This week brought two more calorie counting success stories. One is our very own friend Clyde, who is carefully eating his way to 1300 calories per day. Seems a little low for a big fellow, but I can't argue with the results, as Clyde has again lost 3 pounds, on top of several weeks of losses. Way to go, Clyde!
And then there's Christine, a woman who made national news this week for following what is being called the "Starbucks Diet." She's a 66 year old, 5'4" woman who reports dropping from 190 to 114 after two years of eating three means a day at the coffee chain. No, it's not a caffeine supercharged metabolism, but the calorie counts that explain her success. Items like oatmeal, fruit and cheese trays, and panini sandwiches keep her daily intake below 900 calories. Again, it seems like this diet is below a sensible calorie level, and the lack of variety risks malnutrition, but I don't really have a good moral standing from which to judge.
I succeed when I follow calorie counts, but can't seem to sustain that strategy. Usually it goes well for a while, and then I spend a few hundred calories on something my body finds addictive - chips, pretzels, sweets, etc. - and before I know it, I'm off track. Pure calorie counting advocates say it doesn't matter where the calories come from. Some hedge with healthy food strategies, while also counting.
My question to you, and I really am asking...how have you sustained a calorie counting approach? Do you allow all foods as long as you can budget for the calories...or focus on healthy foods...or eliminate some less healthy foods?
Have a great week everybody!
5 comments:
Hi, Alan,
I have calorie counted for 18 months now. I chart everything basically and skipped only a few days through it all. It is now a habit. It was hard to get really started, but once I did, little effort. I am in the habit of tallying up my daily food counts thorough out the day. This really helps me to know how many calories I have left.
For me my system is just paper and pencil. It is easy and always with me. I am pretty good now about knowing what foods = so many calories. If I don't I check online.
Michele
Well, Mr. Alan. I don't know if Seattle won that game, but the Cowboys SURE did lose it. UGH. No really saw some really positive things outta those Hawks, you should be pleased. I however am in the post game slump that is being a Boys fan. Oh well. And the Eagles won, too? You should be over joyed.
I track track track everything, or at least make it my goal to. I use the Lose it App on my phone. Gotta do it.
I don't count calories. The only time I ever pay attention to them is when I'm tempted by something in the store. Then I read the nutritional info--checking serving size, calories per serving, carbs and sodium. That is enough to keep me from buying most junk that calls my name.
Thanks, dude. It is working for me, but I don't believe in junk calories. I can have a snickers bar, but that induces a sugar-thing that will make me want one tomorrow. I can have a Big Mac with almost no veg or nutrients or I can have a foot-long subway with tons of veg ( and meat).
And Doc is right (as usual) , track everything and you are more likely to stay on track.
Adding my 2 Cents a little late...
I've had some success counting everything both in loss and maintenance. I use My fitness pal .com
I do find that I tend to underestimate my food calories and the tracker tends to over estimate the amount burned during a walk. I do like tracking for times where I need to buckle down, see the carb amount (<100g for loss).
Tracking keeps me from snacking at night, too. Helpful on that front.
I also needed to eliminate some foods completely this time around. Gluten and processed sugar. I was tracking my food when I realized that this was the case.
good luck. I don't think you can go wrong with tracking and I think you can learn a lot, about food, intake, calorie burn and weight.
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