Counting ONLY calories
 

Can you be successful in counting ONLY calories and not worrying about the carbs, fat, protein, fiber, sodium etc?

Originally Posted by HadEnough:
Can you be successful in counting ONLY calories and not worrying about the carbs, fat, protein, fiber, sodium etc?

In one word - NO.


In a few more ;), I personally could not be successful ONLY counting my calories. Where my calories come from MATTER. A LOT. I can't stay within my calorie budget eating garbage and lose weight. I couldn't STICK to anything for any length of time if I weren't eating "good, clean" foods. And if I can't stick to it, then I can't be successful. I count calories, but make them good, nutritious SATISFYING ones. Ones that keep me full the longest - protein and tons of fiber. Ones that don't leave me with cravings. So, what I don't eat, foods that leave me wanting more of it, that I have little control with (sugar, flour, rice, pasta, etc.) is just as important as what I DO eat. I also need to eat lots of volume - think vegetables. I need to stretch my calories. I choose them very wisely. I couldn't do any of that by *just* counting my calories. Nuh-uh. No way.

I think a lot of people that start out only counting calories eventually start looking at macros out of necessity. When you are trying to fit in Big Macs or ice cream and such into your day, and you realize how much of your daily allotment comes from that, you start saying "How can I best maximize my calories to keep me satisfied all day?"

When you track on a site like fitday or daily plate, you also will just notice where the majority of your calories come from because of how the sites are designed.
You can look at a day where you were super hungry and see that maybe that day you ate a lot of 100 calorie snack packs, or 80% carbs. Or take a day where you were satisfied and see lots of fiber, healthy fats and veggies. When you track food properly, you begin to notice this and how it affects you.

When you are first starting, sometimes just counting the calories is all you can manage to get started -- and that's fine -- but to truly understand your body and weight loss, the macros are important.

I do count calories but do consider where they come from. I could eat 1200 calories of jelly beans and be within my calorie allowance, but I shudder to think what that would do to my body.

I agree with fiberlover--people often start out only counting calories, but later on want to see what else is going on. For instance, after a few months I was feeling really tired and worn out, and folks on 3FC said maybe I should look at my protein intake. Sure enough, I was rather low, considering I was exercising 5-6 days a week.

So if you're just starting out, I'd say don't worry too much for now. Try to get into a healthy range for weight loss.

Jay

I agree that you can lose weight by counting calories alone BUT where those calories come from will determine how hungry or satisfied you feel. When I started out, it was such a daunthing task that all I could manage was counting calories. I was (and still am) tracking on fitday and this really helped me realize where my calories were coming from. 100 calorie packs and jelly beans calories add up fast with minimal nutritional value and will leave you still hungry.

I'd say start with counting and tracking your calories on fitday or dailyplate. Over time you will see where your calories are coming from and can adjust accordingly.

Good Luck!!

Yes, you can be successful but you will discover in short order, if you are staying true to calorie counting--to find the most "bang for your buck" for the calories. For instance, if you are eating one package of onion rings and a coke for lunch, you will be hungry an hour later. If instead you opted for a Subway Salad with a yogurt for the same amount of calories, you will be okay until dinner.

There has also been discussion here that not all calories are created equal. I agree with this 100%. Calories from different foods react differently in your body depending on the components of the food itself.

I started out by focusing on calories only. As time went on I became curious - I noted that I felt satisfied on some days, ravenous on others - lost more some weeks, gained in others. I began inspecting my macronutrient ratios and discovered that by playing with that as well that I could optimize my general feeling of well being and weight loss.

Of course, I needed to master the art of calorie counting first. I didn't start off knowing much and likely would have overwhelmed myself trying to do everything at once. It took time and experimenting.

YMMV

For me, I knew right off the bat that counting calories alone would not be sufficient enough. Like an alcoholic who goes cold turkey, I knew that I needed to remove the offending foods from my life, at least initially. I knew it couldn't work any other way. I do know that is not for everyone though. I also knew right off the bat that I could never allow myself to get hungry and I knew I needed the volume. I actually researched and found out what foods would best help me to meet those needs. Hence, the proteins and fiber and veggies and the such.

I will say that my eating most certainly did evolve and improve as I went along. I kept learning along the way. Finding what worked - and what didn't. In fact, I'm still learning.

I was never concerned with percentages though. I pretty much knew that by doing all the above things, that the percentages would fall into place.

I am one of those who is just learning (or re learning I should say) that what all these smart chicks are saying is true.

I have been a calorie counter for a while now, and have always felt “good” about staying (for the most part) in my calorie range. And in doing so, I have lost weight – BUT the thing is that I don’t feel good. I always feel bloated, and tired, my energy level is non-existent. I get stressed and anxious easily. I don’t sleep well. My hair and skin don’t look good. My levels of concentration are so low… I am not a healthy person. And I know the reason for that is not because I am going over my daily calories… the reason is because of the foods (and the empty calories) I am eating.

I have been an on again off again dieter most of my life. I KNOW what needs to be done in order to lose weight and be healthy… but for some reason I let myself ignore the facts, the truths about how to live a healthy lifestyle, and convinced myself that because I was eating the right amount of calories and losing weight that I was doing well... I wasn’t letting myself see that the foods I was eating were not what my body needs to be strong, and healthy, and active. It is a struggle changing what I eat (again) but I am determined to do this right this time.

The bottom line is that it is not just about calories; it is about making the right choices in the foods you eat.

Originally Posted by rockinrobin:
For me, I knew right off the bat that counting calories alone would not be sufficient enough. Like an alcoholic who goes cold turkey, I knew that I needed to remove the offending foods from my life, at least initially. I knew it couldn't work any other way. I do know that is not for everyone though. I also knew right off the bat that I could never allow myself to get hungry and I knew I needed the volume. I actually researched and found out what foods would best help me to meet those needs. Hence, the proteins and fiber and veggies and the such.

I will say that my eating most certainly did evolve and improve as I went along. I kept learning along the way. Finding what worked - and what didn't. In fact, I'm still learning.

I was never concerned with percentages though. I pretty much knew that by doing all the above things, that the percentages would fall into place.

I agree. I immediately removed what I knew were 'problem' foods for me. The obvious: candy, chips, fast food - you get the idea. It had to be cut out cold turkey for me as well at first - or I wouldn't have been able to continue.

Where we differ was that I had no understanding of the concept of Volumetrics or the idea that plenty of lean protein and good fat would result in satiation. I had a basic understanding of nutrition and as time went on I educated myself much more thoroughly.

I remember reading quite a few of your posts (I've mentioned before that YOU inspired me, yes?) and tweaked my eating from there. Thanks for the learns teach!

If you think you'd be overwhelmed by working on more than "just calories," then you certainly can start there, realizing that eventually you're going to be paying closer attention, and taking more things into account. It's sort of like when you learn to play a musical instrument like an organ - you start out only learning to play the melody (with only your left hand) and learn to add in the chords with the right hand a little later on.

The nice part about using Calorie King or similar calorie calculator programs, the macronutrients are figured out for you. Many of them will put the USDA recommendations side by side with your diet for the day (and sometimes you can look at weeks and months also). As a result, you can see where you're exceeding or not meeting the RDA for many nutrients. So if you see that you're eating 3 times the RDA for sodium (just as an example), you might start thinking about reducing your salt intake.

I like to "force" balance onto myself by using an exchange program (not saying anyone else needs or would want to do this). Because all of the exchanges are very close in calories, I've always considered it a form of calorie counting, with the advantage (or disadvantage, depending on your point of view) of providing a bit more structure in ensuring that no food group is neglected - and the disadvantage of being a little less precise. However, I've decided this year that even though I'm using the exchange plan (I use a paper worksheet journal page) that I'm going to be logging my food at the end of the day into my online food log on Spark People. This way, I'll have the advantage of knowing the "exact numbers" for calorie and other nutrient counts. I know that you can do this just with calorie counting alone, but I like the convenience of remembering "2 fruits, 5 vegetables, 2 dairy....."


I'm not at all saying you should or need to do what I'm doing. I'm just saying that you don't have to start worrying about a lot of things now, that you will probably come to care about later.

With that all being said, if you're a huge junk food junkie, it's important to remember that every bit of improvement you can make towards eating healthier, will not only help with weight loss, but with feeling less hungry and feeling better generally, but you don't have to take it all on at once. Just deal with what you're comfortable dealing with, and then think about making it more complicated only when it doesn't seem so complicated anymore.

I agree with the others - you can start there, but sooner or later, you will need to look at what type of calories you are eating.

Luckily, software can do that analysis for you so it isn't hard at all.

For me, I ate way too many carbs and not enough healthy fats and protein. This led to carb binges. By balancing my calories at EVERY meal (and snack), I eliminated my binge behavior. It was hard to add in fats - too many old "tapes" played in my head about low fat diets. But, thankfully, I listened to the wise folk around here, and striking a 40/30/30 balance has proved to be a winning strategy.
:)

Sign my name to what everyone has said above.

You can only count calories, but if you eat (as an example) 1500 calories worth of junk, you'll feel awful - run down, tired, etc. Eventually I suspect most people give up on these diets because they feel so awful and they believe that eating "too little" is what makes them feel so bad. So they then say that they "can't" diet becuase it makes them sick.

If you are going to lose weight and keep it off for life, you HAVE to learn something about nutrition and how to eat healthily within your calorie range. Otherwise, nothing will stick.

.

Originally Posted by FB:

Where we differ was that I had no understanding of the concept of Volumetrics or the idea that plenty of lean protein and good fat would result in satiation. I had a basic understanding of nutrition and as time went on I educated myself much more thoroughly.

Oh believe me, I didn't know oodles when I first started out, but yes, I did know that I would need to limit certain foods and get in plenty of volume, protien and fiber.

I remember reading quite a few of your posts (I've mentioned before that YOU inspired me, yes?) and tweaked my eating from there. Thanks for the learns teach!

It pleases me to no end to know that I have inspired and helped you in anyway. Thank you so much for saying so.

.

I think if by "successful" you mean lose weight then yes.

I had a talk with my sister at Christmas who is a doctor (Internal Medicine) who works with obese patients and she basically told me (DISCLAIMER: This is not official medical advice, see your own doctor. :) )

She basically told me that in the grand scheme of things it comes down to calories. IF you can stick to a restricted calorie diet you will lose weight. It's physically impossible not too. She said they routinely put people on 800 calorie diets.

She also said that even a 300lb person on 800 calories a day diet will primarily lose fat - she said the amount of muscle loss from even a pretty inactive person is actually pretty insignificant.

Now personally I think eating less than 1200 calories a day on average for someone not under specific doctor's care for weight loss is a bad idea because it's hard to make sure you're getting good nutrients and staying healthy. But if your only goal is lose fat you can pretty much do it by only counting calories.

IF you can stick with it.

I think when people say you have to do more than count calories they are referring more to the psychological aspects.

But mathematically/scientifically if you consume fewer calories than you expend you will lose weight. My sis said that lots of people swear they are only eating X calories and not losing weight (and therefore must have some rare disease) and she finds that the culprit is pretty much always underestimating calorie intake. She said no matter what issues your body has (hypothyroid, whatever) if you were admitted to an inpatient hospital and your calories were allocated to you by a doctor you would 100% for sure lose weight by doing nothing but reducing calories.

Whew - hope this makes sense. I'm NOT advocating an 800 calorie diet - she just used that as an example and I think most people would find that too difficult to stick to.

EDIT: What's not taken into account here is that weight is only one part of over all health. In cases where a doctor puts someone on a severe diet it's often because that person needs to lose weight quickly to be safe (for example if a patient needs surgery but really needs to lose weight before the surgery is not considered high risk.) So if you want to feel good, look good, and live a long time it's a combo of nutrients, calorie intake, and exercise. If you just want to lose weight it's pretty much calorie intake/expenditure.

rodeogirl, I DEFINITELY get your point. And even agree with it. But I took OP's original question very literally as in "can YOU, meaning *me* be sucessful by ONLY counting calories.

And *I* could not be. Successful for *me* does not mean to *just* lose the weight. I wanna keep it off too!!!! Oh and be healthy and energetic as well.

But again, I do see the point you are trying to get across. :)

Ah - well in that case the answer for me is...

Hmmm I think it's yes actually. I was all geared up to say no, but really the main thing I do is count calories. Exercise pretty much allows me to up my calorie count. I do other things like try to eat healthier foods and avoid processed foods but really it all comes back to calories in/out for me I think.

Interesting to ponder - I'm going to think about it more. :)

I think the simple answer and the practical answer are very different. Many folks do notice that the number of calories as well as where the calories come from matter. Sometimes a great deal.

Maybe low carb diets can decrease hunger and that's why some people do better on them.

Maybe people tend not to do well on starvation diets, not because they reduce metabolism all that much, but instead because they increase the likelihood of binging.

Maybe eating more healthy foods is generally more effective than eating smaller quantities of mostly junk food for weight loss because healthy foods are more filling. Or maybe because sugar does decrease metabolism and increase cravings.

I'm finding there are few simple answers when it comes to weight loss.

I think it is okay to just count calories. That's what I am doing now and this is first time I have felt like I could actually stick to something. I say that because I now allow myself to eat whatever I am in the mood for without feeling guilty. That being said, I have also just naturally changed the way I eat. I find myself making better decisions and choosing foods that are more filling and will "stick" with me. Ultimately, though, at the end of the day all I look at is calories and nothing else. Yesterday I was spring cleaning and after three hours of vigorous cleaning that burned over 400 calories, I ate a snickers bar. And I felt pretty dang good about it to (before I probably would have eaten three snickers bars). I still ended the day under my calorie allotment and am a full pound lighter this morning.

So yes, I do think you can lose weight and even feel great just counting calories.

Since I've lost 50 lbs. twice in my life, I know that last time I lost the weight faster actually than this time -- by just counting calories...but I ended up anemic with no energy and really bad problems with my skin...oh, and some hair loss. It was lovely. So yes, you can lose weight just counting calories...but at what cost?

This time I counted calories but I watched my macros as well and I actually ate a few hundred more calories a day. I lost slower, didn't feel hungry very much of the time, my skin is beautiful, I just had a physical and I passed with flying colors, and I have so much energy I feel like I might burst most days.

Anyway, that is my two cents worth...:)

I think we see it here all the time - someone starts off just counting calories, which is fine. Then a few weeks in, they post something like "I'm eating 1500 calories and I'm hungry all the time. Is this normal? I don't know how much longer I can do this. Please help!"

And as they post what they're eating, we all offer suggestions: "If you ate this instead of that ... if you got more protein ... if you changed the small nutrigrain bar for a whole apple and some pb ... etc., etc., etc."

It's usually at that point that people start not just counting calories but paying attention to healthy and filling calories and thinking about what *kind* of calories they want to eat, because they don't want to be starving 30 mins after eating their afternoon snack.

But I do think that for a lot of people it has to be a learning process. We all know we can eat fewer calories and lose weight, but I think very few people can sustain *just* counting calories w/out getting hungry and frustrated and giving up. I really do think at some point, people who are going to be successful for the long term wind up moving past the bare number of calories and into thinking about their food in a whole different way.

.

Originally Posted by PhotoChick:
I think we see it here all the time - someone starts off just counting calories, which is fine. Then a few weeks in, they post something like "I'm eating 1500 calories and I'm hungry all the time. Is this normal? I don't know how much longer I can do this. Please help!"

And as they post what they're eating, we all offer suggestions: "If you ate this instead of that ... if you got more protein ... if you changed the small nutrigrain bar for a whole apple and some pb ... etc., etc., etc."

It's usually at that point that people start not just counting calories but paying attention to healthy and filling calories and thinking about what *kind* of calories they want to eat, because they don't want to be starving 30 mins after eating their afternoon snack.

But I do think that for a lot of people it has to be a learning process. We all know we can eat fewer calories and lose weight, but I think very few people can sustain *just* counting calories w/out getting hungry and frustrated and giving up. I really do think at some point, people who are going to be successful for the long term wind up moving past the bare number of calories and into thinking about their food in a whole different way.

Originally Posted by :
I really do think at some point, people who are going to be successful for the long term wind up moving past the bare number of calories and into thinking about their food in a whole different way.

Photochick has once again summed it up nice and neatly.

I think it would be next to impossible to STICK with a ONLY counting calories plan for any length of time. Next. To. Impossible.

Originally Posted by :
I think it would be next to impossible to STICK with a ONLY counting calories plan for any length of time. Next. To. Impossible.

All right, I'll go all out. Risk a cyber-bashing.

Who am I kidding? I just gotta come out and say it. I think it's MORE then next to impossible to stick with strictly calorie counting longterm AND be successful. I think it's downright impossible. Not doable. Out of the question. Sorry. Just my feelings.

But it IS a great place to start. A GREAT place. One which can certainly evolve into something more longterm. Absolutely without a doubt.

I think for some folks, it "might" be possible - but it would depend on what they are currently (before weight loss) eating. It is a myth that all fat folks eat nothing but junk. It's even a myth that no fat folks eat a balanced diet. If you're eating a fairly balanced diet before dieting, just "cutting back" by counting calories, might be sufficient, especially if you don't have a lot of weight to lose.

However, if you're a confirmed junk-food junkie, or consider french fries the only edible vegetable, then it's going to be much less likely. Some people do it. I've even known a few. One of my best friends in college, was a girl who was bulimic on the fringes of anorexia after having lost 60 lbs. Personally, I don't see her story as a success story, despite many of our friends thinking so. I cringe when I realize how many of us were practically "taking notes" on her weight loss tips (such as inducing vomiting with syrup of ipecac).

I never resorted to vomiting (I tried once, but it was way too much work, and I had a sore throat for days), but I am ashamed to say that I did use several of her tips, like chewing food and spitting it out.

I think that nutrition is an undertaught subject (possibly because not all of the experts agree on what it really is). The more I learn, the more I want to learn, so I'm reading alot (and it's getting confusing because there are so many opinions), but I agree that we all have to start where we are, both in terms of what we know and what we're comfortable changing.

Maybe I'll end up with the equivalent of a degree in nutrition, when I'm done. Right now, I'm using an exchange plan to force some balance, but I'm finding that I'm at a stage where that might not be enough. Yes, I work at variety, but I wonder whether I'm eating enough of a variety. Am I getting enough potassium? Do I need to eat more purple foods? These are questions I didn't even think of, let alone concern myself with, when I started.

I think it's necessary to start where you need to, and build from there.

Originally Posted by rockinrobin:
All right, I'll go all out. Risk a cyber-bashing.

Who am I kidding? I just gotta come out and say it. I think it's MORE then next to impossible to stick with strictly calorie counting longterm AND be successful. I think it's downright impossible. Not doable. Out of the question. Sorry. Just my feelings.

But it IS a great place to start. A GREAT place. One which can certainly evolve into something more longterm. Absolutely without a doubt.

Just a peep in here to say that is exactly what I've done for 6 years now. My only significant regains were all pregnancy related. This isn't to say I don't pay attention to the quality of the foods I eat, because I certainly do, with a mental rundown on "did I eat my veggies today," or "did I limit my junk", but as far as counting, it's calories and calories only. I just don't have time or mental energy to deal with the rest.

As always, everybody's different. YMMV.

Anne

I'd agree with many here and say no. Calorie counting helps me formulate what I'm going to eat but I still have to make healthy choices, make sure I get my veggies and fruits, eat lean pieces of meat, etc.
It's just like WW for me. You have to do both counting points and keeping track of what you eat. I am keeping a journal and writing it ALL down.

I am new to this whole calorie counting thing, but one thing that I keep telling myself is that it's not how many calories, but where are those calories coming from that matters.

Like so many others have stated, calorie counting is a great place to start, but I think most people know there's a difference between a 200 calorie candy bar and a 200 calorie meal with loads of veggies - so to me in that vein, most people are at least sub-consciously keeping track of fat/carbs/etc.. along with their official calorie count.

At least in my case, I want to be able to eat as much as possible with the fewest amount of calories (someone above said - more bang for your buck - and that's how I think of it) and I keep that in mind when I shop for food and when I'm planning dinner, etc...

Anyway, I just wanted to toss my 2cents into the mix - what great advice everyone has given and the insight of people who have 'been there, done that' is invaluable to me! :)

wdranne: But then you are doing more than just counting calories -- which is what the OP asked about. I do not enter my food into a program everyday to look at my macros, I do it maybe once or twice a week, and last week not at all...but I pay attention to the QUALITY of my calories all the time, and it sounds like you do to. I am at a point where I just eat better and make sure there is protein in every meal and snack, etc. I am not scientific about it -- but I definitely do not just "count calories".

Originally Posted by wndranne:
Just a peep in here to say that is exactly what I've done for 6 years now. My only significant regains were all pregnancy related. This isn't to say I don't pay attention to the quality of the foods I eat, because I certainly do, with a mental rundown on "did I eat my veggies today," or "did I limit my junk", but as far as counting, it's calories and calories only. I just don't have time or mental energy to deal with the rest.

As always, everybody's different. YMMV.

Anne

But Anne, you DO pay attention to your quality of food, and you DO eat your veggies and your DO limit your junk. Which is EXACTLY what I do. Which is EXACTLY what I think needs to be done at *some point* for long term success, like you yourself have achieved. I never, ever worry about my percentages and ratios and what not. Eating my veggies, and my proteins and limiting my junk TAKES CARE of the numbers for me.

I guess we're all agreeing here, but just "wording" it different perhaps? :dunno:

Ummm, one more thing. What does YMMV stand for?

Originally Posted by rockinrobin:
Ummm, one more thing. What does YMMV stand for?

Your Mileage May Vary.

I really don't think "paying attention" is the same as counting. I MUST, no way, no how, no choice, MUST count, look up, weigh, measure, list out, and sometimes guestimate to get the calories in my food, and log the whole mess or I will gain weight. If my protein percentages are 5% one day, 30% another, and average around 15% (a guess), then it's all good for me. I routinely eat a lot of the stuff the current day weight loss orthodoxy says you "can't" eat, candy, cookies, white bread (sometimes), 100 calorie packs, you name it, and as long as the calories work out, I only have to pay attention and worry about counting anything else.

DH can just "pay attention" to what he eats and he maintains his weight loss of about 30 lbs. I don't have that luxury. I also am well aware that some people have to do more than "pay attention" to their macronutrient ratios, fiber intake, fat intake, protein intake, etc etc to lose and maintain weight. I'm somewhere in the middle.

Counting to me is work. Paying attention, not so much, just a little thought here and there.

Like I said, we are all different.

Anne

My husband's method of losing weight is "just paying attention" and not counting anything. By doing so, he's been able to lose about 50 lbs.

Personally, that would never work for me, because I need to count calories in some form (I use an exchange program). I'm able to stall weight loss on programs like South Beach and even Atkins, because I can overeat just about anything (although carbs are definitely specific triggers).

I think really understanding that people really ARE different. Not only may our mileage vary, we may not even be on the same road, even though some of our destinations may be similar.

Originally Posted by wndranne:
Your Mileage May Vary.

I really don't think "paying attention" is the same as counting. I MUST, no way, no how, no choice, MUST count, look up, weigh, measure, list out, and sometimes guestimate to get the calories in my food, and log the whole mess or I will gain weight. If my protein percentages are 5% one day, 30% another, and average around 15% (a guess), then it's all good for me. I routinely eat a lot of the stuff the current day weight loss orthodoxy says you "can't" eat, candy, cookies, white bread (sometimes), 100 calorie packs, you name it, and as long as the calories work out, I only have to pay attention and worry about counting anything else.

DH can just "pay attention" to what he eats and he maintains his weight loss of about 30 lbs. I don't have that luxury. I also am well aware that some people have to do more than "pay attention" to their macronutrient ratios, fiber intake, fat intake, protein intake, etc etc to lose and maintain weight. I'm somewhere in the middle.

Counting to me is work. Paying attention, not so much, just a little thought here and there.

Like I said, we are all different.

Anne

Yes, we are all different. I agree with you 100%. And yes different things work for different people. Even different word terminologies of (mostly) the same thing.

So please forgive me, I'm not trying to be stubborn or argue with you or anything with you. And I did not mean to offend you any way whatsoever. You are one of my 3FC heroes, but IMO, & it's only my little ole' not worth much of anything opinion - "paying attention" is definitely more than "just counting". For me it is anyway. Perhaps not for you and when you're dealing with *you*, you are of course the only one that matters. Period.

Originally Posted by :
My husband's method of losing weight is "just paying attention" and not counting anything. By doing so, he's been able to lose about 50 lbs.

Yes, there are some people who could just watch. Not me. No siree. No way. No how. I NEED the forced portion control that calorie counting provides. Although that wasn't the OP's question. Could you imagine where we'd be right now if the question was "how do you feel about just paying attention?" ;)

Hey, whatever happened to the OP anyway? I hope we didn't scare her away. ;)

Originally Posted by rockinrobin:
Yes, we are all different. I agree with you 100%. And yes different things work for different people. Even different word terminologies of (mostly) the same thing.

So please forgive me, I'm not trying to be stubborn or argue with you or anything with you. And I did not mean to offend you any way whatsoever. You are one of my 3FC heroes, but IMO, & it's only my little ole' not worth much of anything opinion - "paying attention" is definitely more than "just counting". For me it is anyway. Perhaps not for you and when you're dealing with *you*, you are of course the only one that matters. Period.

Robin, likewise on the heroes thing, LOL!! I'm not offended and I'm not trying to pick too much at what you are saying. Keeping track of the quality of your food is a GOOD thing, IMHO.

But I wanted to post because in this weight management game there are no absolutes. Even the same concept voiced different ways can help some people. People, especially this time of year, are looking for the ONE TRUE PATH to weight loss, and there really isn't one. Just what works for each of us. And the painful truth is we all have to try different things with an open mind to figure out what does work for each of us. That and I'm a big believer in doing the easy things first. If I need to start counting carbs at some point in my life, I'm going to, because the alternative is unthinkable, but as long as I don't have to, 100 cal packs here I come!! Keep it as easy as possible, because this journey is HARD, and I for one am not going to carry one more piece of baggage than I need to.

What is it with these husbands, anyway? ;)

Anne

Originally Posted by gina1221:
I agree that you can lose weight by counting calories alone BUT where those calories come from will determine how hungry or satisfied you feel. When I started out, it was such a daunthing task that all I could manage was counting calories. I was (and still am) tracking on fitday and this really helped me realize where my calories were coming from. 100 calorie packs and jelly beans calories add up fast with minimal nutritional value and will leave you still hungry.

I'd say start with counting and tracking your calories on fitday or dailyplate. Over time you will see where your calories are coming from and can adjust accordingly.

Good Luck!!

I am of the same mindset regarding not being filled up by empty calories versus eating more complex foods within the same calorie range. I've found over the months of tracking macro nutrients I now eat healthier. In the beginning I used to use calorie king to find out the calories and kept a word document with number of calories for each item eat not knowing the amount of fat/fiber/protein I was getting. Since TDP I've cut out the simple foods and gone heavy with fruits, veggies, and grains. I find thats one of the biggest benefits of calorie tracking website other than just knowing the number of calories consumed.

Originally Posted by wndranne:
Even the same concept voiced different ways can help some people.

Gotcha Anne. I hear you. Loud and clear.

And I've got to tell you. I've been thinking about this. Or should I say re-thinking this.

My take is coming from someone who not only needed to lose 165 lbs, but as someone who got to be 165 lbs overweight. Helllooo. I'm thinking someone who *only* needs to lose, say 20 lbs, never had quite the same overeating issue as I did, might be perfectly fine and successful, yup even LONGTERM, *just* counting calories. Who knows? Certainly not me.

Originally Posted by rockinrobin:
My take is coming from someone who not only needed to lose 165 lbs, but as someone who got to be 165 lbs overweight. Helllooo. I'm thinking someone who *only* needs to lose, say 20 lbs, never had quite the same overeating issue as I did, might be perfectly fine and successful, yup even LONGTERM, *just* counting calories. Who knows? Certainly not me.

Right there with you on that! My after is higher than a lot of people's before, so I don't claim to know it all.

Anne

Originally Posted by :
IMO, & it's only my little ole' not worth much of anything opinion - "paying attention" is definitely more than "just counting". For me it is anyway.

From the perspective of the OP's original post and question, I agree with this. To go back to the beginning the original question was:

Can you be successful in counting ONLY calories and not worrying about the carbs, fat, protein, fiber, sodium etc?

In my interpretation of that, "paying attention" to how many servings of veggies you get (even in an offhand way) or making sure you eat enough protein (even if you don't count the exact grams) is more than counting only the calories. But I can see how it could be interpreted differently as well. :)

Originally Posted by :
My after is higher than a lot of people's before, so I don't claim to know it all.

I agree with this as well. :) I've lost a good bit of weight, but then I came to my weight loss from the perspective of wanting to be "fit". I've posted in my blog before that at that time, I had no idea what being fit really meant. I had no idea that it meant eating HEALTHY, not just losing weight or being able to lift weights or whatever. In fact I know I've posted on my blog and here that I used to get pissed of at my trainer when he'd talk to me about the food I ate because I didn't want someone to lecture me about my diet - I just wanted someone to teach me to get fit. *grin* Who knew??

But maybe if I hadn't been as interested in getting fit - in building muscle - in becoming athletic - maybe I'd have spent longer counting calories only and not worrying so much about eating "right" - in whatever form that might be. And maybe if I'd always had reasonably healthy eating habits to begin with, just counting a few calories would have been ok. But coming from it from the perspective of (a) someone extremely obese and (b) someone who was interested in more than just being skinny ... that makes a difference.

So like a lot of people I think it's hard for me to answer the question w/out drawing on those two perspectives.

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