It's been about 2 weeks since I've been seriously counting calories. But, I see that some of you watch your % of protein/carb/fiber etc...

My question is this:

Does it really make much of difference? I mean, isn't a calorie a calorie and as long as you have a caloric deficit (eating less than you burn) then you'll lose weight. OR...for those of you who do watch the %'s...do you notice a difference when you watch those %'s to when you might not?

Thanks for your help/input!!

I don't really track the protein/carb/fat ratios but I do try to eat low-fat foods. A calorie = a calorie but are you eating healthy or just eating? I'm trying to make sure that I eat my fruits and veggies and all that stuff instead of just eating low-cal processed or convenience foods. (Although I do really like those 100 Calorie Packs from Nabisco!)

Kimberly

I'm definitely eating healthy...but I know I could be eating cleaner.

I eat low-fat. I have lean proteins or if I do have a red meat I always eat very little of it. My big problem is carbs. I'm always over with my carbs by the end of the day.

But, I do stay within my calorie range and I know I'm eating healthy. I wonder...if I were to really watch my ratios that would make the difference I'm looking for?

Carbs just don't keep me full. After a short time I feel weary and have the munchies for more carbs. So I try to keep my percentages at about 40 protein, 40 carbs and 20 fats. It works for me. I feel good then.

As for a calorie being a calorie ... yes indeed. You could eat 1300 cals of donuts and you'd lose weight.

Do you have a fitday account?

I don't have a fitday account. I've been using an excel spreadsheet (a template that came with the program that I tweaked) and I use various different websites for calorie counts. Or, if I'm cooking from a Cooking Light recipe (which is most of the time) I get the counts from the recipe since they list them at the end.

I should look into fitday since it's free. I just like the idea of having something on my computer rather than web based in the event that I'm not online I won't be without my log. I downloaded a free version of calorie king's program and I've been using that and starting to get used to it. I have a few more days to decide whether to pay for the convenience of not having to be online to log my foods.

Anyway...

Susan, you make an interesting point about the donuts. But I'm sure there's got to be a difference between what the person who lost weight with that type of diet looks like versus someone who ate cleaner. Don't ya think?

I dunno...I'm very frustrated right now.

The difference is that the person who just eats donuts is hungry all the time, (and definitely needs to take a multivitamin) but if the calories are the same both people lose the same amount of weight.

I don't watch my carbs/protein/fat grams/every little thing like some of those who are super obsessed here do. (Just joking!) The only real complicated number I look at is calories.

What I do, is try to aim for certain nutritional goals during the day instead-rather than focusing on a million numbers and trying to get all those percentages right. If you want to do all that, fine-but I am a mom of young kids, I work at home, and I am a performer-and I just don't have the time.

I aim to have 5 servings of fruits/veggies per day, 6-8 glasses of water, a couple servings of lean protein, and a couple of skim dairy or other calcium rich food. I choose oatmeal and high fiber cereals and whole grains over processed as well. I find that with my food choices and eating the fruits/veggies/whole grains gives me plenty of fiber without having to add it all up. I also find that by eating 5 fruits and veggies-I don't have room in my calorie budget for junky processed foods-so by simply setting a couple goals, I don't have to add and keep track of so many numbers. The foods I choose to eat are naturally lower in fat-so I don't have to worry about that, either.

My vote-keep it simple!

I have found that when I started eating foods that had more nutritional value that I felt better! I have more energy during the day and don't come home and need to sleep! I used to inhale something like a bag of fritos and some caramels as a mid-afternoon snack. Now I eat some fruit, or cottage cheese or a healthy granola bar, or even full-fledged cheese and I FEEL BETTER. Protein and fiber do really seem to make a difference. This was a groundbreaking discovery for me.

As for tracking. I think I have evolved a system that is balanced, but I didn't try to get everything right in the beginning. Now I know what foods I need to achieve the kind of balance I want. I keep those foods around and eat them. I would have been overwhelmed to do everything at once, but find that tracking things in nutridiary (I use it over fitday) actually makes it easy. "Oh wow, I'm low in vitamin C. I'll have some pineapple!" I hear what aphil says aout keeping it simple, but for me, letting the computer do the work makes it simple.

Super obsessed? Who me? ... ahem! Guilty!
I probably should also say that nutrients and percentages are something I learned over time. It's certainly not one of the first things I implemented.

I would like to add, that I still do a handwritten journal to keep track of my food and exercise, rather than using FitDay or another computer calculating program to do so.

We often camp for weekends in the summer, and I often go out of town for performances and workshops-so there are often times where I am not at my computer at all for 2-3 days. Using Fitday is wonderful for those who have the constant access, or who carry laptops when they travel-but it isn't as feasable for me with my schedule and occupations.

Not having email or coming here for 2 days isn't an issue, but not having access to my food and exercise journal for 2 days would be, for me-so Fitday and other online programs aren't the best fit for me and my lifestyle.

I can just pop the journal in my bag, and take my calorie counts with me.

That's why I like the BalanceLog program. I always have my PDA with me. I swear it is half my brain. I normally log everything on the computer since I sit in front of this thing all day, but if we go out I like the convenience to log in it the PDA.

Kimberly

I don't have a PDA...I didn't even get a cell phone until a few months ago when my husband left town for his new job, and we started going through the long distance relocation process.
I won't spend the $$ on electronics type things very much...but I will drop cash easily for costume goodies.

I watch my percentages, but am not obsessed with them. With fat at 9cals/gm and everything else at 4cal/gm, I can eat more for less calories....always a plus for me. I was trying to explain to dh that if he is hungry with the number of calories he is eating it is because he is eating the wrong kind of calories. Higher fiber will also keep you filled longer. I fidn that the days that I eat 30+ gms of fiber, I eat much less and am more satisfied.

Thank you thank you thank you!!!

Everyone - you surely all put this whole thing into perspective for me and gave me a lot to think about.

I think I will start out with a combo of what aphil said about keeping it simple and keep my eye on the calories first. And, I'll do what wyllen said and start to set some "food goals" for myself. I'll see where that takes me and then go from there.

I spoke to my trainer today and he told me that it does matter where your getting your calories from...that each macro nutrient gets stored and used by our bodies differently. SusanB, I gave him the example of the donuts and he said that person would still lose weight but would more than likely be more flabby (not to mention unhealthy!) than someone at the same weight but who ate the proper ratios. So, getting the proper ratio can be the tipping point.

I definitely make healthy choices that fit into my lifestyle and my tolerance level. But there's always room for improvement. I feel like I've come so far in this journey that I want to be sure to set myself up for a lifetime of healthy eating.

Thanks again...everyone has been so helpful to me in my short time here. I really appreciate it!!

I think all of the smart things to say have been said already, but I'll add my 2 cents. I lost weight before successfully counting only calories and paying no attention to percentages/nutrients. This time around, my mindset is much different. I try to lurk around the maintainer's forums a lot because I know what worked for them to get it off and keep it off will be good advice for me. You will notice so many of them lift weights, and have high protein intake. Of course, they all generally eat a lot healther a greater percentage of the time than I have yet to accomplish, but I think it's worth noting anyways.

I think it's all part of a process, and if you can lose eating 1300 calories of whatever you want every day AND keep it up, then go for it. But if you start slipping up or maybe are doing good and are ready for the next "step" than start taking a look at fat and protein. It's taken me a while, so I certainly wouldn't suggest it's easy to get in to. Good luck with it all, there is lots of support and valuable information to be had here