I'm getting back on track after months of stress and emotional eating. I'm struck with the fact that it is so much easier for me right now to do so because I counted calories consistently for the majority of last year.

I'm not keeping an exact food diary again just yet and for now I'm not going to. But it is so much easier for me to shop for food, plan and prepare my meals, and make good decisions when eating out. I have a good idea of calorie counts on basic items and about how many calories I should be partaking at a meal. I know that some "healthy" items at restaurants can be deceptively high in calories and check or make appropriate choices. I possess a renewed appreciation for vegetables and fruit. I can eyeball a real serving size of meats and pastas/grains. Even after months of unhealthy habits, this information has not left me.

This is meant as an encouragement to all you dedicated calorie counters out there, especially those that are just starting. I know how tough it can be day to day to be disciplined about weighing out or measuring food, researching calories, and recording intake. Know though that you are building knowledge that will help you for the rest of your life and help you make healthier choices in the long term. It DOES get easier and it IS worth it.



Does anyone else have experiences to share?

I find that when I don't count calories and when I don't plan my meals , I eat much more than I think I am. Guestimating just doesn't work for me.

I counted calories and measured, to lose 31 lb. Now I can estimate the servings but still keep a running calorie total in my head all day.

In short, once you are used to eating this way, it becomes second nature. Means you can eat just about anything, so don't feel deprived--but everything gets counted. For me, it means never having to "diet"--just be aware of what and how much I'm eating. It's a good system for life-long weight maintenance.

Have been both calorie and carb counting for awhile now, but the test was over the last 10 days while I was on vacation. Had nothing with me to track calories, but I wrote it all down. At the beginning of the vacation, I did well, regarding food, but was drinking more alcohol and didn't account for that. Eventually I quit the drinking but started to eat more calories and higher carbs. And yesterday, the last day of my vacation, I splurged. But this morning, when I wrote it all down, I was happy to learn that my splurge was not nearly as bad as it once was. And I didn't gain any weight on my vacation!

I think just being more aware of the caloric values of what I was choosing to eat made me choose more wisely.

Counting seems like a drag but the numbers can be calming, they can free you. It takes the emotion away and much of my overeating was just that: bad habit and emotion. I'll overeat and get emotional about it, check the totals and find out that oh yes, I COULD afford that Hershey bar, just have to pay for it with next choice. I like the simplicity, the flexibility. I am about to move down to 29% bmi, no longer obese, and have decided to celebrate by eating as much Maryland blue crab meat as I want. I did the math so I'll enjoy it more fully because I know a full pound is 400ish calories, not 2,000 like I imagined.

Counting has started to give me a relieved calming feeling too as MatildaTwo has just mentioned. I also get a rewarding feeling that I exercised hard and count the calories burned into my diary. Keeping track has led me on the right path before and I know that this time, it will.

Before, If I started to count the cals, and then stopped too soon before getting used to the smaller portions, it would lead to overeating, binging, and weight gain. I just have to stop binging and overeating when I get emotional. If and when I get too emotional, I would turn to food and eat too much and think, what's the point in counting now? Each morning, I have to start off with a healthy breakfast, and then that leads to me tracking it down in my diary. Then that leads to a healthy lunch, then exercise, and so on and so forth. So calorie counting has helped me stay on track each day. It's just those emotional times that I have to watch out for.

I use MyFitnessPal too, and there is a good community of people to connect with and receive support from on the website.

I'm with you all. It keeps me on track and sane. I mean you keep a budget for your money to keep you financially on track... so this makes you keep your physical well being on track.

I've been calorie counting for 4 months now, and also find it to be calming. Although I feel pretty confident that I can guestimate portion sizes pretty accurately, I prefer to measure or weigh everything out for peace of mind. I also love logging food in my little notebook. I guess it's the type A side of me coming out. lol

For me, calorie counting is the lifesaver I've always tried to find. I used to think it was too much trouble -- and frankly, it WAS a lot harder in the days before trackers like LoseIt! and others. But for me, it's been the key.

Like others have mentioned, it simply removes the emotional and guilt factors from weight loss. NOTHING is off limits -- just the quantities. And it causes me to really think about if a food is "worth it." Sometimes it is; other times, no. But because nothing is off limits, there isn't anything to feel guilty about. In short, calorie counting makes me accountable -- without the drama.

I loosely follow South Beach, keeping my emphasis on whole foods, beans, vegetables and fruits. But if you examined my tracker, you'd find it liberally interspersed with Snickers bars, Skinny Cow ice cream bars and peanuts. I don't often go over my calories, but if I do, I don't stress about it. I simply take note and adjust a little the next day or so. No... big... deal. And isn't THAT refreshing?

I lose more slowly than most on here, and for the past 5 months I've been re-losing to match my ticker... now only 6 pounds away from that weight. But it's comfortable and I can live with it. For life.

Best to you in accomplishing your own goals!

This thread is so full of wisdom...

Although I count calories, I had never thought of it as being calming--but it IS. Thank-you to those who pointed that out.

You know when you count calories (whether guestimating or measuring/weighing) that you can eat anything as long as you include it in your intake. Means never having to say never to any particular food, and if you indulge in something, rather than it being an OMG binge, it can be part of the plan.

It's a very freeing way to live and those posting here really captured that feeling.