch the count go up as I enter my foods, and sometimes I decide not to, or simply make a better carb choice. I will not beat myself up for going over the goal though... the carb goal that is. I will beat myself up just a little for going over the calorie count.0
-
Just calories right now, I look at the carb totals each day but I'm not concerning myself with them too much. If I start to plateau then I'll see if anything needs tweaking.
I notice that I go over on the protein most days, it really doesn't allow much does it? I always thought high protein was good
0 -
my problem isnt the calories or carbs, i keep going over on the protein...is that bad??0
-
my problem isnt the calories or carbs, i keep going over on the protein...is that bad??
Are you losing weight or are you getting those in one sitting or is it even across the day? I don't think there is a "right" answer. There is only the "right" answer for YOU.
When I started MFP I tracked what I ate normally for about 2 weeks and it was frightening, lol. I found out I was a protein and fat girl.
I noticed that when I am over on fat esp., I am HUNGRY all the time. It was nothing for me to drop 600cal at breakfast eating eggs, sausage, or whatever. Then I would be starving later. My protein would be multiplied by 3 easy.
One of the theories is that your blood sugar takes a dive after you consume a ton of calories which leads to the "starving".
So if you are even keel, are not "starving" later, and the protein is not full of fat, you are good. If it is working for you, then great.
For me, I had to cut back and spread it throughout the day.0 -
for me helps counting carbs..i am a good carbs eater lol.. eat tortillas, rice and beans.. when i am low in carbs i know i dont eat much calories, i cut salt and sugar..0
-
Counting calories only. Last year I was on WW and felt the points just took some extra work/figuring..than calorie counting. With calorie counting and this great website you can just type something and POOF there is all the information. I want this to be a way of life...not a chore or a math problem I need to solve each day. However I am tracking my sodium as well.... I have huge problems with retaining water and for the last 2 weeks I have drank at least 80 oz of water each day. I can always tell by my wedding ring...in the early AM and late PM my ring leaves a mark. In the afternoon its as loose as can be...I havent cheated on my diet and I work out everyday....so not sure whats going on with that..But Im not giving up
0 -
my problem isnt the calories or carbs, i keep going over on the protein...is that bad??
there s a good source of protein and dont think is bad.. for me bad is what r u eating..
i lost 20 pounds in 3 weeks last year eating protein and less carbs and calories..0 -
lost 12 lbs so far, started about 3 weeks ago, so i am losing , just always see protein as the category i continue to go over on0
-
I strive to get a healthy balance between all...protein,carbs and fats. All calories are NOT created equally, just as all macros are not.
It's not as simple as calories in and calories out. I am living proof of that. It's about HOW you choose to fuel your body and timing too.
Too many people cut out carbs or fats to lose weight, and that is not going to work in the long. Many people don't even know the sources of their carbs and how they can affect your weightloss. Same with fats..you NEED healthy fats for proper brain and organ function. Healthy fats DO NOT make you fat, BUT you can't eat them all day either.
...ok I'm done for now..LOL Too much to write..haha0 -
I don't really count anything. I just try to eat more fruits and veggies. I don't care much for meat anymore. Some days I binge and go crazy over chocolate but with all my running it doesn't seem to effect my weight.... except I can't seem to get rid of the last 20 lbs I want to lose... but that might be because I added weight training a few weeks ago... I don't know. I know if I don't get my run in, I'm more likely to over eat. Our running club didn't go out this morning because of the ice/snow but I'm going out with a 28 year old friend to run this afternoon. We hit the gym yesterday and that was a good workout I'm messing up and drinking too much caffeine. I know my body does best without it. I need to up my water. It helps my skin and it helps my mood. TOM is coming up and I want my chocolate. I don't want to eat it tho because I know It will make me feel blehhh for the next couple of days after eating it. It's funny how that junk effects me. If I'm trying to make good time on a run I know not to eat something like icecream the night before because it slows me down. Weird.... 0
-
Am counting calories but still keeping carbs low and bulking up on the veg while still keeping to target count:happy:0
-
Counting calories here. I usually go over on protein but not by much. I believe my drastic increase in physical activity allowed me to lose 11lbs in my first 14 days. I still could eat a bit more healthy. Hope everyone gets to their goals this year!0
-
Interesting question.
if I follow my obsessive behaviors, I usually count calories.
If I follow my doctor's directions, I should count carbs.0 -
I count them all, especially calories & protein. The fat grams I need to work on as I don't get enough from my protein shakes.0
-
I did the first year or so (30lb or so) by eating virtually nothing of anything. (emotional)
The next year ish, I started on MFP and stuck to 1200 calories (usually less) and lost 10 lb ish.
Since about Christmas I've been a bit stuck so this last month I am jiggling my numbers in the hope of shifting the final few. I've upped my calories to 1350, increased my protein and dropped carbs in the hope of dropping. I never go anywhere my fat totals, just can't eat stuff that has fat. Hang over from the first year of weight loss.
Don't know if I'm doing it right but I need to do something. Any thoughts, anyone?0 -
I'm counting calories. The trainers at the gym have told me NOT to count calories and just pay attention to low carbs. That really hasn't worked for me. Counting calories worked really well when I was in my mid-thirties so I am going to try that again.0
-
Going over on protein is definately not bad. Protein is important for building muscle, which burns fat.0
-
I watch my calories, in fact I upped it on MFP and had lost weight.0
-
Calorie counting is the 1st thing and then I'm watching the carb count and then of course the sodium. As I get better at this I"m hoping that it won't feel like such a strict regiment but for now it's something that I have to do to get on the lifestyle change that will stick! 0
-
I try to make sure I have adequate protein to build my muscles. Lots of healthy fats to maintain proper brain and organ function, and non processed carbs.
I eat when I am hungry...every 2-4 hours and as much as I feel I need at the time. It's different everyday, depending on my workout or recovery.
Carbs and fat are not the enemy, you need them to lose weight....for your body to function. You just have to make sure the forms that your receive these macro nutrients are good sources.
Weightloss (more importantly bodyfat loss) isn't just about calories in vs calories out. That is an over simplification of our complex bodies. 0 -
I tried South Beach and Atkins. I can't do low-carb or no-carb longterm. I end up cheating and going overboard. So, for now, counting calories is effective.0
-
Calories always, but I monitor my sugar, sodium and saturated fats since they cause me the most trouble. I talk the sugar counts with a grain of salt because I consume kefir, yogurt and fruits/veggies every day. I reduce the count by the natural sugars found in those items and if the remainder exceeds my daily goal, then I work on it going forward (but that hasn't happened too often).
I eat lots of protein because I'm doing strength training and starting to lift more weight. I try to average about 1g of protein per pound of lean body mass. Haven't checked my body fat% in a few weeks, but my pants are falling off, so I figure something is leaving.0 -
Counting calories only. Last year I was on WW and felt the points just took some extra work/figuring..than calorie counting. With calorie counting and this great website you can just type something and POOF there is all the information. I want this to be a way of life...not a chore or a math problem I need to solve each day. However I am tracking my sodium as well.... I have huge problems with retaining water and for the last 2 weeks I have drank at least 80 oz of water each day. I can always tell by my wedding ring...in the early AM and late PM my ring leaves a mark. In the afternoon its as loose as can be...I havent cheated on my diet and I work out everyday....so not sure whats going on with that..But Im not giving up
Hi, I have a big problem with water retention too. I gain five pounds overnight when I am retaining water. I don't know why but it started when I turned around 40. It makes me feel horrible physically. Does drinking a lot of water help you? I have been drinking a lot of plain green tea. I have been counting calories only but I notice that my sugar level on MFP is sky high by lunch and I haven't eaten anything sweet. They give very low allowance levels? Well, it seems that way. lol Diabetes runs in my family so this is why I am monitoring it.0 -
I'm just counting calories, but I'm experimenting with eliminating sugars this week and seeing if that helps. I've only been on this site for a week, but I've been effectively losing the same pound over and over again, LOL!
I'm also tracking what days I remember to take my vitamins. It seems to kick-start my metabolism when I remember them.0 -
I am on a 1200 Calorie intake and count my calories, total fat, carbs, fiber, proteins. I have a count that I need to meet or not go over and this helps me balance out my meals to fit my goal
0 -
Counting calories for sure. Carbs make me happy, so I can enjoy them and not go over on my calories!0
-
my weight loss is slow so I have decided to count calories but only eat foods with a low glycaemic index - so I am avoiding breads, pasta, and starchy sweet vegetables and foods.0
This discussion has been closed.