Hi, I'm new here and just had a question or two that maybe you can answer. I have tried every diet out there with temporary weight loss results. I am so frustrated that I just eat more. I know I have a portion control problem (I always eat far too much) and I have a fast food addiction. Is calorie counting right for me? When I have tried it in the past, I find I am always hungry. Please help me to not fail this time.

Hi
I have read lots of post here, and I think different people do well at different calorie intake numbers. I do pretty good between 1400-1600 calories a day. Some people can eat more, and some less. I get way too hungry when I eat less then 1400 calories a day and tend to binge if I do. Also you calories need to be from healthy things. fruits , veggies, if you are a meat eater , chicken , .. .
Good luck and I hope you find what works for you.
cheryl

Steen
Welcome
If calorie counting helps keep you on track then it is the thing for you. Fit day is a great free site that you can use. Real easy. Takes a bit of time at first to set it up but well worth the time. You put in all foods that you eat. After that you just choose the food and put in the amount you have had. Fit day keeps track of calories fat carbs things like that for you.

Make sure you get those four basic food groups in a day and the recommended amounts unless you are a vegetarian. You won't be hungry if you are getting in all you need. I find I have so much food to eat I don't have enough time in the day to eat it all.

Are you using a computer program or the trusty pen and paper? I used www.dailyplate.com, but I know others who use fitday or nutridiary. There are lots of free programs out there. It works for me, because I sit in front of the computer 8 hours a day. If you do the pen and paper method, there are lots of books with calorie counts as well. I am like you. I have done about every diet scheme known to man, but I refuse to give up. Calorie counting is working well for me. I haven’t so much reduced my calories as much as I have kept myself from binging. That’s a great start. I ate badly these last 2 days, but I am back and on track today.

Goodluck to you. I’m always here to listen.
Celia

Hi and welcome to the colories counters!

Iīve tried lots of diets too but came back to counting calories. Itīs great because you can choose what to eat and how much (and even geat treats) as long as you stay in your range and it works for ever, when youīve lost weight just adjust your caloric intake to mantein.. itīs great, easy and FREE yey!!!

I think the important point is to detemrine how many calories you need to loose. Donīt go too low because then youīll be hungry and binge. I went to the dr for that but there are many online calculators, actually fitday calculates that too and I think dailyplate too!

I eat 1200 cals daily aprox and I eat lots of veggies, so actually 1200 cals is a LOT of food!

Good luck and hope to hear from you!

I am another one that has been an on many diets, they all will work with varying success,but I find calorie counting works best for me. There is no need to be hungry with calorie counting. You may need to experiment to find the right amount of calories for you, Do not go under 1200 calories,
if I were you I think I would start at about 1500 calories and see how that works for you.And try to avoid fast food , it is loaded with fat and sodium and lots of calories.

Thank you all for your great advice. I think I will look into the free websites (like Fitday) since I am on the computer all day. My dietitian says I should be at about 1500 calories a day, so I guess I'll start there. I'll be talkin to ya...

one thing to do is not to think will calorie counting work for me, but rather, how can i stop the need to be hungry.....
calorie counting is great, but you have to find stratergies to cope with binging/peckishness/the lack of food your tummy things you need, or rather your brain.

and again everyone is different. but even with calorie couting u may have this problem, just have to stay strong, stay on track and remeber there is LOADS of help available on sites like these.

some of my tips are for helping keep calories on track and stopping getting hungry.
Filling up on veg
having a drink before dinner
having a drink if you think you are hungry, when really your just dehydrated
cups of tea not just cause im british, but they are warming and filling and distract me.
Ice lolly, low fat low sugar, and other very very low fat treats.
The best thing to remeber is not to starve yourself, but do what u feel is comfortable for your lifestyle and as raf said, how much you want to loose.
anyway hope i gave some help. good luck, and dont forgett we are always here for advice :-)

I am going to take a guess here and say that when freethetoys says have a drink before dinner , I don't think she means a martini but rather a glass of water.

What I love about calorie counting is that I can eat whatever I want and still lose weight if I stay inside my limits. It's the most joyous dieting expirience! lol. And if you arent losing weight, it can always be solved with a little math. There are no forbidden foods. But I find I feel better if I eat loads of fruit and lean protein.
happy counting!!

well i dunno martini cant be that bad for you lol long as u dont have full fat coke in it lol

About those before dinner drinks...............
Vodka Martini 239 calories
Gin Martini 249 calories

Better save them for special occaisions and have a drink of water before meals.