I've never actually counted calories. Since I'm doing Weight Watchers, I've always just counted my points values. I've been very successful with that, but I do have to admit that lately I've been wondering about something. Namely, I've been wondering if my 29 points a day actually constitutes a healthy range of calories. It seems that some days, my 29 points leaves me hungry as **** and those are the days when I wonder -- hmmm, am I actually taking in sufficient calories?

But the thought of counting calories leaves me exhausted, to be honest. *L* And I don't have a fancy smartphone so I can't do apps -- although I guess Fitday or sites like that would do the same job.

I do find it exhausting. I think an exchange plan is simpler for ME... (say, 5oz lean protein, 3 servings veg, 1 serving fat for a dinner). But you can try different things and find what suits you the best.

Yes---and this is the main reason I do it. I am not a good estimator of how many times I can allow myself a treat and not gain. So, I have to rely on an external tool--in this case, calorie counting---to set the limits for me.

To me it's a trade-off: a bit of inconvenience involved in calorie counting vs. the freedom to eat more of the things I love regularly.

I hate it too. I try to write most of it down but I'm not as vigilant with it as I should be. I track (mentally or on paper) what I'm going to eat for the whole day, and the calorie count and stick to it as best I can. I usually do a pretty good job of sticking to it.
BUT I know it would be better to meticulously keep track on paper. One of my goals for this month is to try and do it more consistently.

^^^ This is what I do. I spent one afternoon planning a few different meals and writing down the calories. I rotate when I get bored. It makes sticking to plan easier cause as long as I'm eating the foods I've made for myself, I know I'm doing good for the day. It's a lot easier to be accountable when you KNOW that anything added throughout the day is over the limit. Having a planned list also makes shopping waaaay easier.

This is what I do as well. I never weigh anything or write anything down. I just ballpark it, round up, and keep the numbers in my head all day.

Yes, it's tedious and tends to make me feel insane. I also do that thing where I have some "left over" and feel OBLIGATED to eat more.

A year and some odd months of diet consciousness = I know about how many calories are in most foods, so I can estimate and approximate with some accuracy. I try not to get wrapped up too tightly in numbers crunching and I don't weigh or measure anything.

I agree with the OP that it was initially exhausting, but once you know values it becomes empowering. I know when exactly when I have leeway for a treat and don't beat myself up if I eat something unplanned for if I can adjust portions later to compensate.

Counting calories also makes it easier to go over your calories for the day without stressing out. If I go over, I will compensate the next day or throughout the week. I accept the day's indulgence without feeling guilty and move on. I don't find it tedious at all, and love that it is freeing.

I started calorie counting last Sunday. I've tried it off and on for a day or two at a time but I couldn't stick with it.

I do agree that it is tedious. I have an iPhone and have probably been through 10 different apps trying to find one that I like. I'm using MyNetDiary at the moment and like it. It also has an online site if you don't have a smart phone. I have the free version at the moment.

I have dropped almost 5 pounds since I started a week ago.
Although I find calorie counting to be a burden, it motivates me to exercise. The more you exercise or at least move, the more you can eat! (And I love to eat!)

My biggest problem with it is the fact that I'm on Meal Plan (the joy of college). If you have access to a kitchen, I think it would be a whole lot easier because you aren't dependent on what the school's options are (sigh...).

Best of luck!

I've been counting calories for almost 4 years now and find it very easy and a simple way to lose and now maintain a major weight loss. I guess for me, it was never really a burden or even exhausting, because the REAL burden and REAL exhaustion came to me from carrying 190 pounds of excess weight around. A few minutes of daily calculations has saved my life.

Everyone is different, so we all need to choose what works best for ourselves.

ditto to Lori Bell's post. i can't imagine going a day without counting. weighing and counting and tracking has become second nature to me.

We do a lot of harder or more time-consuming things in our lives that we don't question: No one says "I'm so tired of bathing, using deodorant brushing my teeth, and going to work - I think I'm going to give them all up."

I know that for myself, I don't get tired of food tracking now that I've reminded myself that it's not a chore, it's normal - just like brishing my teeth in the morning. If I forget one day, I don't say "darn I forgot to brush my teeth, darn I've blown it, what's the use, I might as well never brush my teeth again.

Nope, just a normal part of life, and once it becomes normal, it's no longer exhausting, but the first step really is seeing it as normal.

And I think that's the biggest killer of weight loss attempts - we want to feel normal - and food-consciousness is becoming more normal, but it's not considered normal yet, so we feel weird and self-conscious about it.

Wouldn't it be really cool, if weighing and calorie-counting were so normal that everyone did it? Right now there are digital scales small and portable enough to take to a restaurant (I want one). Maybe one day restaurant placemats will be digital scales that read out the calorie count and nutritional information of what you're eating, as you're eating it. That would be COOL!

I use MyNetDiary too. I love it... They even have Croatian dishes there. It's almost a game. I can add notes, my exercise, make a plan and modify it, LOVE it and it's free.... Though I did upgrade for the iPad. It's the only app I've paid for and I love it.

Thanks for all of the replies.

Today I have been so busy that I haven't had time to calorie count. However, since I have now realized how many calories are in foods I used to eat all the time, I make wiser choices. I think that is the important part. I used to eat a pint of Ben & Jerry's about once a month...nearly 1000 calories! YIKES! I really love the Skinny Cow and Weight Watchers ice creams. They satisfy you and you don't have to feel guilty eating them!