I am new to counting calories and was hoping to get some advice. My first question is how do you keep track? Online? What is the best online program? Does it include fast food?
My second question is related to planning. How do you plan your meals? When? What happens when you don't seem to have time to plan?
I plan to read the sticky at the top of the thread, but was hoping to get some initial advice. Any other tips for a newbie would be appreciated.
Now, so you know where I am coming from, here is a bit about me. I am a lifetime WW member, but have gained all of the weight back when I quit keeping track of my eating. I have tried to restart WW a number of times during the past year, but have not been able to get refocused with it. I think it's because I knew the program so well that I didn't spend the time I should have planning, etc.
I decided that I needed to try something different, so I went with the very basics of weight loss. Calories IN < Calories OUT. I also need to start making exercise a regular part of my day. I loved running, but get the worst shin splints - I thought orthodics would fix this problem but it hasn't. I have an elliptical at home that is a great workout.
Fitday and The Daily Plate are both good online places to track your calories and used by many 3FC. The Daily Plate has more prepared/fast foods in their database. You can add foods to both programs, but it is time consuming in the beginning. I have also used Diet Diary for my Palm PDA - which has an extensive database.
Planning really is the key, and the answer to your question is - it depends. I usually spend some time on the weekend planning "generally" what the week will look like and make my grocery list. I usually plan full menus a day in advance, but - if life gets hectic, that can be problematic.
Once you get rolling, you will develop some "go to" menus/foods that you can use without really having to plan if you get too busy.
Last edited by CountingDown; 07-12-2008 at 11:56 AM.
HI and welcome!
counting calories with a date book is what works for me. Once every few weeks i record a day or two online with the dailyplate. It helps me keep track of my %. I write down every bite i take!!
Planning is key for me!! I was not a breakfast eater and I know i cant lose if i dont eat breakfast. I plan my meals the night before.The next morning i lay out whatever meat is for dinner to thraw.
Be sure and drink your water!! I know it helps me!!!
I am a calorie counter and it works perfectly for me... I don't feel deprived as I have what I like as long as I have the calories to spend! I find myself making healthier choices though to stretch my calorie budget.
I use to rely solely on The Daily Plate, but I now use:
weightlossresources.co.uk
They do have an American site to I think...
The support there is amazing, the database is outstanding and the help team answer most queries within an hour.
Wherever you choose to track your cals, stay close to this site as its fantastic for motivation...there is always someone feeling just how you are!
I am not new to 3FC but new to calorie counting. I too am a Lifetime Member of WW, in fact I used to work for them. When I quit being an employee, the weight slowly crept back on, I got lazy with exercise, didn't write anything down and VOILA! I'm back to square one. It sucks, doesn't it? (btw, I lost 65 lbs to reach my goal.)
I have tried and tried to go back to Points and the meetings, but I just can't seem to get motivated. I think it's called BURNOUT. I needed a new way of tracking and a new perspective. WW is so expensive and this is FREE.
I wish you the best, Bobby18. Maybe we can compare notes along the way.
I use a notebook, pen, and the Calorie King book that I got at Target for 6 bucks. This way I have it with me always. Although the internet can be faster to look up nutrition, the C.K has all forts of foods inclunding Chinese, fair food, and fast food. It's great for on the go!
I started keping track with an excel spreadsheet, but I use Fitday.com now. It's a bit time consuming to start with it, but once you have your main foods in there (I tend to add things as custom foods) it actually goes pretty quick to log.
The way I do this is to keep a handwritten record of everything I eat. I look up the calories in a book. It is a good one, has a lot of restaurant and fast food counts, too. (I think I want the more updated version, tho.) I make sure that I keep low calorie and healthy foods on hand around the house at all times so that I can make a meal that I know will fit in my plan. I don't plan, I am terrible at it, so I fly by the seat of my pants. I have a good idea of the calorie counts of many foods, so it isn't hard to put together good meals.
I write down and calculate the calories for every morsel that passes my lips. I don't write down no-cal drinks, but I do track things like my daily latte and Crystal Light. (That stuff, at five calories for eight ounces can really sneak up and add up, fast! )
Calorie counting really isn't difficult and it gets easier as you go. In fact, it becomes habit, after a bit. You will settle into your own routine, using an online or written food journal and making and planning meals that work for your own plan.
I use the pen and tablet method. I can use it without being on line.
It's just a matter of personal choice which method to use. It takes me about 5 minutes to plan my meals for the following day. I use Calorie King to look up calorie counts. It is a great book that includes fast food, restaurants, ethnic food and loads of other info. The book is small enough to carry in your purse, but not so small that you will lose it.
Thanks for all of the replies - it is really appreciated. I started an excel spreadsheet today where I will start adding the calories, etc. information for all of the foods I eat. I think this is going to work best for me as I am at a computer most of the day. I do have the Calorie King book that I will try to carry with me.
Pat - it sounds like you and I are pretty much in the same place right now. Please feel free to PM me. It would be really nice to have a buddy.
I also am a former WW member and recently started doing basic calorie counting. I had lost weight before with WW and went back after my first was born and went back after my second. I think I also reached burnout and wanted something different.
It's way cheaper and I don't feel like i have to buy special food. I just use a journal and pen and i use the internet to look up whatever I need to!
I think that's what a weight loss journey is about, changing or tweaking things to get the most success.
Hi and Welcome - I use DietPower to track my calories but I am aslo a member of CalorieKing.
As for planning meals. I eat much of the same stuff (give or take) so planning my meals is basically done for me during grocery shopping.
Here is typical for me - Breakfast (Cereal and Fruit), lunch (Spinach Salad) and dinner (turkey/salmon/shrimp and veggies). I keep nuts and fruits around for snacking and ice cream for dessert.
New to Counting Calories
to Calorie Counters to all the newbies!!
Welcome to Calorie Counters. 
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