Does Calorie Count work?

Hey, I'm new here, and I was just wondering if there was anyone who really loves the calorie count idea, and whether or not it works.

I've just gotten out of a relationship that was centered around food and movies. He always told me I was beautiful, so I didn't have any reason to think I was fat. We would just cook, bake and eat. Now my BMI is at 25, which is overweight, and I need to get it down again! I don't look particularly overweight, I'm 5'7 and weigh 160, but I'd like to get down to 140, because I have a small frame and the weight just sits there.

I play tennis 3-4 times a week, and row 5 times a week, and lately I've been going to the gym and using the elliptical for half an hour. Beyond the daily burning calories I usually add 1000 extra on. I'm trying to keep my consumed calories under 1500, which is proving to be easier than I thought.

So, do you guys, in all your infinite wisdom, think I can shed the 20 pounds by July? Or is my goal to lofty? I'd like to get down to below 145 by grad at the end of June, and if I keep this up, I should (according to my mathmatics) lose 3 pounds a week.

So anyways, thanks for reading and/or replying, I really appreciate it!

Its recommended that you go at a 1-2 pound rate. I'd put yourself as "active" under the daily activity. If my own numbers are anything to go by, that'll put you around 2500 calories burned. Then, I'd eat around 1750.... I think 3 pounds a week is too much, but hey, whatever works for you.

Yes, calorie counting works.  It's just math. 

3500 calories = 1lbs fat

Burn 3500 more calories than you consume, you lose a pound.

Your goal of losing 3lbs a week is not healthy for someone of your size.  The "general rule" is not to try to lose more than 2lbs per week, but a more specific recommendation is not to try to lose more than 1% of your body weight per week.  So, 1.6lbs/week for you, to be safe and not risk starvation mode and losing muscle or organ tissue and all that stuff.  There are more complicated formulas to determine a healthy weight loss rate, based on body fat percentages and lean mass and stuff, but I haven't had a need to learn about them yet.

And, at 160 and 5'7, you're definitely not fat.   Make sure you actually have the weight to lose, with all that working out you sound like you have a lot of muscle!

Good luck. :]

I have lost 29 pounds since starting on april 3.   Then again my starting weight was 295.   It works.....how fast depends on your body.   For some people the weight just falls off, for others it takes a bit longer.  But it does eventually come off.   Good luck.  Even if it isnt gone by your goal date.....keep in mind that it will be in time for some other really great event in your life. 

Keep us posted on your progress.  :)

I started the 1st of February and as of today i have lost 15 pounds! I am 5'6'' and started at 157 and am now 142- so pretty close to you. Also trying to eat around 1500cals/day.  It works if you are willing to keep up the work of logging your cals and just watching yourself. Once you get going it's actually pretty easy and you feel so much better. You may not loose as fast as you want but even just a little loss can make a huge difference in how you feel and look.

Good luck!

Does counting calories work?

take a look at my profile gallery pictures.

down 91 lbs.

I have NEVER been able to lose a significant amount of weight until I found this site.

~H~

I think it depends on the person but i have to say

YES YES YES!!!

I've been overweight ever since i hit puberty(in 5th grade!).

This is the first time i have ever been able to lose weight.

I've lost 16.4 lbs since january 17th and i feel great.

I agree that 3lbs a week is too much.

I am a total advocate of phord's calorie calculator- its the most accurate one i have seen. Once i started following the reccomendations it gave me, the weight seemed to come off a little easier. That said, don't discount healthy eating, keeping hydrated etc.

www.phord.com/cc

I've only been doing the for a week now. I've lost 8 pounds.. Most of that is water. I'll start slowing down this coming week. I like the idea of going in and putting down everything you eat and not going over your limit. Somehow that helps me when I have numbers to look at and see how much I have left or how much I need to do. I sign on at work and at home to put my totals in. With it keeping track of my calories and my activities, that means less for me to count. Keep up the good work. Last Saturday (04/12/08), I weighed 203. This morning, I weighed 194.4. I'm 5'5" so I have a good bit to take off. But I'm getting there.

RE: Jennymary001

"I have lost 29 pounds since starting on april 3."

I know you said your starting weight was 295, but 29 lbs in two weeks...!, what are you doing do drop that much weight so quickly?  BE CAREFUL...that just doesn't sound healthy....

I think that this will work for you....  I have similar stats and 1500 calories a day is working well for me.... Just set a smaller goal and when you meet that goal set yourself another........

Yeah it works, I was skeptical too, I even responded on a post similar to yours where I questioned Calorie Counting...or CC for shorthand. Anyhow Ive lost 10 lbs so far. It truly does work if you stick with it and you have to calculate everything. Including drinks and snacks

Like everyone else said, it does work. I've lost about 17lb.

It definitely works, the only thing that will probably not work is to set yourself an exact goal date, in my opinion that is only putting yourself down for frustration and disappointment, I think what you'd better do is start doing the counting and the eating healthy and take the trip until you are where you want to be, but not set the goal at a certain date, you will love the results !!!