Is there anyone that only counts calories?

Is there anyone out there who only count calories and don't count fat grams or carbs? Does it make a difference in your weight loss?

I know the bottom line is calories in -> calories out, but does the amount of fat that the calories come from make a difference at all, even if you are staying within your goal? For example, say you need 1,500 calories to lose weight. If you ate 65 grams of fat that would be almost 40%. Keeping in mind this is not a low carb diet, so maybe the rest of the macro's would be like 40/40/20 (C/F/P). I've read that carbs and fat should be as far away from each other as possible, like you either do low carb or low fat. But I don't know how much truth is in that.

But back to my original question, how much does it matter how much fat you eat if you stay within your calorie goal?

I mostly just count calories.  I try to keep my protein at about 100 g per day because I do strength training.  Other than that, I no longer focus too hard on ratios but usually wind up at 50-25-25 carb-fat-protein which works well for me.  I'm a fruit/veg/grains girl so getting the carbs any lower than that isn't going to happen.

I only count calories or estimate portions when I can't count, never the ratio of macro nutrients. It's working so far, eating what I feel like. I'm only six weeks into it though and I haven't had access to any scales for a week and a half due to a business trip I'm currently on.

I want to learn to listen to my body and what it needs and not what my mind craves. I'm interested in the ratio however, I may go back into my food log and see what I average someday. Just not aiming for any special ratio.

I find it annoying enough to constantly count calories.  To do all that I would feel like I have to do algebra before each meal, lol.  I only count calories, and keep an eye on sodium, since I have a tendancy to retain water and go over in the sodium department.

I do, i never care about that other stuff, i just try to make sure my carb intake is under 55% and that my fiber is over 30.

I don't worry about fat too much. The only kind of fat that I get in my diet that I would worry about is cheese, the occasional choc treat. Most of my fat will come from things like egg yolks, nuts, flaxseeds, fish. 

I'm also trying to build muscle on a mostly veg diet with fish (im a pesky) so I'm always constantly thinking of protein. And I have noticed that if I limit my carbs I tend to not get as puffy. I don't fully eliminate my carbs but I'm more aware of the protein/carb ratio of the foods I eat. I would try to eat most of my carbs after a workout, but few carbs during the day.  It helps a little. Oh and I don't pay attention to calories anymore.

I only count calories but watch the sugar carbs.  the natural sugars are fine like in apples but the added in flavored coffee creamer is to be reduced for me.  I some time notice sodium but I typically can taste it if it's high, I'm not a salty foods person.

I like others only count calories because of this site, it does the math for me, I just have to click. If I didn't have this site I would be back to my old chubby ways. 

Original Post by arielgirl:

I find it annoying enough to constantly count calories. 

Same here.   No need to tie yourself up in complex equations.   I work on getting a reasonable/traditional balance of wholesome foods at each meal, as much variety as possible and try to keep the calorie count within 100 cals of my target.    Seems to work just fine

I count calories only.

Ive lost 108 .


Im 28 years old and ive prolly havent seen this weight since grade school like 5th grade LOL

from 262 to 154

I pretty much just count calories and, for the most part, eat the foods I like.  I couldn't stick to it if I didn't.  I do pull up the analysis report at the end of the day and usually find (except for sodium) that I'm right where I should be as far as fat, protein, etc., etc., go.  I really enjoy counting calories and making the entries.  Nothing goes in my mouth until it's weighed or measured.  I've lost 36 pounds since May 23rd, so it must be working.  But, of course, everyone is different.

I pretty much just count calories but I do try to ensure that my fat intake is not greater than 30% although it is usually between 20%-25%. As far as carbs, protein, sugar, etc., I don't bother counting any of that. I just make sure I eat a balanced diet. Just sticking with counting calories and watching the fat intake %, I have lost 40 lbs since June 1st.

I only count calories.

However, in ensuring that I am eating enough food and not getting hungry all the time, I have naturally gravitated to a lower fat, higher fiber diet.

This is the case simply because lower fat foods will have less calories - therefore, I can eat more and stay within my calorie budget.  My breakdown is almost always approximately 60/20/20 (C/P/F).

Some examples are replacing whole wheat bread (90-100 calories a slice) with oat bran pitas (60 calories), ground turkey instead of ground beef for tacos (less calories and less fat), switching to fat-free cheese (45 calories versus 80 for a serving), and so on.

I mainly count calories, but that's because I'm very familiar with the foods I eat on the daily basis. If I'm at the grocery store and see a new item, I read the ingredients first and then check the saturated fat, sugar and calories. If I'm ok with the ingredients then I'll buy it. I really make an attempt to keep my saturated fat levels down and I really don't like to see any cholesterol in anything I eat because I'm a vegetarian that is trying to give up egg and dairy. The fiber, protein and fat levels take care of themselves as long as I eat 1500-1800 calories a day.

If you have time check out these nutrition videos, they have a wealth of information in them like reading labels. 

http://nutritionbynatalie.com/

I count calories, try to eat mostly whole foods, and only really watch that the sugar for the day is less than 60 and the fiber is more than 25.  I have lost 65 pounds (halfway to goal!) since January.

I mostly count calories, but i try to make conscious and good decisions about what I eat.  I pay attention to things like fiber and whole grains and protein and thanks to the food log on this website, keeping track of those things is almost automatic.

You have to watch out though.  For a long time, I would eat something really unhealthy for lunch, like a Double Cheeseburger and fries from McDonald's. Then at dinner I would look at my calorie intake and think...welll I had too many for lunch so I will just skip dinner completely.  Then, after a while of that, I couldn't understand why I hadn't lost any weight.  Bad habit!

Now I understand that its not just about calories, its about making healthy choices all day long.

I cook for myself, and love veggies and fruits, so I just count calories.

UD

Original Post by res0kkw:

I count calories only.

Ive lost 108 .


Im 28 years old and ive prolly havent seen this weight since grade school like 5th grade LOL

from 262 to 154

That's awesome! You should be proud of yourself!