I used to not count my morning cup of coffee because I use SF Creamer (15 cals per Tbsp) and then I realized that I use like 1/2 C of creamer so my morning cup of joe is like 120 cals! So now I count that, but sometimes I'll have a dollop of FF sour cream (-15 cals) or something like that and I don't count it. I know it all adds up and this could result in some sabotaging, but is there anything you don't count?
If it's not water, it's food. That's the philosophy I live by anyways. I count every bite. (I count carbs but the program I use (sparkpeople.com) also tracks the calories as well.
When I was getting down and dirty and losing, losing, losing there was nothing, absolutely nothing I didn't count. As you lose (as a c counter) your success depends solely on creating the all important deficit of burning MORE calories than you are taking in.
I see you are new on your journey. You have so much to be excited about and I am excited for you. Do nothing that may counteract your decision for health. As I began one of the biggest motivators I had was seeing the number drop on the scale. Those were days before anyone knew I was doing anything to become more fit. I couldn't get into a smaller size for a couple of months. But still, I knew the number was dropping.
In summary, yes count it--every lick, drink, bite or dip.
I do count everything I eat, but there are some things that I just estimate in my counts. For example, I do not measure out an exact tablespoon of ketchup or mustard. For things like that, I just round up and put down 25 calories.
Now for things like salad dressing that are high calorie, I would meausre it out exactly. But if it's pretty low cal and I'm only using a bit, I feel okay with just putting an estimate. I'd feel crazy if I had to measure every teaspoon of mustard or weigh every apple.
I try to count everything, but I don't necessarily weigh or measure everything. Proteins and starches all get weighed unless it's something like a slice of bread and then I go by the package. Most veggies don't - I use Fitday to track and I'll generally use their "one medium radish" type entry. I do weigh carrots though, because I eat a lot of them and want to make sure I am properly counting them. For something like a splash of milk in my tea, I'll usually just count an ounce without measuring it out. I don't weigh fruit every time, but I try to do it periodically, to make sure I'm still eyeballing a "medium apple" correctly and not letting the sizes creep up without noticing.
I also estimate things like low-calorie vegetables, condiments, etc. Sometimes I'll neglect to count veggies in a recipe if they're small amounts and low calories - half a cup of chopped bell pepper split among 4 servings may not be worth the time it takes to search for it.
But otherwise, I try to count it all. Sometimes I forget to log a stick of gum or a cup of Crystal Light or the 15 calories of cream in my coffee, but I get most of it in there. I also overestimate things all the time so it evens out.
I count absolutely everything. If I have a 1/2 tablespoon of mustard it's counted. I have become anal about how many calories I consume because I'm going to get to my size 10 and I will maintain it the rest of my life.
i count everything, and i just got back into counting calories... where before i'd like skip one or two things if i ate it.. but this time i'm strict and have lost 5lbs in 3 days!
but one thing i DONT count, i buy an energy drink like twice a week for my late classes at school (on the days i work before school) but i grab the 'no calorie, sugar free' one, so i don't bother counting it. plus it hasn't affected my weight anyway! other than that, even my crystal light (5cal) i count
If Im nibbling on something like 3 grapes, or take a small bite of something I don't count it. I don't think its worth the hassle. Also if I eat 1 starburst or 2 jellybeans I dont count it. Also I don't count ketchup or seasonings. I also don't weigh my food, my food scale is broked so I just guesstimate which works out fine
Last edited by 19Deltawifey; 01-15-2010 at 01:08 PM.
I count almost everything... even small amounts of veggies and ketchup and what not. Some things I over estimate just in case, like lettuce etc. The thing is, I don't count my gum. It's only 5 calories a stick and I have about 5 a day haha that's a lot. Anyway that's 25 calories but I KNOW I make up for it through over estimation and rounding up of so many foods. Plus, you burn more calories chewing it (supposedly 11/hour) than there are in the gum. So there, that's literally the one thing I don't count. I'll admit it lol
I don't count veggies except for potato. I don't eat back any of my calories after exercising so I figure it evens out.
I might start counting them in the future if I find my weightloss slowing down without reason.
this makes me want to get back to logging my calories better! it is true a couple calories here and there do add up. one thing i do do is measure my servings... like if total cereal is 100 calories for 3/4 cup...i measure 2 3/4 cup of milk and then measure 1 cup of milk. i think that is very accurate. i think everyone has to guesstimate some thing though!
I count everything but my gum, and even then I mentally add it to my tally but don't record it. It's 5cals for 2 pieces and I typically eat about 3-4 a day. So 10 cals.
I count everything except for soy sauce. (random, I know.) With as much as I love ketchup I HAVE to count that! I agree that every 20 calorie bite adds up and that just a few nibbles here and there can tack on an extra 100 calories. That's why in my FitDay tracker I made an entry for 100 calories. If I think I had an extra bite or two of something that might add up, I just throw in that extra 100 calories in my tracker for the day to make it even out.
Is there anything you don't count?
haha that's a lot. Anyway that's 25 calories but I KNOW I make up for it through over estimation and rounding up of so many foods. Plus, you burn more calories chewing it (supposedly 11/hour) than there are in the gum. So there, that's literally the one thing I don't count. I'll admit it lol 
