I follow a carb-conscious exchange plan, and I try to make most of my food choices compatible with Primal Blueprint (the book) principles (mostly whole, "pre-agriculture" foods).
All of the foods within each exchange category are all about the same calories, So it is calorie-controlled, and more of a short-cut to calorie counting than entirely separate from it.
I like exchange plans though because it reinforces more balance, and I"m able to remember more exchange counts than calorie counts (but I've also been following exchange plans for more than 35 years, so I find it easiest to translate anything I learn into an exchange plan).
I am drinking a drink before each meal that my doctor sells. It is called Slim. It is full of B-12 and it is a watery consistency when you drink it but it gels up and is supposed to make you feel full so you eat less- and a whole bunch of other stuff. But I also count calories (1200) and exercise like I am in boot camp~!
Have you tried Weight Watchers?
You don't have to count calories. Instead you have a number of points you can eat each day and there are books that tell you exactly how many points each food/product (even specific brands) have.
Realistically, I think all plans will require some form of keeping track of something - be it calories, points, fat, carbs, etc. It's just a matter of finding one that works for you, but there is help for all of them.
For example, I found an amazing website that tells you exactly how many calories a food/product has: You put in the amount you've eaten and it will tell you calories, fat and even WW points. Only problem: It's in German . I'm sure there's an equivalent in English somewhere....
I do the Atkins (low carb) But I also use portion control and keep my calories under 1500, ususally in the 1300 range. It is a high fat, protien based WOE. Carbs ARE allowed, you just have to eat the good ones . I also walk at least 2 miles per day, weekends are more. I use light weights every other day. I keep a food and activity journal as well.
I have lost 40 lbs since July 26, 2010
Hope this is helpful to you
Judy
Last edited by islandchick1; 10-04-2010 at 04:36 PM.
I've been taking a go at eating intuitively and have been for the last -20lbs or so. I eat when I'm hungry, eat slowly, and stop when I sense I'm full.
However, I also try to eat as much veggies and other fresh foods as possible. I avoid most processed foods and allow myself to have dessert if I want it; I just keep it under control and fill up at dinner on good foods.
It's been (I feel like) a slow process, but I also consider it reteaching myself how to eat so that when I finally obtain my goal, I will not have a sense that I'm planning my life around food.
In the end, even if you don't specifically count... you HAVE to have a good understanding of what a calorie, gram of fat, gram of protein ETC looks like.
I don't weigh/count anymore but I do estimate based on years of doing this. I eat a whole foods diet with a majority of my calories in the protein/fat category. It works much better than flat out calorie counting ever did .
I don't calorie count...did it for years...but tried to do without it this time. I have done good so far, I also try to eat intuitively. I follow South Beach. I eat tons of veggies, lean proteins, nuts, beans. I think I will have to eventually start calorie counting, but for now eating whole, healthier foods in moderation seems to be doing it.
With my calorie counting I don't differentiate carbs and fat- I just count calories and aim for 1200. I am off most carbs though: no pasta, bread, rice, potatoes or sugar. I guess I get a bit of sugar- I eat fruits and my peanut butter has a bit of sugar, yogurt I have sometimes has sugar... when I say sugar I means sweets.
I calorie count.. have lost about 10 pounds (gained 2 thanks to TOM!) in three weeks with a count of 1600-1800 a day. I use loseit!, which is an app for the iPhone.
Theoretically I can eat whatever i want as long as it falls into my calorie count for the day. Realistically what it looks like is a modified South Beach diet, so emphasis is on protein and healthy fats and my grains are typically only in the form of whole wheat bread, because i am a hardcore sandwich junkie. I sometimes also have ww pasta if i need something filling. But the idea is to keep myself full and not on the sugar rollercoaster of refined carbs.
I calorie count (guesstimate, really) and try to make sure I eat fruit and vegetables as much as possible. Pretty much just what my mom has been bugging me to do for years, "eat less move more."
It's worked. I've lost 22 lbs since March, with a couple months of plateauing and an unfortunate 5-lbs gainback when I went to America for 2 weeks.
I am a huge fan of WW and they help you a lot to figure things out at first, especially if u r willing to attend local meetings. Points are very easy once you figure them out. I've lost 125 lbs in around 2 years so far.
Anybody do something other than calorie count?
. I'm sure there's an equivalent in English somewhere....
. I also walk at least 2 miles per day, weekends are more. I use light weights every other day. I keep a food and activity journal as well.
