Tao

Counting calories, whether for weight maintenance or loss or even gain, is fine, and it was fine for me. It is OK as long as it is done as an estimate. But the more you do, the more obsessive you may become about the numbers. Eating just never feels like eating after you start meticulously counting. I personally felt like I was eating numbers, not food.

If you can, try to merely estimate how many calories you are taking in. Do not obsess about it. Dieting should never force you to count like an accountant in hopes of not going over your expenditure. Record generally what you like to eat, look up the general caloric values, and remember them. Eat when you are hungry, and eat slowly. I'm sure you've all heard this advice before, and it's to be read on every kind of health site or book.

But please, above all, do not become a calaccountant. It can lead to many psychological problems, like, in my case, a beginning stage of anorexia nervosa.

my58vw

I can not count calories...

I eat healthy and concentrate on how many calories I send out vis cycling, etc and not how many in. I can estimate but I really do not care. What is important is what I see on the scale every week.

Even weighting yourself on the scale can be obsesive... but it tells me how I am doing with water content, etc.

FOG

Calorie counting works very well for me. I can lose weight when I pay attention to calories, and cannot when I do not. I don't need Atkins, or South Park, or any other diet, if I only eat fewer calories than I burn. I use simple estimates of baseline calorie requirements, 15 calories*pounds/day, and add any intense exercise. I use estimates of running calories from a running guide, and guess at consumtion on a bike, as I seldom ride with computers. I use a lot of exercise machines, especially elliptical trainers, which provide direct calorie counts.

Bolo Grubb

I like using the "Weight Watchers" system of assigning points based on fat, fiber and calories.

This allows me to choose what I eat but helps to remind me to make better choices and keep the portions reasonable. Seems to work well for me.

Markedoc

Counting calories to me is like budgeting personal finances - I can't do either. I tend to be reasonable about what I eat, and tend not to waste money on things I don't need. Works well for me in both cases.

BigHit-Maniac

One word: Moderation.

MKRG

Moderation is unamerican.

my58vw

That is why americans are so overweight

Oh ya, I was at McDonalds picking up a hamburger for my dad and I noticved they do not have Supersize anymore... interesting!

Wulfheir

Everyone gets their motivation from different sources. Counting calories works for me, where it may not work for others. I have always viewed eating as refueling, and was never passionate about it.

MKRG

Not to turn thi into a McDonald's thread, but you can't get a small or regular serving of fries anymore. The smallest option is medium

my58vw

True... I eat because I have to eat. I will eat two meals a day and live off that. With my training I can not eat that small amount of food anymore, I need to eat 5 small meals a day...

Of course people who are really consious about their weight do not eat at Mc Donalds do they?

Ganesha

They just want to make sure you are staying below your anaerobic treshold.

MsMittens

I'd love to see a South Park diet. I bet it's Cartman yelling, "HEY! You owe me a sweetie pop, a$$hole!!"

"OMG! They killed Kenny by sitting on him!"



I have a warped little mind. I know.

my58vw

Ya I have trouble with that

Markedoc

Not that I eat there, but according to their web site, McDonalds does have a small french fry.

I actually think McD's decision to stop the Supersize is kind of foolish - where is people's self control?

Stannian

Because it takes about 15 minutes or so for your brain to realize that you are not hungry anymore. Eating slower would mean that you would more than likely eat less food, and fell less hungry afterwards. Moderation.

About the calorie counting thing. I definitely agree. I have stopped counting calories and I am a lot happier. I used to eat the numbers like you said, but now, I just eat when I'm hungry. I used to actually aviod eating certain foods that were definitely healthy, but I didn't know how many calories were in them. Kind of sad when I look back at it.

FXjohn

Why is it anyone's fault other than their own that they cram garbage down their throat and turn into fat slobs?

'nother

Oh, come on, you're just pissed about all of those pro fast-foodies in the "I can't get served on my bike at the McD's drive-thru" thread in A&S :-)

kf5nd

McD supersize is an EXCELLENT deal for the consumer... as long as two people share it!

Markedoc

It's the blame game - it's always someone else's fault!