[lunarsongbird]

I don't think I've really ever counted calories. The only other time I lost weight I was on WW, so I counted points.

Is there anyone that isn't calorie counting? My current plan doesn't require calorie counting or points. I avoid all things processed and I eat until I'm full, which doesn't take too much. However, I wonder if I'm going to get to a point where my weight loss stalls and I will have to start doing some calorie math to make the pounds start moving.

What has your experience been with calorie counting? Is it fun? A bit overwhelming? Less overwhelming with the inventions of smart phones?

[elvislover324]

I'm on a medically supervised diet but I still calorie count. Once I am at my goal weight, I will transition back to eating like a normal person (fruits, veggies, protein, grains, little to no processed foods).

I took a long hard look at what I was eating before and what I am eating now. Granted, my calories are already figured out for me now and as long as I stay on plan, I will continue to lose weight every week. But part of my nutrition plan with my doctor is to learn how to eat normally once I get to my goal weight. If I don't calorie count, I don't know how I'd ever do it. It's actually pretty easy on my phone with myfitnesspal.com. My husband uses it now too.

The only thing I am shocked about is that I don't need the 4000 (more or less) that I was eating a few days a week. It makes me sick to think about it now. I don't even remember eating it, it was just a habit. A bad, sad habit.

[CherryQuinn]

its just counting. it takes 20 secs or less a meal and ive lost 120lbs doing it. thats my experience lol

[Elladorine]

I've lost 135 pounds by not counting calories. But to be fair, I do try to stay "calorie aware," meaning that I still check labels and look up menu items for restaurants. I don't want to accidentally eat a 1000+ calorie meal, lol.

At this stage of my journey, I just avoid added sugar, watch my portion sizes (I don't even measure), write down everything I eat, and try to use some common sense. I have issues with anxieties so the less I obsess over numbers, the better.

Of course, everyone's a little different. It took a long time to figure out what works best for me. This is something I can see myself doing for life.

[Tai]

My experience has been very good with calorie counting. I lost all my weight with it and have been maintaining with it as well. I'm a very low tech calorie counter and just use pen and paper but I would think the websites and apps available would simplify things.

There are plenty of people who lose without calorie counting; it just comes down to trial and error and finding what works for you.

I would love to be able to eat until I'm full, but I think my full switch is broken!

[April Snow]

I'm doing a low carb plan now, so I'm not counting calories - although the reality is that low carb plans are usually low calorie, too. I just personally find it relatively easy to stick with low carb because I have more energy and I get less hungry than if I were eating an equivalent number of calories which included more starches.

But I have successfully lost weight on calorie counting too. I think for some people, it gets a little tedious over time because you have to keep closer track of what and how much you eat. However, for many people, the ability to eat a very wide variety of foods is what helps them stay on track - and really, nothing is off limit when you count calories, you just have to plan properly and watch your portions.

And despite what the promoters of all the different types of diets claim, I personally think that almost any diet works, as long as you stick with it. So I think it's mostly about finding the one that personally feels easiest to stick to!

[CherryQuinn]

as long as whatever youre doing works for you, but if it isn't, calorie counting isn't scary or hard and works for many people. its simple, fast, organized and relatively guess free. Theres not much 'oh I hope this works' with calorie counting once you're at a calorie range that leaves you in a deficit. Thats why I like it and why its worked for me. Most organized diet plans like ww work on a calorie deficit system you just dont see it its in the form of points or some other thing. some people have just winged it and thats brilliant to be able to just use common sense and guesstimate and have it work out but most people need some guildlines like myself

[bargoo]

I am a calorie counter, too. I like it because it is flexible and I still use it in maintenance. Among the other things that have been said about calorie counting that is a definite plus. It is FREE !!!!

[betsy2013]

I'm a calorie counter but only because my idea of a portion size and what the actual portion size should be are miles apart. By measuring and weighing and calculating, I can see the impact of having a smaller or larger portion. I need to, but as many have said, it's whatever works for you!

[Pacifica Bee]

I'm another that pro-calorie counting. For me, it helps me keep in touch with reality. I took a year off of counting, and I soon forgot that such a tiny amount of <insert something yummy here> is THAT many calories. It is actually pretty mind-blowing that I thought I was eating small healthy portions for a year, but ended up gaining 31 pounds even with no sugar and no flour in my diet at all.

Yes, it can be a burden. Once you get into the swing of it though, you can start taking shortcuts that make it easier (for example, I have the same breakfast every day for a couple of weeks, so I never have to count breakfast calories after the first day since I know how much it is). You get used to it and when you see the scale going down continually, you will realize how worth it counting is.

[hayem]

I have just recently started to use a calorie counter app, and it is making a big difference for me, mostly mentally which makes me so much more aware of what i'm eating, by using the counter I'm using it makes me record everything and when I look back at my day I can see where I strayed ( 3 beers ugh ugh), verses when I really am doing well.

[sontaikle]

You know, when I was first starting to research weight loss and finding success stories, I would find people who had cut out certain foods, etc. and decide: "well I am not losing weight because I refuse to give up x." The idea of a restrictive diet turned me off completely.

I totally love that I can have whatever the **** I want and maintain my weight loss. The fact that I have no restrictions doesn't leave me feeling deprived!

Now, upon learning calorie counts of the foods I eat, there are MORE than a few I simply don't eat any more. I've become one of those people that cut out (or drastically reduced) certain foods without really planning to.

[Lyn2007]

I counted calories for most of the first part of my weight loss. I dropped 64 pounds doing that plus exercise. I loved it for the most part. I started around 1800 cal/day and eventually was down around 1500 with daily exercise and not losing at all (around 215 pounds). After an almost 2 year plateau/partial regain while still mainly counting calories, I switched to Medifast and dropped another good chunk of weight. When I got sick of Medifast I tried low carbing with calorie counting and regained a bit and stalled out again.

I have found that I am too hungry and cave to cravings when I calorie count now if I don't pay attention to carbs, so I have to count those as well. But right now I am back on Medifast because the counting is pretty much done FOR me when I stay on plan, and that is easier.

I intend to switch to Primal/Paleo eating when I reach goal. I hope I don't have to count calories then, but will if I have to.

[Trazey34]

Calorie counter here, lost 160 lbs. that way. Only had to do it the first month or so, and then a few times a year after that to be sure I was on track.

I had NO IDEA what a portion size was, it was a real eye-opener!!

I wasn't someone who completely changed everything I ate -- I like some foods that aren't great for me, but I knew I couldn't say "I'm NEVER eating xyz again!!" or I'd just want it more lol With calorie counting, I can have whatever I want as long as I"m willing to 'spend' the calories on it!

[Garnet2727]

When it comes to food, I don't have an off switch. So counting calories and points helps me to eat reasonably.