Hey all,

I have decided that the best way for me to get healthy and lose this weight is to count calories so i am learning about the best way for me to eat for the future and not just diet and then put it all back on again!
My question is what is the best way to keep track of the calories i eat? Are online calorie counters accurate, and do they have a wide range of foods etc? Or is it better to try work it out for yourself and keep track on paper etc..
Some advice would be greatly appreciated and i really want to get this right!!
Thank you all

C xxx

there is a site called shape.com and they have a virtual trainer and you put in each day what you eat and it calculates the calories for you!

I love sparkpeople.com for my calories and exercise. Fairly easy to use and FREE ♥

I use Fitday, and it works fine, but I more or less picked it at random. They are as accurate as the user wants them to be--it comes down to putting information in honestly and completely.

I strongly recommend some sort of computer tracker just because 1) it's easier, so you are more likely to stick with it 2) People who "guesstimate" and add up calories in their heads are often, IME, +or- 200 calories a day, and 3) it lets you keep an eye on your macronutrients. Even if you aren't worrying about carbs/protein/fat/fiber now, it's useful to have the information--sometimes you notice patterns, like "I feel more full when . . ."

Just because we're all different, I always like to throw this out there because it fits me. Surely SOMEONE out there is like me.

Journaling is always recommended and I recommend it too, though it is not for me. Journaling is just another thing I can quit and if I quit any part of this it's too easy to quit it all. What I do is eat six equal meals in terms of calories. For me that's 200 calories each meal. I make sure every meal is around 200 calories and that each meals packs a good nutritional punch and that's it. I don't every count higher than 200.

thanks for the advice everyone
i think i will give the on line ones ago, see if it works for me! Hopefully it will!!
Hopefully i can be posting up progress soon!!
C x

It's different for everyone. I have tried many online ones but eventually ended up quitting. However, now I do it the good old fashioned way with pen and paper. I use an agenda and sit down and plan an entire week at a time. If I ever need to look up certain info I use the Lose It! app on my iPhone. Since I started using an agenda it's the first time I've stuck with it for more than a week.

Loads of great ways to do it, just play around and try different things, it is fun.

Eliana, that's a great idea with the equal meals!

One idea not mentioned here is that there are a lot of cell phone apps out now. I haven't found one I like for my phone but I've been logging food into a memo in the phone until I can get to my Fitday PC log at night.

However, I lost the majority of my weight with a paper notebook and pen.

Also there is tally jewelry ...

tally jewelry?

yeah well i am gonna give the internet things a go and see if i can remember to do it! I need a bit of advice also, i know its a pretty individual thing, but i am 5 foot and was wondering what i should be aiming for. ive never been an ideal size so i have nothing of my own to aim for! If anyone could offer any advice that would be greatly appreciated!
C x

I tried doing it online but paper just works better for me. I don't have to be near the computer or have it turned on. I can take paper with me anywhere and if I decide to change something I can just scratch it out and do it over.

I use dailyburn.com to keep track of calories

LoseIt is a very nice app

I just use the calculator on my phone and add in calories as I eat stuff. I will also add up calories from meals prepared in advance so I can gauge how much room I have for snacks.

I keep track of my calories on a dry erase board on the fridge. If I can't get the calorie info from the packaging, then I google the food to find its nutritional info. I also measure (with a measuring cup or food scale) to be sure how much I am preparing/eating. Good luck. I hope you find what works for you.

I LOVEEE LoseIt. It's seriously made my life a hundred times easier. I had lunch out today and then tallied my calories while riding the elevator to my car. Awesome!