Silly question re calorie-counting

darrensurrey
darrensurrey Posts: 3,942 Member
edited December 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I wonder if it is possible to maintain a reasonable daily intake for weight loss without actually logging food. Anyone tried it? I've been able to estimate the amount of calories I eat for some time now so wonder if it's possible to "walk without assistance"?

From some calculations on the back of a postage stamp, if I'm awake for 18 hours a day and eat 100 calories an hour... plus 100 for every 30 minutes of training I do... *scratches chin*

What do you think? Liable to get it all wrong or high probability of success?

Replies

  • NanoBear
    NanoBear Posts: 67
    Depends on your situation. I started off needing to lose 50kg (110 pounds). I did what you're describing to start with and dropped about 25kg that way. After that I found I needed a more precise record to keep it going.

    I should add that I can maintain my current weight using that method. I do for a week every so often to give myself a week off. However, I do need a fairly strict record to start losing it again.
  • BeautyFromPain
    BeautyFromPain Posts: 4,952 Member
    Some day I want to try this as well!

    I know how many cals are in most foods I eat nowadays anyways.
  • roachhaley
    roachhaley Posts: 978 Member
    It's definitely possible, +/- around 100 calories from your daily goal won't make much difference in overall weight loss. It's just easier for me to log it here. I can log it immediately and forget about it instead of keeping numbers in my head all day.
  • darrensurrey
    darrensurrey Posts: 3,942 Member
    Hm, food for thought (pardon the pun :D ). I'm at the final stages of achieving what I want to do so will wait until I've hit my goal before attempting to "go it alone".
  • psiren28
    psiren28 Posts: 530 Member
    It's possible but maybe more difficult depending on what you eat. If you're a fan of high cal foods then it's easier to underestimate and whack on some extra cals. e.g. If you underestimate lettuce, no biggie, but if you underestimate peanut butter it could make a big difference.

    It's definitely possible though. I started out my weight loss on Slimming World where you don't count calories at all and I managed to lose consistently each week just by eating pretty clean and sticking to the 'free' foods most of the time (which are: fresh fruit & veg, no oil added (and fruit must be fresh and not cooked, pureed or smoothied), lean meat & fish (with fat cut off and cooked without fats), rice, potatoes, pasta, eggs, baked beans, tinned tomatoes.. and a load of free branded stuff).
  • darrensurrey
    darrensurrey Posts: 3,942 Member
    rice, potatoes, pasta,

    Problem is that this stuff is higher calorie and easy to overeat.

    Also, my problem in the past was undereating and thinking I was eating enough!
  • Umeboshi
    Umeboshi Posts: 1,637 Member
    It could be possible. I just don't see why one would want to do that when logging calories on MFP is so quick and easy and far more effective.
  • Cheshire_Kat
    Cheshire_Kat Posts: 69 Member
    Also, my problem in the past was undereating and thinking I was eating enough!

    ^^^ this will likely happen because you will subconsciously side with caution.
  • darrensurrey
    darrensurrey Posts: 3,942 Member
    Also, my problem in the past was undereating and thinking I was eating enough!

    ^^^ this will likely happen because you will subconsciously side with caution.

    Mm. You're probably right. Was eating approx 1200 calories before exercise calories were subtracted!

    Wonder if there's an effective portable way of doing things - no iPhone here so the app won't help.
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