What do you like best about Calorie counting?
 

Curious to see why people chose to this vs. doing a program like WW or food delivery?

I can eat whatever I want!

For me, it is the ONLY thing that sets my portion limits and holds me accountable. Without it - I'd keep eating and eating and eating......... My intuitive eating button is completely defective. I need something to tell me -STOP, you can't eat anymore - food allotment is up. It polices me, so to speak.

That coupled with the fact that I can make room for , budget for, anything that I want, once in awhile. Nothing is off limits to me.

Also - it's inexpensive, I can do it anywhere, it's easy to do and is something that I can do forever.

I was going to say that I can eat what I want and I don't have to spend an arm and a leg!!!

Nothing being off limits was what I liked about starting to do calorie counting. I had been doing WW, but it's expensive and i feel like I can do this and it's almost no cost, especially without having to buy special foods.

I joined mydailyplate and it actually said I needed more calories then I was eating with WW.

I don't do well with too much structure...if I tried to follow some kind of plan that had a set menu, chances are I'd just rebel. Calorie counting means I can do my own thing with boundaries.

I went with calorie counting because I remembered what I was taught in college way back in the seventies. There was a health course required for graduation and the concept of calories in and calories out was pounded into my head. Granted, I couldn't remember how many calories I should eat. :o I see times have changed with low carb, low fat, good carb, bad carb, good fat, bad fat, etc. and that confuses me, :?: so I just keep it simple. As time goes on and I learn more, I'll tweak things.

I went with calorie counting because I like knowing that I can pretty much work anything in if I want it badly enough. I rarely bother, but I don't feel like I can't have a specific food (thus wanting it more). I like to cook and I don't think even if I could afford to do a high end food delivery program that I'd like it. I'd most likely be thinking 'I would have done....'.

You may find differences between what WW allows and calorie counting. I've never done WW but I understand that some things are not counted (? veggies), and points are only approximate ranges with fiber sometimes lowering the value. If you feel that mydailyplate number is way off then pick a number in between and try it for a couple of weeks. Even though I eat a fair bit (compared to most) I've found most online calculators are way off once you start adding in exercise.

Flexibility! I am the mistress of my own domain. I am not restricted to any group of foods. I can have just about anything I want as long as I remain within my allotted calorie amount. And, when I do have a meal or a day where I do blow it out, no harm done. I just get back on track the next meal or day and all is well.

Plans like WW, JC, NS, food delivery are just out of my budget. I can buy fresh foods at the store and prepare my own healthy meals at a fraction of the cost. As far as meetings and support are concerned, that is nice, but I feel I get the same thing, here. :D

Similar to everyone else. If it was a lifestyle change that I was going to make - it had to be a plan that I could do forever. I don't do well with deprivation - horribly actually. I needed a plan that would
1. let me eat real food that I enjoyed
2. allow me to eat foods that I craved
3. teach me what healthy eating looks like
4. not let me cheat (so many plans have a lot of "wiggle room"
5. could work for a vegetarian that already loved eating healthy foods - just way too much of them

Calorie counting is the only thing that fit all of my criteria. I can do it anywhere, anytime, and - it works.

Flexible, reliable and free!

I don't like the idea of paying for a program for someone to tell me what to eat or for special foods. I like the flexibility of being able to choose from a variety of foods.

i second third fourth fifth etc. the fact that i can eat what i want in a controlled amount. That and i know what i'm getting myself into so i can work treats into my day without panic! LOVE dailyplate!!

I agree with everyone else. I don't think any food should be completely off limits. Calorie counting makes that possible. Eat what you want, within moderation and work out to make all your dreams a reality! :)

Bingo.

Any plan that required me to give up a certain food for a period of time, or required me to eat a lot of a certain food for a period of time, or required me to buy my food or supplements for a period of time ... wasn't going to work.

One, the minute you tell me I can't have something ... I want it.
The minute you tell me I must eat something ... I won't.

I needed a way of eating that was sustainable and that *I* had control over. With calorie counting I can eat whatever I want. I'm don't get panicky about going to a restaurant or a party because they won't have my special food there. I can adapt my eating to any situation and still be "on plan".

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