not counting calories

I've been thinking for a while now maybe I should just stop counting calories and just try to eat sensible portions of healthy food. This counting calories doesn't seem to be working for me. Has anyone else stopped counting and still managed to lose weight?

how is it "not working for you"?

I am kinda with ya on this one...I think it is a good guideline and in the beginning it helps one to understand exactly how many calories are in certain foods and portion sizes.  I think maybe the everyday weighing is worse though, that can be discouraging.  It can take some time to log everyday but I have just started utilizing the tagging tool so it takes less time.  I eat many of the same foods each day so it really helps me.  I know you probably know this but weight loss takes time and effort, it may seem like it is not working.  Do you exercise and do you have your activity level set right? Do you have a deficit that is gonna lead to weight loss or weight maintenance?  Just some suggestions that may help...it is your decision.

ps..just saw you have been a member for awhile now..so you probably know all I just suggested.

Original Post by davefiredancer19:

how is it "not working for you"?

 it's just it's become a complete chore and it's taking over my thoughts and making me feel guilty and frustrated.

It's totally possible.  Exchange calorie counting for a combination of healthy wholefoods (rather than highly processed ones), portion-control and some daily exercise.  That's how I maintain my weight.  

Ditto what gi-jane says: that is how I am working to LOSE my weight ever so slowly...

I've thought about doing this too. I think it's good to have an idea what your eating calorie wise so you don't over eat. But I've found losing weight a lot harder since I started keeping a log (I lost about 15 lbs before, on my own just by cutting out 'junk' food and adding more veggies/fruit to my diet...and just eating healthier in general). I seem to think about food all the time now, because I feel like I have to so I won't go over my calories. And that seems to lead to more cravings and me being hungry more...I think it's purely psychological...I tell myself I can't have it so all of the sudden I really want it...when I probably wouldn't have cared before. Anyways...I was thinking of just going back to how I was losing before (setting small 'healthy' eating habit goals each week/day)...since I haven't really lost any since I started keeping a log.

 

yeah i've had these thoughts too. i've been counting cals for about 2 years now, on and off. my biggest "issue" is that i don't measure all of my food exactly (as in, i don't weigh my food to the exact grams/ounces/etc). so that makes me wonder if i'm even doing it "right" or if it's even worth calculating/counting at all.

so, my advice is to just do what you feel is best for you - as long as you eat healthy, maintain portion control, and exercise regularly, it should be fine.  weight loss may come a tad bit slower (since you're not monitoring your cals as strictly), but a pound lost is still a pound lost, right??

I've been at this for 3 mo's yesterday and often feel what everyone's feeling.  I actually don't count at all on the weekends...  I often feel somewhat guilty about this, but get over it rather quickly.

The weight is coming off very slowly, but from what I'm hearing, that may be a blessing (it may give the saggy skin some time to tighten up).

I try to look at how healthy I am compared to 3 months ago.  I may not have lost a ton of weight, but I've gained a ton of self confidence and feel so much more engergized and isn't it?

Well, whatever you decide works best for yourself, know that we are here to support you.  You don't have to log calories to visit the forums and post journals