The New & Improved Calorie Count Dashboard

As you may have noticed, we revamped our dashboard to make it even easier for you to track your calorie intake and expenditure. On the new dashboard you will see ‘Food’ = calories you eat, ‘Activity’ = the calories you burn through logged exercise, and ‘Remaining ‘= how many calories you have left in your calorie budget to eat for the day. The ‘Remaining’ calorie number is based on what your target intake is set to plus any logged activity which would allow for an increase in your allotted calories. Technically, you want to aim for zero remaining calories at the end of the day to ensure you are not over or under -eating.  

Previously, we had incorporated an activity level which estimated the amount of calories you would burn every day on a baseline level. While it is accurate your body requires a certain number of calories at rest, it is a variable, often inaccurate calculation. Because we want to make things as simple and clear as possible for you, we have removed that number from our dashboard and analysis pages. However, if you were used to the old format, you can switch back by clicking the link on your dashboard.

Added: March 9, 2012 - 9:26am

As you may have noticed, we have incorporated the new design into the Old Dashboard experience. We now also offer a toggle version that allows you to see Net or Remaining calories depending on your preference/or to see both. The selection that you make there affects what your analysis graph displays for you. We've also exposed the water logger and added a date widget. We are listening to your feedback and are doing all we can to ensure you have tools that work for you.

Hi, I wanted to go back to the new dashboard, funny today everything looks okay again! I'm still on the old dashboard, I still don't have the link under the welcome part to go back to the new dashboard, but it looks ok again.

Original Post by laura_ingalls:

Huh, I'm using the old design still, and the link to go to the new design is still right under the Welcome, Name part. The link goes to this: http://caloriecount.about.com/cc/account/inde x.php?newDash=1

So maybe if you click that, it would work for you?

Thank you! yes! that worked :)

I see they made more changes to the  new dashboard.

ok but where's this dashboard

If you click on the tab at the top of your CC screen which says "Calorie Camp" and then click on "Dashboard" -- you will be at your dashboard.  If you then click this link: Switch back to the old Design -- then you will have the old dashboard.

BTW -- the old Design is no better than the new design with "Net Calories Remaining" -- they have exactly the same features.

Original Post by antiquenerd:

This doesn't make sense.  I have a daily goal of eating 1500 calories.  According to this, I should be eating another 761 calories because of my logged activities. 

If I eat another 761 calories, then I will not have a deficit and I will not lose any weight.

This is not logical.  The graphics are designed for people maintaining their weight instead of dieters. 

**This post is regarding the new iphone app format/layout with the new addition of the food + logged = total and remaining calorie crap*  I am having the same issue and therefore HATE the new dashboard.  Just give me what i've burned (total, not just my logged) and what i've eaten so I can see a simple surplus or deficit.  Today I spend 10 hours working at a horse barn and burned approximately 1500 cals on top of my normal light activity rate for a total of about 2500 cals burned.  I had eaten 1000 calls.  the old dashboard (weight scale graphic thing) had my deficit at -1500.  The new dashboard had my food at 1000, logged activity at 1500 and my total at -1000.  It then told me hta I had 1971 calories left to eat.  How is this possible?  That would mean i would be eating 2900 calories while only burning 2500 and set to gain weight?

get rid of the new dashboard it doesn't make any sense!

Why are you separating out logged from daily total when that is the number that matters.  The remaining number would make more sense, if we were able to select how big of a deficit we wanted for the day.  For example, lets say you don't want more than a 500 cal deficit per day and your have a 1000 cal deficit, your remaining cals to eat would be 500 (regardless of whether you met or exceed your goal intake for the day)

I prefer seeing the net calories compared to the calories remaining.

Wow, what a terrible improvement.  It took me twenty minutes to figure out the logic of what you are trying do display.  I thought Calorie count was as close to the perfect website as you could get, now that is out the window.  I deal with data all day long and you are forcing your logic on how we should want to see the day's information.  I only care about net calories.  I don't want it adjusted to show how far above or below a pound a week loss, I am. I can do the math in my head of where I want to be.  But telling me to eat 265 more calories gives me nothing of value.  I have lost 47 lbs using Calorie count for everything I eat and do.  I am going to start looking for another site, just in case I am stuck with this.

Rick

Rick, you can toggle back and forth on the new dashboard as many times as you want between calories remaining and net calories. You aren't stuck with anything. You get to pick. The ability to choose one or the other is very valuable since there are people who are trying to maintain their weight rather than lose or gain. 

Thanks, CC, for doing your best to serve the needs of so many different groups of people. And all for free, too!! :)

With the new way, I have gained weight. As of now, I'm using CC to document weight loss and find calorie values only. Still haven't found another site, but I'm looking too.

Original Post by jan055:

I don't want to eat more, I want to eat exactly my target calories. The counter should match to your target.

How about a dump to excel option too? Thx

Good point.  I would prefer the target calories be the target as well.  I do know that there is a bar under the pie chart in the Analysis screen that colors the portion of your target calories that you have eaten.  I like that but would prefer to see it on my Food Log, where it is most relevant, along with the difference calculated (target calories minus calories eaten today).

Original Post by rebuke49:

With the new way, I have gained weight. As of now, I'm using CC to document weight loss and find calorie values only. Still haven't found another site, but I'm looking too.

You absolutely cannot blame CC dashboard format if you have gained weight.  Well, you can -- but it's not real.

You have had, since about week 3, the OPTION to toggle from remaining calories to NET calories -- it is on the screen of your dashboard.  If you chose NOT to do that, and eat beyond your remaining calories (because really, if you zero out your remaining you will MAINTAIN, not gain), then that is on you, not CC.

If you didn't like the new dashboard, the option to switch back to the old has been there almost as long as this thread has been going on.  I know I have, and others as well, posted instructions and links many times on how to switch back to the old dashboard if you so choose.  Here it is again: Switch back to the old Design If you chose to use this, you may have to reload your page or restart CC.

this is not directed at the quoted OP specifically

I gain weight, I lose weight -- I have all my life (and I'm old) -- I gain when I eat too much and I lose when I don't.  Although I do log my food and find CC pretty invaluable for that, the dashboard is a convenience for me (I understand, not for all) -- all I really care about is how many calories did I put in my body. 

If you have been doing this for more than about 5 mins, you know what your basic burn is (regardless of whether you add exercise) -- because you filled out your account.  If you know that number all you have to do is eat less than that -- whether its 5 calories less or 500 calories less -- as long as it is LESS (and you only need a total for that, not a program that TELLS you it's less), and still more than the minimum recommended -- then you are on your way.

Burn more than you eat -- that's the secret. I want to say, 'it's that easy' but I know it's not; however, it is the basis and you actually do not need the computer to tell you your deficit -- if the computer has already told you that you burn 1825 per day (with or without exercise), and then your food log says you ate 1752 -- that's a deficit.

I could say more, but I have, no doubt, lost my target audience at this stage.  Sorry, I know it's TL;DR.

Original Post by coach_k:

Original Post by rebuke49:

With the new way, I have gained weight. As of now, I'm using CC to document weight loss and find calorie values only. Still haven't found another site, but I'm looking too.

You absolutely cannot blame CC dashboard format if you have gained weight.  Well, you can -- but it's not real.

You have had, since about week 3, the OPTION to toggle from remaining calories to NET calories -- it is on the screen of your dashboard.  If you chose NOT to do that, and eat beyond your remaining calories (because really, if you zero out your remaining you will MAINTAIN, not gain), then that is on you, not CC.

If you didn't like the new dashboard, the option to switch back to the old has been there almost as long as this thread has been going on.  I know I have, and others as well, posted instructions and links many times on how to switch back to the old dashboard if you so choose.  Here it is again: Switch back to the old Design If you chose to use this, you may have to reload your page or restart CC.

this is not directed at the quoted OP specifically

I gain weight, I lose weight -- I have all my life (and I'm old) -- I gain when I eat too much and I lose when I don't.  Although I do log my food and find CC pretty invaluable for that, the dashboard is a convenience for me (I understand, not for all) -- all I really care about is how many calories did I put in my body. 

If you have been doing this for more than about 5 mins, you know what your basic burn is (regardless of whether you add exercise) -- because you filled out your account.  If you know that number all you have to do is eat less than that -- whether its 5 calories less or 500 calories less -- as long as it is LESS (and you only need a total for that, not a program that TELLS you it's less), and still more than the minimum recommended -- then you are on your way.

Burn more than you eat -- that's the secret. I want to say, 'it's that easy' but I know it's not; however, it is the basis and you actually do not need the computer to tell you your deficit -- if the computer has already told you that you burn 1825 per day (with or without exercise), and then your food log says you ate 1752 -- that's a deficit.

I could say more, but I have, no doubt, lost my target audience at this stage.  Sorry, I know it's TL;DR.

^^this^^ and kudos Coach!

Morning Rachel,

     I started with C.C. going on 5 weeks ago.  It would be nice to see the water glass next to the food logger as many have suggested. Also I do not understand why my home page reads as my having  completed only one week,how do I correct that?

 thanks. Eleanor    

Can someone explain to me how to change my calorie goal?  I have been just working on the 2000 calories average which has helped me lose weight for this first month, but the recommendation for my weight loss is lower than that and I don't know how to change it. 

Hi Eleanor. Thanks for the feedback. I see you as being on Week 4. If you are still having an issue - please PM me!

Original Post by skil829757939:

Can someone explain to me how to change my calorie goal?  I have been just working on the 2000 calories average which has helped me lose weight for this first month, but the recommendation for my weight loss is lower than that and I don't know how to change it. 

Hi - If you go to your Account Settings page: http://caloriecount.about.com/cc/account/edit .php you can alter your Target Daily Calories. Have a great day!

Original Post by tamji:

Original Post by antiquenerd:

This doesn't make sense.  I have a daily goal of eating 1500 calories.  According to this, I should be eating another 761 calories because of my logged activities. 

If I eat another 761 calories, then I will not have a deficit and I will not lose any weight.

This is not logical.  The graphics are designed for people maintaining their weight instead of dieters. 

EXACTLY.

I don't like this at all!  I finally tweaked my stats to be eating my BMR, and with my activities I've been at a deficit of -600 to -900.  This new format is telling me I have another 356 cals to eat today (????)

I FEEL THE SAME.

I don't get it, and many others don't either... but there are no answers anywhere...

Would Someone please explain this to us :)