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Counting calories has gotten me to where I am today... 35 lbs. lighter and 4 sizes smaller. Sure, the first month or two of tracking were the hardest and counting calories was like the most tedious thing in the world, but it works! For me, it's almost been a year since I started tracking my daily caloric intake and it's actually become a part of my lifestyle. If someone told me that counting calories for the rest of my life would give me my dream body, I probably could do it... But 'could do it' is different than 'would do it'.
When I first started out losing weight, I knew I wouldn't want to count calories for the rest of my life so I thought now would be good time to see how well I do without logging my food into a calorie counter. I'm still going to write down what I eat everyday but after a couple of days of not counting the calories as I eat them, I'll log them into MFD to see how on it (or off it) I am.
It just so happens that my PT wants me to do this too!
Because he knows I'm working hard at the gym, he thinks I may be under estimating my calorie intake on days I eat out or burn off a lot of calories, because my fat-loss has come to a screeching halt.
Besides possibly logging my food incorrectly, I figured this is good practice to see how well I do with my guesstimated portion sizes. Will be back tomorrow to report how well I did with the calorie estimations.
Wish me luck!
3 comments:
I had a similar experience. I started out counting every calories and I became obsessive about it. Being that my career has me traveling often which means I eat out often it was sometimes a rather trying experience.
One night I was at restaurant in Austin with a group of coworkers and found myself asking the waiter to ask the chef if he was using butter to grill my tilapia. At that point I realized I needed a new way to do this. I had become annoying and even worse I believe I was under estimating calories as well.
So, I made it simple and now go by percentages. 20% Fat - 40% Carbs (complex) - 40% Proteins. If I am doing intense cardio training and need more energy I will back the protein down to 20% and the carbs up to 60%. If I want to lose a few pounds I will increase my Proteins to 60% and drop my carbs down to 20%.
Not only is this a much easier way to eat. My body has seemed to respond better to this approach. And the majority of the 35lbs I lost was done eating this way.
The important thing is to do what is right for you individually. If something isn't working, oh well, you tried. Go back to what was. In the long run you will probably try many different approaches to "clean eating", some will work, some will not. It is a marathon not a sprint. Good luck! And keep up the great work!
Good luck! I think we all should get to that point eventually, where we intuitively know what to eat that will keep us in check.
Looking forward to see how you do!
Lianne - I just saw what you posted about your actual calorie intake Friday to Sunday. I also am seeing that you are at a plateau - which you KNOW that I know all too well. I call it 130itis now. And I am wondering if you are having a bit of 140itis?
1) Are you regularly thinking that you are looking pretty good?
2) Are you really proud of how far you've come?
3) have you ever thought (even for a second) that if you stayed at this weight you'd still look pretty good.
4) Have the compliments been enough to make you think you can relax a little bit?
5) Any other things that may be stalling you in your progress?
6) Are you scared of the girl you will become when you shed the next 20 pounds?
7) Do you have the time to inspire others, help others, time for the adoration?
8) Because those next 20 pounds are going to put you at Rock Star status and may bring more recognition than you are ready to deal with?
9) Each layer of fat carryies emotions that we are all either ready to get rid of or not.
I encourage you to really take a good look at those reasons. And perhaps consider not weighing yourself. I KNOW what you are going to say about that - yes I know its coming from ME the queen of 130itis. But, on my vacation last week those things really resonated with me. So when I hit a plateau again - that is exactly what I plan to do - stop weighing. But meticulously count my calories and rely 100% on my Body Bugg to calculate my calories in vs calories out.
Sorry to get so heavy! :) You know I only want the best for you and perhaps I may not know what the heck I am talking about but maybe I said something that will help?
Jay :)
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