calorie counters??

[m4star]

Just curious if any of you count calories (not WW points)? Do you find it helps or hurts your efforts to stay fit?

[emilycat]

Hmm...
Well, I often estimate calories, just to sort of regulate that I eat about the same amount each day, but I have some obsessive-compulsive tendencies, and I find that being very rigid about it drives me absolutely nuts. It's been a huge habit to break, and I consider it a great accomplishment to not be so dependent on the numbers anymore (now if I could just toss the scale....)

[Seattlegirl99]

Since the beginning of February I started my own type of "diet" - I used CL's daily nutrition guide to determine what I should be eating - and started keeping a daily journal of what I ate and how many calories, protein grams, saturated fat grams, carbs...etc. I consumed. With journaling, on average I lost about 1.5 lbs per week and continue to feel great. So far I have lost 6 lbs. I have tons of energy and now all of my clothes are starting to fit great. Previously, I was grossly overeating in the carbs category. I have never felt better and I get to eat what I want to eat within reason. The only downside is that I was writing all of this down on paper - but last weekend I discovered a Palm Pilot version of a diet/calorie/exercise log ($49) from www.healthetech.com. (http://www.healthetech.com.) It works great! Can't wait for bathing suit weather!

[hhcowgirl]

I definitely count calories; I started my junior year of college and lost 20 pounds. Now it has just become habit. I would like to, like Emilycat has done, some day get away from the numbers, but I find that if I ever do, I start to get a little too lax and find myself starting to gain weight.

[lindrusso]

I try and try to count calories, but I get so frustrated!!! It's hard when you're eating out (at someone's home or at a restaurant) and have to guesstimate. Not that I eat out all that often, but this is usually what throws me off track.

I even have software on the computer to help me, but the amount of info is still limited.

Do you all try to be as accurate as possible? For instance, I made these peanut butter cookies with a mini PB cup in the middle. These won't be on my software - do I take the time (this is the part I HATE) to log it into Mastercook to figure it out, or do I just pick similar things off the list and make a good estimate?

I guess I feel like it takes so much time! How does Weight Watchers differ?

I checked out the software that seattlegirl mentioned - very tempting. I just bought a Palm and this would be great! At $50, I'd better not - I'm not even using the program I already bought!!!

[aggie94]

Seattlegirl99:

Thanks for the info! I just got a visor for my birthday and the dietlog bundle looks like a great addition.

[BevP]

I count exchanges. I loosly follow the ADA and try for the proper number of exchanges. I HATE counting calories! For me, this works and I don't feel restricted or controlled by the food.

[MelissaAS]

I am in an exercise/weight management study (2 years!) that requires food diary and calorie counting. At first it was a real burden, but I've gotten used to it in the past 6 weeks. I have done the WW point thing in the past, and it is easier, but in the end the program as a whole didn't work for me.

Now I count calories and fat grams (current prescription is 1200 calories and 26 fat grams/day- keeping fat at less than 20% of total calories) and I have had great success! 11 pounds in 6 weeks (of course, exercise is involved too!). Basically I only find the counting a drag when recipes don't have nutrition information and I have to do the calculations for each ingredient then total and divide- more math than I've done in years.

[Tiger]

I've never counted calories. I find that difficult and time consuming.
I just try to eat a low-fat diet. ( nothing over 30% fat) and I exercise. I watch snacking and I'm happy as long as my clothes are fitting me well. If things start getting snug I just REALLY watch what I'm eating.