Calorie Counting WORKS!

[SapphicBander 1]

Don't fall for the 'I swear I'm not eating more than 1200 calories a day and I haven't lost a pound!'. It's an illusion when we don't want to admit we cheat. Oh this little hunk of cheese doesn't count...

I am now on my third month and calorie counting based on weight loss goal. I try to eat no more than 1400 calories a day and it's WORKING! I have lost a consistant 2 pounds or more a week!! However my band helps a great deal for willpower. And actually... SO DOES WATER! I just really dont have much room to put in extra food when i'm drinking so much Water.

I was a total non-believer but now I'm seeing results! I totally sound like an infomercial don't I? Oh well- just wanted to share!!!

[bambam31 168]

Congrats on your progress! It's very rewarding when a plan yields great results! Calorie counting does work and having a long term strategy for managing those calories works even better!

Brad

[isaviolinist 11]

Calories in vs out is science. There are many on lbt (and in general) who like to debate it (at which point I remove myself from the conversation...I can deal with a lot, but not enabling...I hate it). I count calories anally and make sure i'm at a significant deficit everyday and I lose weight steadily. When I'm not at a deficit I don't. It's a super simple formular - everyone should follow it (like really follow it...the Snacks at the supermarket and the tastes of food while you're cooking count as part of your daily calorie intake). Good thread!

[crecia1975 4]

I wasn't tracking my calories, but I was losing well. On the advice of isaviolinist, I started putting everything into Fitday.com. I started this to focus on my fat intake, but this helped me focus on my calories. Anything that goes into my mouth goes into my Fitday log....and I mean EVERYTHING. Tracking calories helps a great deal. I know some don't agree, but it is working for me so far.

[EquusEMS 0]

I use Livestrong.com's the daily plate function to count calories, it's great. I'm 15 days post op, and Im 16 lbs down, I'm trying to watch what I eat, and staying under 1200 calories.

Yes, the band does give you more willpower, that's for sure!

[Twinkles 7]

I swear by tracking calories. I also use Livestrong's Daily Plate. And I track every single thing that passes these lips. I think it contributes a lot to my success. I'm down 77 pounds since July 29th and I really feel that counting and being honest with everything I eat is a huge part of my success.

[isaviolinist 11]

Crecia1975 - I'm so glad that tracking your calories has helped you! That's awesome! I really do swear by my food logs. When I'm not logging my food, its because I don't want to think about what I'm eating at all.

[CalicoskiesNC 2]

ITA counting cals is important for me too. I use MY FITNESS PAL and I like that I can see how my nutrients measure up for the day too.

[Tadegolier 3]

Does anyone use an iPhone app to track their calories?

Thanks!!

[CalicoskiesNC 2]

I use my iPhone. The app I use is MY FITNESS PAL. I have tried 4 apps and this one I love. The recipe builder is easy to use, I have yet to search for a food that's not in the data base. Even my Wii exercises are listed in the exercise database.

[Stephy5 33]

This is great. Calorie counting is such a great way to go, but can be so hard to track during the day when at work or out and about.

I am trying to lose my weight pre surgery and I have found blackberry, android and I believe Iphone all have a great app called Calorie Counter by fat secret.

I highly recommend it. Very user friendly and has helped me ALOT.

Good luck and congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[baylakeaverys 0]

Calories in vs out is science. There are many on lbt (and in general) who like to debate it (at which point I remove myself from the conversation...I can deal with a lot, but not enabling...I hate it). I count calories anally and make sure i'm at a significant deficit everyday and I lose weight steadily. When I'm not at a deficit I don't. It's a super simple formular - everyone should follow it (like really follow it...the Snacks at the supermarket and the tastes of food while you're cooking count as part of your daily calorie intake). Good thread!

I am looking for some advice - I was losing before and now I am not. I know I need to refocus. How many calories do you aim for each day? I have asked my doctor and he will not give me a specific figure. Also, does anyone use a Blackberry to track this?

The last fill I had 6 months ago made the band so tight that I started eating slider foods (this made my band half full) and of course now I am not losing at all. I hesitate to have it filled any more. Would prefer to just get focused. Help!!

[Jachut 487]

Oh, it definitely does!

By nature, I'm an eat what I want when I want kinda person and with a band to control portions that's worked for me. I lost about 120lb without ever counting calories. I exercise a lot too but again, I do what I want, dont follow any plan.

but I had to have all my fill removed back in November for a big surgery and it cant go back in until the second surgery is over and done with in maybe six weeks but possibly 3 or 4 months. So I've been EXTREMELY careful not to gain and that's involved tracking calories.

Wow, its an eye opener. Firstly I've discovered I have a very normal, healthy metabolism and I can indeed eat 2000 calories a day to maintain my 135lbs. In fact with the exercise I can do I can eat about 2300. Tracking has given me permission to "eat" without stressing over what is going to happen - the math is right there, obey it, make it balance and you wont have a problem. But its a real eye opener how many little nibbles add up - took my daughter and her friend to the movies this morning. Two small handfuls from the popcorn box, seven small jelly snakes, a latte and there's 371 calories - WOW! I would have had calorie amnesia over that one - its in the dark, nobody saw me eat it, so it doesnt count, right? Makes me marvel I lost the weight I did becuase I would have done exactly the same with fill in my band too.

Its also amazing just how much portion size matters - because now I'm eating more normal sized meals - normal sized for a 135lb woman that is, not huge - its very darn easy to eat an 800 calorie dinner. All those little savings - fill up on salad, cut out the butter, low fat this or that which I didnt have to worry about with fill because portions were tiny, I now do.

But I am proud to say I have LOST weight with my band unfilled and have not regained any.

[isaviolinist 11]

I am looking for some advice - I was losing before and now I am not. I know I need to refocus. How many calories do you aim for each day? I have asked my doctor and he will not give me a specific figure. Also, does anyone use a Blackberry to track this?

The last fill I had 6 months ago made the band so tight that I started eating slider foods (this made my band half full) and of course now I am not losing at all. I hesitate to have it filled any more. Would prefer to just get focused. Help!!

Hi Bayla - I'm not sure if this question was directed at me specifically, but I'll answer I eat between 850-1000 calories a day (when I don't cheat a little lol). But I think this is pretty individual for everyone (and always good to check with your surgeon and/or nutritionist to see what they recommend). I know many on here eat 1200 a day and some even more than that. Before exercise, I generally burn a little less than 2000 calories a day, and I try to burn at least 1000 calories a day via exercise. My scale weight varies week to week but over the long run, on average, I lose 3 scale pounds a week (but one week I might lose 1 pound and then the next week it might be 5 pounds...the scale is a tricky thing). But more importantly, my body fat % has decreased immensely. My first goal is 22% body fat, which would put me in the healthy range, and I'll find out tomorrow where I'm at, but I should be at 29ish% at this point. Counting calories (I use fitday.com...there isn't a BB app for it, but I just log in via my blackberry web browser and can log my food anywhere that I am) and exercising like a crazy lady has really worked for me.

I had regained 50 pounds at one point and it was because I started eating slider foods because my band was a bit too tight. I wouldn't have it filled anymore - but perhaps a slight unfill? I never had my band unfilled - I just tried to chew better and make better choices (which is working for me now...I also probably have lost some fat around my stomach which has helped). But I do know that I got to a point where eating became so cumbersome and I was throwing everything up, so I started making friends with milkshakes again. We became real close, real fast. 50 pounds later, I decided to get back on track.

Anyhow, I love calorie counting. At some point, perhaps I'll be able to be less stringent about it (when I get to maintenance maybe?) but for now, part of repairing my relationship with food is being very aware of whats going in my mouth. And as Jachut said, its so easy to have food amnesia when I don't log (by the way Jachut, I knew you were having a procedure and then I didn't see you around for awhile, so I'm glad you're back!! I was a little worried).

[GavynsMum 1]

I use myfitnesspal.com and it also has a free andriod app. It will even scan barcodes instead of searching or adding stuff to my log (if i ate something packaged). I keep count of calories, Protein, and carbs, as well as Fluid intake. I have been pretty consistent with this since the start of my 2 week preop diet. It holds me accountable and i have been warned by my surgeon, "no diary = no fill". I keep calories below 1000, protein between 60-80 gms, and carbs under 100. So far it is working and it isnt that hard once you get in the groove.