Does calorie counting actually work for you?

Hi, i recently lost 20 lbs, but gained back about 7 from chronic binging. I successfully lost weight before I started counting calories.

But ever since I started to count them, I have found myself being more restrictive, and missing out on foods I used to eat/like so I wouldnt go over my limit, which eventually led to those multiple binges.

I want to lose those extra pounds, but I don't know what to do now. What should really be done? And does counting work for you?

I think you need a mindset of what type of food you are binging on and determine if you are an emotional eater.  There is some truth in the fact that crunch foods are because you are stressed and that is why you choose doritos, potato chips and such. INSTEAD eat an apple.

A book I found useful about emotional eating and it helped me determine what my downfalls were is "LIFE IS HARD, FOOD IS EASY" by Linda Spangle.  She is a nutritionist that has been there in the weight category as OVER WEIGHT.  She runs a counseling clinic in CO? I think but she is wonderful.  I purchased this book from Amazon.com and she was the seller.  She personnally extended her email address to me and said to share.  If you want it PM me and I will give it to you.

I have loss 52 pounds since July 07, seems like a long time, but it has been consistent and slow and steady.  Calorie count and my diet support group TOPS.ORG has been great along with her book.  I have found that I have been successful.

Possibly try it and see. If you are interested in TOPS.ORG a local chapter for you to visit all you need to do is enter in your zip code.

Good luck. Take care and God Bless.

Original Post by freakybunny:

Hi again! I would be careful about equating binging with your body's need for certain nutrients. Often binging is emotional and part of an eating disorder -- a disorder I am personally in recovery from.

I don't know you or your situation, but if you are tempted to excuse binges as  physiological rather than psychological in nature you may delay your recovery and the work needed to uncover why you binge.

Again, I hope I am not coming across as judgemental or anything, I just have found that being real with myself and accepting others being real with me has helped me immensely!

Good luck!

 freakyb has touched on some truth here that I must agree with. Losing weight, restricting and bingeing are often seen as simply physical events; however, people are not just physical being, but also mental and spiritual beings. For me, counting calories, planning and logging my food, today has to involve some ice cream--and some anxiety.

I have found support on the Forums...as you see here...and in the Groups Emotional Eaters and Disordered Eaters in Recovery. Disordered Eaters is moderated by Mary Hartley the nutritionist on CC, and she can help you with specifics.

I actually find that calorie counting works really well for me.  I still eat chocolate and had nachos tonight for dinner but by using the calorie counting I just have a bit less and weigh how much I am having so instead of having probably 200 grams of doritos I only had 100.

The only times I feel tempted to binge are emotional times when I am tired or bored and I know that is why I am tempted to binge.  I eat better while calorie counting than what I did before as I am eating a more balanced diet as I always try to get a nutrition grade of at least B each day so that I don't just spend my calories on bad food.

Are you sure you aren't binge eating for more emotional reasons? Or boredom?