[HappiestMe]

How many of you track calories daily? I know it helps, but hate doing it, and I don't want to do it for the rest of my life. I've also upped my water but I'd like to know any other tips you have for me. I'm working out hard 5 times a week and want to make it count! Thanks!

[Brandis]

I am a calorie counter, and I find it helps to keep myself accountable. It also makes me realize I am on a budget, and it helps me to see if I am going over or not eating enough, and why I might be hungry, tired, bloated, whatever. I use fitday, so it shows nutrient count and my weight goal is there too.

[Spinach]

I'm a calorie counter.
You may not have to count calories forever... just until you get a handle on what you're eating. Personally I like to use a tracker to make sure I realize I'm making good or bad choices.

[electrongirl]

I track points (Weight Watchers) and I have come to terms that if I want to be thin for life then I have to track for life.

It's a small price to pay for being thin and healthy and happy.

[era28]

I am calorie counting as well. I track my calories through myfitnesspal, which has been working nice because you can look up any type of food and they usually have it. I like it so far, everytime after I eat I immediately track. It has also helped me realize how many calories are in things and what to stay away from.

[jojoland]

Hi, HappiestMe- food tracker here! I just started last week using choosemyplate.gov and I really like it. The site has nutrition, food group, and calorie info along with a physical activity tracker, a place for journaling and a place to set goals and track your weight. I agree with those who said that it keeps me accountable, and is very helpful when it comes to planning. Like I said, I enjoy it, so it doesn't bother me to think about doing it indefinitely, but if you don't like it, I imagine you would get the hang of it after a few months, and you wouldn't have to track religiously anymore. It does keep me honest, though...it's a lot more satisfying to write, "spinach salad" than, say, "chalupa grande"

[seagirl]

Tracker here: I use sparkpeople and can track on my computer or phone. In the morning when I'm having my coffee I track my breakfast and pre-track my lunch. That gives me an idea of what I'll have for dinner, and helps me make sure I'm eating enough at B & L. When I get home, I'll plan dinner, plug the foods in as I go, and then I'm set.

I think of it like keeping track of the money in my bank account. I have to do that for the rest of my life since I'm not so rich (or so naturally thin) that I can just spend willy nilly (or eat it either.)

[Thistleberry]

I too track daily. It's the only way to know. Why put in so much effort only to mess up because you consistently have an extra orange and too much peanut butter and that's enough to keep you from creating a decent defecit, you know? It's too easy to misjudge when you don't count in some way, whether it's calories or points or what have you.

Maybe when I'm in maintenence I'll be able to afford to be a little more lax on this front. I don't know. Having never been there it's hard to say. But for now it seems silly to keep that information from myself when it's so easy to figure out.

I started out just jotting things down on a scrap piece of paper. Now I use fitday. It's super easy. Most of the websites are.
Good luck finding what works for you!

[Munchy]

I track too - I don't usually track on weekends, but I keep a mental count. During the week, I always write it all down. Since I plan ahead and pack my foods for the work day, it doesn't really take me much time at all.

B: Bagel thin (100), 1oz turkey (30), ½ oz goat cheese (40), egg white (17), basil, spinach (5) = 192
S: Orange = 60
L: Carrot peanut soup (159) = 159
S: Cherry tomatoes, baby carrots w/hummus = 200
D: 4oz tilapia (100), 1 cup brown rice (200), spinach, peppers, onion mix (50) = 350
S: 1 cup edamame (120) = 120
TOTAL: 1081

B: Bread round (100), 1oz turkey (30), swiss (80), 1T oo mayo (45), mustard (5) = 260
S: Small peach = 35
L: Spicy tomato soup (118) = 118
S: Baby carrots w/hummus = 200
D: ¾ cup white rice (150), 1 cup PR style beans (200) = 350
S: Iced coffee w/agave (30), T 1% milk (5), 1oz shelled pistachios (160) = 195
TOTAL: 1158

[electrongirl]

I just want to add. I thought when I got to goal I didn't have to be as diligent.

I was wrong. I am now about 4lb over my goal weight.

If you want to keep the weight off for life, you have to work at it for life.

[Litenarfin]

I track.

I used to hate it, but now I don't mind in the slightest. I realised I only disliked doing it because I wanted to eat more than I should. Go figure.

I use fatsecret, it rocks.

[HappiestMe]

Thanks guys. Now I'm using myfitnesspal which is good. I just miss eating care free, but I guess that's how I got here. Lol

[mccull83]

Originally Posted by HappiestMe

How many of you track calories daily? I know it helps, but hate doing it, and I don't want to do it for the rest of my life. I've also upped my water but I'd like to know any other tips you have for me. I'm working out hard 5 times a week and want to make it count! Thanks!

I HATE always having to keep track of what's gone in my mouth! I obsess over it and keep counting because "maybe I forgot to add in what I just ate", etc.

To solve this: I've made several flash cards, each with a days worth of food that I really like and the calories each one is (so the total on the card equals what I should eat that day). Each morning I pick a flashcard of what foods sounds good, and then if I slip up and have something I wasn't planning on, or if someone brings a snack that I REALLY like to work, all i have to do is refer back to the flash card and figure out which thing I want to switch out for it.

Hope this helps!

[Aunrio]

I have been tracking about 10 months now with no plans to stop. I find regularity in what I eat and caloric amounts. I could probably stop but I am afraid that a year and 10-20 pounds from now I will wonder what happened.

[wiredkell]

I am a calorie counter I'm using the Bodybugg and I find it the easiest way to learn how much I'm eating compared to how much I'm burning (deficit). It definitely makes me accountable.