My only complaint is when it comes to recipes. I'm still trying to learn how to accurately count, like say, a plate of spaghetti. It just confuses me so I end up eating a lot of foods out of boxes and packages with the calorie count ready to go. Once I learn how to measure and count everything, I think I'll like it a lot more!
My only complaint is when it comes to recipes. I'm still trying to learn how to accurately count, like say, a plate of spaghetti. It just confuses me so I end up eating a lot of foods out of boxes and packages with the calorie count ready to go. Once I learn how to measure and count everything, I think I'll like it a lot more!
If you don't like measuring, you can try eyeballing portions. The following might help you:
Calorie counting (along with whole foods and exercise) is what works for me, but oh man do I HATE it. I really, really, really dislike it.
What exactly do you hate about it? Serious question. Does it feel tedious, too detail-oriented, or just the idea that you have to do it?
I like the flexibility (and the outcome!), so it's worth it to me. I use an app (My Fitness Pal) that makes it as easy as possible. I have taken two week-long breaks over the last year (just eating intuitively and not tracking) and that has helped a lot when I start getting tired of it.
I guess for me, after a while, I try to make calorie counting part of my routine. After running three half-marathons and not really dieting during those times in my life (urg!), I now know after long hard exercise routines that you can't outwiegh a bad nutrition program.
So, now, I try to stay at 1500 calories a day, all day, all the time. I am trying to just make 1500 calories a day what I do, a new lifestyle change.
After a while, it starts to become habit. For instance, today when I loaded my lunchbox, I took a cereal bar (150), jiffy to go (250), apple (100), banana (100), pulled pork meat (300), and an orange (100). I can tell just from filling up my lunchbox that I am eating about 1,000 calories while at work today. When I get home, I make a low-calorie meal under 500 that my hubby will eat (skinnytaste.com is my favorite). And that's what my program is now, I guess we'll see what the results are.
Calorie counting is annoying, but I guess I like it better than weighing myself. I know that when we embark on these lifestyle changes it's important to quantify them in someway. I guess for me counting calories in the only way that I know I am making a lifestyle change. good post!
The only thing I don't like about it is that the planning makes me think about food all of the time. Therefore I feel like I talk about it a lot too. But not thinking about food and how much I was eating and what I was actually eating is what caused me to gain weight in the first place.
I honestly like tracking and finding new low cal recipes to try and I definitely love seeing the scale go down and the need for smaller pants!
Awww, the encouragement was exactly what I needed! I've been counting for several years now, on and off. I have found that if I get off track, I do have to start measuring again, and then once I've done that for a week or so, going back to eyeballing works just as well. So there is that small reassurance. I HATE washing out all those measuring implements.
But, I did lose two pounds last week, so the counting has paid off.
My only complaint is when it comes to recipes. I'm still trying to learn how to accurately count, like say, a plate of spaghetti. It just confuses me so I end up eating a lot of foods out of boxes and packages with the calorie count ready to go. Once I learn how to measure and count everything, I think I'll like it a lot more!
Yep, I stick my plate on my scale, measure 1-2 oz of dry pasta, then cook it! Simple.
2oz dry pasta = about 3/4 - 1 cup cooked
I've said this a million times, but I usually make my meals ahead of time and freeze them. If I have a recipe, I just make it and divide it by recommended servings.
I love calorie counting, because it's the only thing that works for me. I know I can have chocolate if I account for it in my calories, whereas if I cut it out altogether I'm sure I would have given up losing weight long ago (like I did every other time).
It can get a little tedious at times, and sometimes I don't like having to think constantly about food and how many calories are in everything I eat. But it keeps me accountable, and the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages, in my opinion.
It's easier when using prepackaged food. Harder when I make my own recipes since I have to portion things out and divide all the ingredients. when I cook for the family sometimes they have bigger portions then I do, so then I'm not sure how to do the math... and I'm not always good with eyeballing portions, if I'm hungry I will take a bigger portion.
i hate it but I also find it oddly comforting. Its the same love/hate relationship I have with my scale. Its great for those days when I think I have blown y diet and in my head i think "its ok... youve ruined your diet so you may as well eat what you crave, get it out of your system and start fresh tomorrow". Then i count my calories and realise am still within range and instantly my head quiets down. On the other hand, i also get very anxious if i cant log my calories (i didnt have my phone for a week when it broke) and i could only log calories when i got home where I could log into myfitnesspal. Longest two weeks of my life! So yeah... on the one hand i hate it but on the other hand, i dont think I could do this without it.
It's easier when using prepackaged food. Harder when I make my own recipes since I have to portion things out and divide all the ingredients. when I cook for the family sometimes they have bigger portions then I do, so then I'm not sure how to do the math... and I'm not always good with eyeballing portions, if I'm hungry I will take a bigger portion.
to really be accurate, you can weigh the entire meal (don't forget to weigh the dish first so you can subtract it!) then figure out how much your portion amounts to. Just stick your bowl/plate on the scale, tare, and plate up your food.
With casseroles, I like to cut into the right number of portions - usually 8 - then I grab one portion. Everyone else may have a bigger portion after, but so be it! If it's something like stir fry, I just stick with 1 cup and 1/2 cup rice, and if it's something like chili or soup, I stick with 1-1.5 cups.
If I have to estimate based on the amount of individual ingredients on my plate, I do that.
I hate that calorie counting keeps me honest with myself. Even if I don't know the calorie count for something I've eaten, I look it up and choose the closest thing possible. It also keeps me honest with portion sizes.
I do like that I can eat whatever I want, as long as I count the calories.
Calorie counting is the ONLY thing I've ever stuck to. Unfortunatly I get bored with things and I'm starting to get bored with it...I hope this isn't the beginning of another fail.
But not thinking about food and how much I was eating and what I was actually eating is what caused me to gain weight in the first place.
Even if I don't know the calorie count for something I've eaten, I look it up and choose the closest thing possible. It also keeps me honest with portion sizes. 
