Tracking Calories...a diet killer

Honestly, if somebody is overweight (barring medical issues) -- not paying close attention to portion sizes, nutrition info and activity level is PROBABLY how they got there.

I've counted calories consistently for 8 years. It's a lifestyle -- not a diet.

For me, it wasn't portion sizes per se...It was just a lot of alcohol. I have been physically fit the past 3 years but turning 21 has been a nightmare for me (+college)

I lost an inital 25lbs and kept it off for 3 years because I changed what I liked to eat. I eventally (honestly) was disgusted by McDonalds, Taco Bell, ice cream. I was an obsessive exerciser until I tore both the tendons in my arm, I didn't do this form work out I did it from playing basketball incorrectly (bad shooting form after working out = bad idea) but not my body/mind has gone back to the cravings of McD's and what not. Personally, I know once I can get this off and cut out the booze that I probably won't need to worry about the total calories as much as knowing what I should stay away from.

If you wouldn't be overweight if you didn't drink, your issue isn't with food -- is it? Honestly, if you were consuming so much alcohol that it prevents you from losing weight or cause you to be overweight, maybe your weight was just a symptom of alcoholism. I'm not saying that to be rude, but most people who aren't struggling with their weight because of a specific medical issue are usually over/underweight because of a unhealthy relationship with food itself and that is why they NEED to track to have success.

It's great that you made certain changes and weight just fell off of you. As you age, that will likely slow. As somebody who has maintained weight loss for closer to a decade, it forces me to be be aware -- without necessarily being restrictive -- which isn't something I can live with long term.

Honestly, if somebody is overweight (barring medical issues) -- not paying close attention to portion sizes, nutrition info and activity level is PROBABLY how they got there.

I've counted calories consistently for 8 years. It's a lifestyle -- not a diet.

For me, it wasn't portion sizes per se...It was just a lot of alcohol. I have been physically fit the past 3 years but turning 21 has been a nightmare for me (+college)

I lost an inital 25lbs and kept it off for 3 years because I changed what I liked to eat. I eventally (honestly) was disgusted by McDonalds, Taco Bell, ice cream. I was an obsessive exerciser until I tore both the tendons in my arm, I didn't do this form work out I did it from playing basketball incorrectly (bad shooting form after working out = bad idea) but not my body/mind has gone back to the cravings of McD's and what not. Personally, I know once I can get this off and cut out the booze that I probably won't need to worry about the total calories as much as knowing what I should stay away from.

If you wouldn't be overweight if you didn't drink, your issue isn't with food -- is it? Honestly, if you were consuming so much alcohol that it prevents you from losing weight or cause you to be overweight, maybe your weight was just a symptom of alcoholism. I'm not saying that to be rude, but most people who aren't struggling with their weight because of a specific medical issue are usually over/underweight because of a unhealthy relationship with food itself and that is why they NEED to track to have success.

It's great that you made certain changes and weight just fell off of you. As you age, that will likely slow. As somebody who has maintained weight loss for closer to a decade, it forces me to be be aware -- without necessarily being restrictive -- which isn't something I can live with long term.

Well the issue with alcohol is...it impaired my judgement..

So what happens (being a light weight or use to) I would drink and make the decision for another, then another, etc.

Afterwards (and around 1000 calories or so later) people would be like "lets order a pizza or have some drive us to taco bell" then you can add another 1000 calories on there + 2000 I ate already for my real meals...so that was the issue and once this started effecting my normal non-drunk mind is when things became bad.

But alcohol abuse was the main factor for me this time.

Yeah, what I am saying to you is, tracking food calories isn't really a treatment for alcoholism -- it's a tool for people who have unhealthy issues with FOOD. Maybe if you had to stop and take time to write down what you are drinking, you'd drink less and consequently make better food choices. That's kind of how it works for people having success losing and maintaining weight by keeping a food journal.

I eat what I eat and eye ball it. If I go over oh well. It isn't like I am going over by eating 5 candy bars and pizza. I go over usually eating healthy stuff. Like a lot of people said it is a lifestyle change. Obsessing or worrying about calories is actually not healthy. But I don't think you are doing that, as you said it is more frustrating. I eat right and exercise and call it good.