This week has been a tough one.I haven't wanted to write down my calories or keep up with anything...do you get tired of trying to keep up with every little calorie?
But I've been walking everyday.

Yes. I've gotten tired of it plenty of times in the past. And everytime I've stopped, I've gained every pound I lost back. Plus some extra. I won't go down that slippery slope again, even if it means counting everything that goes in my mouth until the day I die. Because, really, how hard is it? It's not hard at all! Getting "tired of it" is, in my opinion, self sabatoge. And it's not being tired of the counting itself, but tired of being accountable for what you eat - and the only way to do this is to hold yourself accountable.

I get tired of it everyday but more importantly I get tired of being uncomfortable being as big as I am. So in the long run its worth it. Also I take a break on the weekends. Its not as structured and so far I have been able to lose weight every week so I know as long as I try eat sensibly it will be ok.

I guess everyone's different. The counting calories way was very annoying for me and I felt like I was always counting and adding and not feeling full enough. Each time I tried to do a diet this way I ended up frustrated and giving up in the end. But anyone who can do this...WOW! I am so amazed with you and you really have my

I guess you just have to find the right diet for you. For me, the one I am on now seems a lot simplier and easier to follow long term (the 5 factor diet) which basically revolves around eating right and the right amounts and the right time of day. You don't have to count.

I dunno...beliter and eclipse you are both amazing to try and do this long term. You go! DisgruntledOne it seems like it's working for you. I guess if you can keep it up I would as it's obviously giving you excellent results. In the end you have to decide if it's something you can keep up with!

There are times I don't feel like counting and I know that is a red flag that I'm about to do something I'll regret. However, if I do get tired and I give it some time and I think about it, I might give myself a day off from counting. More times than not, I regret my choices, but I do bounce back and get back to what works every time: counting calories + working out. It's the best combo for me. I hope you get motivated to continue. It's not easy, but the results are sooooo good.

I guess it's mostly what I'm accountable for that bothers me,like on days like today,I get up at 3 am,do not have structured times at work to take breaks & lunches,by the time I come home and get in bed by 10,I'm dead tired.I don't want to think about the calories I've eaten cuz I know I went over my limit.
I knew I needed to come here to get a good talkin to(it helps)

Yes. I have felt like quitting. And, yes, I have quit. A number of times actually.

And, every time that I do, I regret it.

I'm going to try hard not to quit this time. I once made it 4 months without quitting. This time I'm going to try for 5 and hope that if I do that, that I can do it for life.

Best wishes to us all!

A couple of weeks ago, I gave myself permission to not track calories for 3 days. A couple of important points - I was NOT quitting, this was a temporary break that I needed. And even more importantly, I did not give myself permission to go crazy with food, just not having to weigh, measure and log everything. So I probably ate slightly more than usual but definitely not what I would have eaten without paying any attention to in the past.

It coincided with TOM, and yes, I did put on a couple of pounds, but I may have anyway, so I didn't over think it.

This will not be something I do regularly - it was the first time since I started on 11/2/09. And it did what I wanted it to do - felt like I had a break and I was able to come back with renewed excitement about my journey, including logging my food every day. But it was also very, very important that this was a planned break, and not an excuse to not go back to tracking or to go crazy with eating for those three days.

Have you thought about planning what you are eating for like 2 or 3 days in a row that way you don't have to do it everyday but you still know the calories counts of what you are eating?

I do plan when I go grocery shopping,every night I plan for the next day,it's on those long days or when i don't get lunch or a break when scheduled I tend to over eat.Don't get me wrong,I don't go way overboard it's usually about 200-500 over my limit.I do still walk a mile everyday when I get my lunch break & ride my exercise bike 2-3 miles.
I just wanted to know if anyone else has a hard time or was out there on my own?

I get tired of the amount of TIME it takes to track each item. I keep thinking "I don't want to do this forever!" I know that for this to work, I need good habits that will carry over to when Im maintaining and not counting.

I went to lunch with a co-worker yesterday. She is 5'7 & 120-125? Anyway, she ordered some french fries & a water for lunch. In my mind I was thinking... she gets to eat anything she wants & she stays so tiny! I'm way jealous! Well, I decided to mention that I had to watch my calorie intake and to my surprise she does too! She just keeps a running total in her head instead of writing it down. She said if she doesn't she will put on weight really easy. It was nice to learn that those of us who need to lose weight are not the only ones having to watch their calories. I don't know why but for some reason I felt better knowing some thin people have to count calories too!

Does it REALLY take that much time, though? I spend, maybe, 15 minutes a day putting my food in. Probably not even that much. How long is it taking you?

I agree, if you have a good system in place it really shouldn't take that long. I have an app on my phone that tracks my cals and has a huge database of foods and I can store all my recipes in there, it's called LoseIt! they also have a free online version. So the only extra time comes when I have to put a new recipe in. In the begining it took a little more time because everyday I was having to put in a recipe, but now I literally spend two minutes in the morning planning what I'm going to eat for the day and then I'm done. If I make a substitution then that only take a few minutes to change it there on the spot. I also plan my meals a week ahead so I know exactly what to buy at the store and then the day of the only really items to add in are snacks and whatnot. I have a bunch of recipes that I like that I can mix and match to hit my calorie goals.

If you truely feel like you need a break then take one. Allow yourself a day or two to just practice "portion" control. Don't give up, it really is worth it.

I wanted to add that you'll find that most maintainers keep journaling/tracking. I know I plan to and for as long as it takes. Some suggest that they eyeball until the scale starts creeping up and then they are back to tracking. I don't know if I want that temptation and am ok with the fact that I may be tracking for the rest of my life. Good Luck!

It doesn't bother me at all. Sorry. I do not ever want to quit this. I have not had that feeling this time. When I did South Beach, yes, I wanted to quit...and I did. Calorie counting is the plan for me.

But I have made it dummy proof for myself. I found the ideal thing that worked with who I am. I count six meals and make sure I don't go over 200 calories. All I have to ever add up is up to 200 calories. And most of my food is pretty automated at this point. I know the calorie counts for most of what I eat without even checking. I do not journal. I eat whole foods.

I'm not saying it was easy at the beginning. Heck no! I had to dig in my heels and get through some pretty intense hunger that lasted about 3 weeks. But since then, this has been easy, really. For the most part, I do not get hungry. And if I do get hungry, I make sure I'm eating some really filling meals. This usually means I need to increase the veggies so I get the most bang for my buck.