counting calories

sickwitit · 08-Mar-05, 07:12 PM

just that question does any here count all there calories. And if so do you do while bulking or cutting or both

thecorple · 08-Mar-05, 07:24 PM

i just usually take a rough estimate, as when im chugging milk out the gallon, eating a peice of steak or a peice of chicken. i dont count my calories to precision though. when it comes to something like, out of the can, i can pretty much eye ball out a cup just from doing it for so long. and my body tells me im doing fine.

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Gilogy · 08-Mar-05, 08:10 PM

I count them all. I didn't when I first started my weight loss plan. Then I was introduced to Fitday.com and out of curiosity, started filling it out. I was shocked to see how far off some of my estimates were and it turned out to be a great reference when I hit a weight loss plateau (twice).

It's not that hard to maintain so I keep it up.

thecorple · 08-Mar-05, 08:12 PM

i always underestimate my calories since im trying to eat more.

Lift2Live · 08-Mar-05, 08:34 PM

I also count mine, bulking and cutting (even more so). I calculate to the exact calorie. You have to portion your food in such a way that you know exactly how much it is but it's a small price to pay.

08-Mar-05, 09:29 PM

For 9 months I kept a detailed food log and would record my calories, carb grams, protein grams and fat grams as best and as honest as I could.

I swear by this method. It creates rigorous honesty and eventually influences behavior to make intelligent food choices.

I've recently achieved my target weight so I have relaxed and am not currently logging. But the moment that I am 1 pound over the target weight for 3 consecutive days then the log will gone out of the closet and I will be right back on it.

sooner_ed · 08-Mar-05, 10:00 PM

I refuse to count calories. I have better things to do with my time. Many people swear by it. I lost 55 pounds in five months without counting one calorie. I have kept it off without counting one calorie. What works for me is just listening to my body. I know what my activity level is and my body certainly knows. I just eat enough to fuel my activity. But what works for one may not work for another.

mesomorph · 08-Mar-05, 11:18 PM

Congrats on the loss sooner! But how do you know that you actually eat enough to fuel your activity? Most people who plan to either gain or lose weight, cannot correctly estimate what they consume per day. They tend to over-estimate what they take in and under-estimate their activity levels. This means they will not be able to meet their needs. Granted, in the early stages it is quite easy to just limit foods and make significant steps toward weight loss targets. But it's when the diet and weight starts to plateau and losses no longer come in "bricks" but rather in "pebbles" that having a workable, functional knowledge of what goes into your mouth becomes the difference between losing 1 pound or 2 ounces. Spend the time to educate yourself. Don't look at it as a waste of time but rather gaining insight into what makes you function.

sooner_ed · 09-Mar-05, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mesomorph

Congrats on the loss sooner! But how do you know that you actually eat enough to fuel your activity? Most people who plan to either gain or lose weight, cannot correctly estimate what they consume per day. They tend to over-estimate what they take in and under-estimate their activity levels. This means they will not be able to meet their needs. Granted, in the early stages it is quite easy to just limit foods and make significant steps toward weight loss targets. But it's when the diet and weight starts to plateau and losses no longer come in "bricks" but rather in "pebbles" that having a workable, functional knowledge of what goes into your mouth becomes the difference between losing 1 pound or 2 ounces. Spend the time to educate yourself. Don't look at it as a waste of time but rather gaining insight into what makes you function.

Thank you mesomorph. For me, it's just a matter of doing one of several things:
1. Eat the same; exercise more
2. Eat less; exercise the same
3. Eat less; exercise more
4. Eat more; exercise more
When weight loss starts coming in "pebbles" rather than "bricks," your body is starting to tell you that you don't need to lose much more, if any more, weight. True enough, it could be a plateau, but that's when, in my opinion, you just take a break from it all, enjoy what you've accomplished up to that point, then hit it hard again. There are several ways to break through plateaus, most being through exercise.
As long as I'm eating healthy, I see no need to count calories. I know I'm not eating enough to fuel my activity when I have no energy before or during that activity. I learn from the experience and simply eat more the next time. I usually fuel my exercise activities with oatmeal, so it's a simple process for me.
But like I said before, what works for one may not work for another. I have reached my ideal weight and am maintaining it, so there is absolutely no need for me to count calories. I am now enjoying life with food like I never have before.
I appreciate your comment on my weight loss. It's time for me to get ready for work now so you have a great day!!

sickwitit · 09-Mar-05, 09:16 AM

i agree with sooner. You can go ahead and eat 6 times a day or whatever but you can tell how much your body can take. Like eating 3 meals (regular meals) that are 400 -500 calories and then 3 snacks a day you not count calories. If you eat healthy food and have a general guideline you would be alright. Everyone has a set point of calories where they become full for a man it's usually 400-500 calories ( if there healthy cals). Im trying the calorie counting thing for two weeks then just the eating healthy 6 tiems a day and goign to track progress from it. I'll see how much of a diffrence that it makes. And its only calories nothing like this much pro this much carbs this much fat, that to me is a bigger pain in the ass then counting calories. Any way you look at it eat less lose weight eat more gain weight, no supplements needed and simple as that.

skyman · 09-Mar-05, 11:00 AM

I did when I first started to find out exactally how bad my diet was. Once I got my diet straightened out, I basically eat the same things and know that i'm eating correctly. The only variant is the amount of beer I drink.

abear · 09-Mar-05, 01:16 PM

i count my calories all the time for cut, bulk or maintaining. only takes me like 2 mintues to total it up and write it down

armorforsleep · 09-Mar-05, 02:16 PM

i've always been on a dirty bulk so i make sure to meet my carb/protein needs, then its free play from there. when i start cutting however i will count very carefully.

Life · 09-Mar-05, 03:05 PM

I count, and usually just give a close estimate. However I try to be as accurate as possible whenever I can.

But when it comes to chicken or fish, I don't sit there and weigh the exact amount... and then calculate its caloric intake... I just give myself a rough idea and go from there...

Octagon · 09-Mar-05, 03:51 PM

Calorie logging is *extremely* useful. It not only forces you to pay attention to serving sizes, it also gets you in the habit of reading labels and believe me, that can be a real eye-opener.

I'll second the Fitday.com recommendation too. Like any software, it seems a little clunky at first but once you get used to it it's really handy.