Hello Everyone,

I was wondering if you calorie count or not? I had been counting my calories for about a month and started to feel obsessed with it. After a while I felt like if I had eaten a lot of calories and still felt hungry, I was failing which would sometimes start a binge. I dont know about you, but I'm not sure that calorie counting is right for me. It almost makes me feel more hopeless. I'm not saying that it doesnt work for other people but I think for me, I just want to get my eating back to normal. I dont want to rely on eating or not eating as a determininant of my self worth like I have in the past. Calorie counting for me just made me spend more time agonizing over what I can and can't eat. I think after a month of it I have a pretty good understanding of what has the calories that are worth it and what isnt going to help. So i've decided to stop counting. I'm taking a risk and I think what I will do is count for a week every few weeks just to make sure I'm still on the right track. I just don't have time to log in every time I want to eat a grape. Perhaps it's my OCD personality that just makes calorie counting too much for me.

Does anyone feel the same way? Wondering what your thoughts are? Do you count calories or use fit day? Does it overwhelm you like it did me or is it useful?

Thanks!

I think you're making a great decision. I too felt like counting calories would become an obsessive part of my life. When I went over my range, I would just give up and let loose, so overall it was never that helpful for me. I agree that it's nice to have an idea of what things are extremely high in calories so you can make a conscious effort to avoid them if they aren't worth it, but overall I feel like counting calories was not worth it for me, and I feel like if I am ever going to be a normal eater, counting calories will not be a part of that. With that said, let us know if it helps you. As you mentioned, it's a good idea for some people.

For now, counting calories is what works for me. It's my "jedi mind trick", the thing that has finally clicked in my head. Of course, I'm heavier than both of you, so can have alot more cals than you probably can, and still lose. Right now, I'm staying under 2200/cals/day, which is ALOT, but by doing so, I can lose down to about 200 lbs before I need to adjust that. I think weight loss is very individual about what is motivating for someone. I'm an accountant, so maybe that's why the "numbers" work for me?

I DO calorie count, but it probably isn't the best thing for me because I do get obessed to the point where I go too low on calories. And when I go too high I freak out and feel that I must purge immediately and if I am in a place where that is simply not possible (like in a car with other people) I literally get an anxiety attack. It is horrible. But, as I am still not at my goal weight and still do not trust my body to regulate hunger and sasiation, I feel that I must calorie count to lose weight, or at least not gain. That may not be true, but it is how I feel.

I've been calorie counting for about 3 months and prior to that I was on Atkins and only counted carbs. This is working OK for me. I do tend to feel bad on days that I go over on my cal's but I still try to stay within my limit. For me the counting seems necessary because I never seem to register that I'm full. I could eat mindlessly and easily eat way too many cal's and regain my weight. Each person has to choose what is best for them on a very personal level. I use Fitday to track my progress and although it takes a few minutes, I consider it time well spent. Good luck on your new plan and I hope it works well for you.

Three weeks ago, I started calorie counting in Excel because I joined the maintainers group and it seems like everyone there does so. I've found that I'm not eating enough because I'm mostly eating vegetables and whole grains.

Yesterday, I started using FitDay and am adjusting to it. It seems to be missing items like oranges and grapefruit. Plus things are measured in cups so I have to visualize if the tomatoe in my salad is a cup or only half a cup.

Ugh, calorie counting...
here's what I do:
I do tend to keep a vauge track of calories in my head...just so I can balance. As in, if I have something fatty or high calorie like...a bagel for breakfast, I make sure I have only a salad for lunch.
I also look at labels to make sure I am only eating foods where not too many calories come from fat.

Mostly, to maintain my weight, I try not to eat ANYTHING that comes from a package (With the exception of yogurt or whole wheat pasta) therefore ensuring that I'm not getting too many gross trans fats. For my body, it's less about how much I eat, and much more about what I eat. I am severely restrictive with deserts and snack foods, but I will let myself have as many leafy greens, vegitables, or fruits as I want...without counting calories.

It's probably not for everyone though.

Thanks for the thoughts everyone!.. so far today I've had what I think is a good day. I have tons of veggies and fruits in my house and I'm planning on keeping my fridge full of fresh healthy munchies!

I understand where you are coming from. I cannot count calories, because I too get obsessed and frustrated and don't end up eating when I am hungry. I have found that when I stopped counting was when I lost weight...I know that calorie counting is very useful and many people are successful with it, but I think my personality type isn't good for it. I am such a perfectionist that my calories had to be perfect every day or I would get upset and discouraged.

I feel that I've sort of traded other obsessive tendancies I've had for the 'hobby' of calorie counting and tracking exercise. It was overwelming at first but it has mellowed. And it is very much healthier than seeing how many books I can read in one day or finding an entire list of all the British monarchy for the last thousand years ...

I'm in the obsessive club, I guess. Calorie counting is a great tool, and it obviously works for a lot of people. But it tends to make me obsessive, and leads to binges. I lose more slowly because of not counting, I'm sure, but I'm feeling much better about my relationship with food and my eating habits when I don't count.

I count calories (actually that's my whole plan) but my problem is the opposite of obsessing -- I'm always too easy on myself! Different strokes for different folks. It might be that calorie counting isn't right for you. I just like it because the numbers never lie. I can try to convince myself that a brownie is a healthy snack all I want, but if it's 500 calories, it's 500 calories.

And isn't that what it is all about? And what this forum is all about? Healthy is the key word, not weight loss.

That is the way to go and congratulations to you for realizing that and making steps toward being healthy and not just trying to lose weight by any means necessary. That is what I aspire to. But, it is difficult.