Tracking Calories...a diet killer

To me there are no bad foods, I eat whatever I want as long as I have the calories to support it, and I have lost over 22 pounds since May.

I don't mind it a bit- I am more successful counting calories than not. And ironically, I am eating better as well as eating foods I love.

In my young adult life, Ive lost a combine total of 75 pounds (25 lbs on 3 separate occasions) and never once counted calories for more than a day.


My point is:

Your body/stomach goes by the weight of the food not the calories. For example, currently I eat over 3000 calories a day, which would be something around 50 cans of greenbeans. Could I possible eat 50 cans of greenbeans? no of course not, but that would be my calorie intake of now. The point is to eat food with less calories per weight, thats how you trick yourself/stomach to not eat as many.


Now breaking away from great tasting terrible food is another issue.

If what you're doing is working for you - great! I like counting calories. I also have lost in the past. But this time is different. I'm accountable to myself when I log what I eat. Why did you gain your weight back??

Counting calories doesn't bother me at all. I log everything I eat/drink. When someone is starting this process, I think it is very important for them to count calories. Too many people have no idea what an actual portion should be. For instance, someone might cutback on their "normal" serving on food is, but it still might be more than what a portion consists of and they don't realize it and think they are consuming less than they actually are. Until you have an idea of what a portion is and what you are consuming, logging is important.

Your body/stomach goes by the weight of the food not the calories.

HUH?

No, I disagree totally.
I enjoy tracking calories, and it's habit now. I know the general calorie count and macro breakdown of most foods just by looking at it. If this is not your thing, there are alternative methods, but at day's end it all comes down to a simple math equation.
Calories In vs Calories Burned
That's it.

To the original poster....I have to respectfully disagree on several points.
Point 1.....I don't feel calorie counting is a 'diet' killer....first of all most of us are on here not because we need to diet, but because we need to change our lifestyles...that happens to include eating, how we eat, why we eat, what we eat, etc. It also includes regular exercise, drinking plenty of water, maintaining a healthy attitude, for some of us accountability, support, well-thought out suggestions.
For me, not just calorie counting, but keeping up with carbs, proteins, fats, sugars, ..... helps me to realize what I am putting into body each day. This helps me regulate not only my weight, but diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, and the list could go on.
Point 2....Nutrition matters....not just whether we are putting a certain amount of calories in our mouths, but are they beneficial? Everyone 'needs' good fats daily. Avocados are a way to get good fats. I think boning up on nutrition would be very advantageous for you, as it is for all of us.
Point 3....That's fantastic that you have lost some 75 pounds over the years....BUT you are here because you have regained some or all of it. Hence, nothing was learned or heeded.
I am here because I need it, my health demands a change and I am ready and willing to do it and learn. I know there will be stumbling blocks along the way....but also that each of them are a CHOICE.
It's a change in lifestyle.....not a diet....and until a person is ready to accept that....no fad, website or top-selling book means a thing.

And what exactly do I have to learn from this statement?

High calorie foods cause you to gain weight period. They could be strawberries or they could be KFC.

The point Ive been trying to make is about VOLUME your stomach can hold.

For example:

Someone who is overweight wouldn't run to the store and buy a bunch of avocados...they may be healthy but they will set you back for the time being. The whole point of a good diet is to get vitamins and nutrients but at the same time, EAT FOODS THAT MAKE YOU FEEL SATISFIED.

Yes, you can drink chocolate milk, yes you can eat avocados, yes you can have macaroni and cheese but will the portion size of those things fill you up like a side of green beans or carrots? NO!

The point is people often struggle dealing with hunger (myself) and telling them to eat less of a good tasting (or good for you item that can be substituted like avocados) in my honest opinion is terrible advice! You want them to eat foods that have less calories but help them feel full...which I dont see avocados doing for the calories it possesses.

You do seem to have a fair bit to learn about nutrition. Saturated fat is really the main thing to avoid. And strawberries are not a high calorie food at all. If you're in college you might think about throwing a nutrition class in there. And just as an fyi, some people have put on weight because they under-ate for years without realizing it, and slowed their metabolism as a result.

Also, quoting posts is good when you're replying to a specific comment.

I feel the same way you do. I really think that is why I down loaded the MFP app to my phone .. when I can't sit and log log log.. I scan scan scan.. Being a mother of 4 kids and running all day I can't really sit up and pick over what I eat. Trust me it will pay off but yes some days I feel like THIS SUCKS!! You are worth it ! keep up the good work!!

One thing I always think about before I begin a new diet is whether or not I should track calories to make sure I am eating a certain limit. But by the 2nd or third day, I become so annoyed and can't stand to do it anymore.

Would anyone else agree with me that tracking calories can be a diet killer by frustrating you? Most people have enough to worry about already. The way I go about it is I just know what a decent portion is and I know what is much less than what I use to eat, so I eat that amount. I think calorie counting is a way that people psych themselves out of staying on a diet because its one more hassle weighing and measuring food makes it even worse.

Anyone agree or disagree?

I don't agree at all that tracking calories is a diet killer. In fact, it helps me stick to my diet by realizing what I'm eating and it makes me stay within my calorie zone. Without counting my calories, I would never stay on my diet. It's a huge motivator to see what I've eaten for the day, what I did good and what I could change. If your not counting calories, and can realize how much you need to eat and what, and are still losing weight, then that's great. Do what works best for YOU. But I do believe that if you kept track, it would give you a better idea of what you need to fix. This isn't JUST about weight loss, it's about being healthy.