Counting Calories?
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| Wed, 07-04-2007 - 11:51pm |
Do you ladies do it?
There was talk in the eating everything in sight thread about calorie intake - in which they are so right... I did eat an enormous amount that day prob a couple hundred more than I usually do... which made me wonder... how many of us are counting calories? Roughly keeping track? Not paying attention at alL?!??!
One thing I've liked about SB is that even though the WL in phase 2 has been slow, it's not an "obsessive" diet for me.. more like a plan and I felt pretty good about sticking with healthy foods the day I was gorging and I really don't want to have to get too involved... like with calorie counting, carb counting (as other diets would have you do Atkins is it?), or points.
How successful it is to just maintain reg portions and stick with the foods to enjoy list? Long term that is. I know there are mishaps, birthday parties, the occasional bite of cookie dough and I guess I was considering this plan for life and that those things are a part of life... is that going to sabotage me?
Thoughts?







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I find that I am not counting calories -- I too wanted to get away from weighing, measuring, counting points, etc. But I do find that I am a lot more "aware". I know I have to get in my 2 dairy (hard for me), and 2-3 grains and 2 fruits. Those are sort of counted I guess.
Where I find I am more aware is the type of food -- I do watch the fat grams in grains, as some crackers have double of what others do, so opt for the lower. I'm not a huge beef eater, but find that if I plan a steak or burger for dinner that I have fish/tuna or chicken, or even a vegetarian lunch w/beans (chili, or add to salad) and maybe FF cottage cheese for breakfast for protein.
And I try not to have 2 beef nights in a row -- if we have steak one night, try to balance it with fish the next and chicken the rest of the week, or something lower fat. I usually only have beef once a week -- twice occassionally but not often and try to load the veggies in with it.
So while I don't really count calories, I am more aware of the portion size and the overall fat content of the meal. I am finding this a really "liveable" way to do things -- can't stand to weigh and measure everything! I do keep a basic food diary, though -- decided to do that through the weight loss phase, in case any issues arise I know what I have done food/exercise -- it is simple, at the end of the day just jot down what I ate in a booklet.
Hopefully my babbling made a little sense -- it seems to work for me!
Sue
Hi,
I think that if you are happy with your rate of loss you shouldn't be worrying about calorie counting.
How successful it is to just maintain reg portions and stick with the foods to enjoy list? Long term that is. I know there are mishaps, birthday parties, the occasional bite of cookie dough and I guess I was considering this plan for life and that those things are a part of life... is that going to sabotage me?
Jennie - I've been very successful by just following the basic SBD rules. As you say, I just maintained regular portions and stuck with the foods to enjoy lists. Yes, there are occasional bumps in the road...birthdays, weak moments, vacations, etc. Afterwards, I get right back on track and I'm fine. Minor slipups won't sabotage you as long as you get back to your good eating habits. As far as calorie counting goes, I never did it. I do, however, control the amount of foods that I know are more calorie dense and fill in with lots of veggies.
HTH,
Hi Jennie,
I'm like you, I don't want to feel like I'm dieting, just making healthy choices. I definitely do not count calories, but I do practice portion control, measuring most of my foods that are limited (i.e. 1/2 cup brown rice, 2 Tbl. salad dressing, 1 c. dairy, etc.). I do keep the plan that Cathy's nutritionist devised printed out in my kitchen just to eyeball every once in awhile, to sorta give me a mental nudge. Here it is, in case you're interested:
Breakfast (aim for about 300 calories)
1 slice toast or 1/2 cup Uncle Sams
1 fruit
1 cup skim milk or 1 cup yogurt
1 egg (optional)
Snack: (aim for about 100 calories)
Fruit & 1 string cheese
Lunch: (aim between 300 to 400 calories)
1 slice bread or 1/2 cup starch
2 to 3 ounces protein
veggies or salad with 1 Tbs. lite dressing
1 cup milk
Snack: (aim for 100 calories)
whole wheat pita & 2 tbs. hummus
Dinner: (aim for 350 to 500 calories)
1/2 cup starch
3 to 4 ounces protein
Salad &/or veggies
I've never counted calories except out of curiosity. A lot of people come here to the board and ask questions about it - so in the past I have sat down and counted my average calories for a day. But it was only for other people's benefit - not mine. People are constantly insisting that weight loss is all about calories - you have to eat like 1200 or 1400 calories to lose weight, etc. I ate WAY more than that while I was on phase 2 and way, way more than that on phase 3 to maintain.
On phase 2 I generally ate 1600-1800 calories. But see, there is something I KNOW about myself. If I try to limit portions AT ALL - I will fail. Its much better for my personality to just have an extra serving of something legal or have a huge portion of a SBD-friendly food than to try and "limit" portions and then binge on donuts or something. Mentally as soon as I try and tell myself " you CAN'T have that" - then I go crazy and WANT it more. I'm so rebellious LOL.
But honestly I think you did fine yesterday. Way, way better to have tons of extra SBD-friendly food than binge and have the chili cheese dog. Try not to listen to the "calorie police". I never, ever did. I still don't. Heck I eat well over 2000 calories per day (probably about 2200 on average) In the long run you will do more damage to your metabolism by eat TOO LITTLE calories than by having an occasional day when you have some extra calories, yet they are all SBD friendly foods.
belizesig1
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Sue -
I try and do that too - splitting up the meats - it's really helpful that we do our spreadsheet meal planner for the week. I try and get in a noodle, ground turkey, steak, fish , and 2 chickens.
Train up a child according to his bent...
you know, I am happy with my rate of loss. I was at the same number for a long time, but that's normal isn't it?? I lost a big chunk 4.5 lbs even in week 1 on phase 2 and I haven't gained an ounce of that back in 9 weeks...and have started losing again. I think 19 lbs in 11 weeks is good by any standard isn't it??
I also don't feel deprived. I eat when I am hungry, don't go hungry and have tried out some great recipes. I know my family feels well fed too!
Train up a child according to his bent...
Train up a child according to his bent...
You know, the days I practice any form of control is a good day! lol
I like that list - it's going to be very helpful taped to my fridge!!! Thank you!
Train up a child according to his bent...
**In the long run you will do more damage to your metabolism by eat TOO LITTLE calories than by having an occasional day when you have some extra calories, yet they are all SBD friendly foods.**
See, that's what I was thinking. My stomach was growling on empty that day - like 1.5 hours after I'd eaten... so I was telling myself in attempts to stay on SB friendly foods that surely I was "losing" weight that day and I needed extra fuel to keep the fire going... so to speak. lol I sure how it was true.
I'm feeling pretty good this week - a loss last week sure helped!!!
Train up a child according to his bent...
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