To count calories or not to count?????

[Thamm 46]

I have decided not to count or log calories on myfitnesspal... I got this surgery not to diet and calorie count but for a lifestyle change. And realistic I will not be able to count calories for the rest of my life. I need to know I can use this tool and be successful. Anybody else tried not to calorie count and how successful was u???

[FLORIDAYS 3,040]

I believe you must track your food calories during the losing stage. I used calorie counter on my phone and counted everything I put in my mouth. My number was 1000 each day to see a loss of 10 lbs a month. How else will you know how much you are consuming until you reach the green zone? but that's just what worked for me. Now that I am maintaining I don't count them on my phone ap.. But in my mind I have a running total that just comes as second nature after doing it for 2 years... And I like to be able to make wise choices... Especially when eating out. How else would I know each chicken wing from hooters is 100 calories....

You need to do what works for you...best wishes for your success...

[Thamm 46]

U know I never thought about that... Great points! It just seems like that is consuming my every thought and moment. I was banded 4/19/12 and have lost 80 lbs. I go to the gym 5 days a week and I feel hopefully for my future. I just don't want to start something I can't do for the rest of my life. Maybe I will just use myfitnesspal as needed....

[blpchick 50]

I've never counted my calories and I've been extremely successful. It depends on the person I guess. I've lost a total of 101 so far and I was banded on may 24, 2012.

[2muchfun 8,927]

I didn't track calories either. But, I've always been a dieter and know how many calories are in a meal within 100 calories or less. And, I ate right which makes it that much easier to keep the calories intake under 1400 for me. I like to keep it around 1200 and most of the time I did. During the spring, summer and fall I burn a lot of calories through exercising.

As long as you are eating healthy foods the band should keep your calories intake around 1000-1200. But like Floridays said, we're all different, so find your way through this maize and pioneer what works best for you.

tmf

[Rojasanoll 920]

You must count calories and stay with a certain amount daily. You may eat the wrong foods that are very high in carbs/calories and not lose much weight even though you are staying around the 1-1.5 cup a meal ratio. I keep around 1200-1250 calories a day. Maybe a day or two, exceed that amount and if I do this for a few days I will gain weight. This is why you should be interested in what your intake is.

[Summerrain 520]

I don't calorie count, my nutritionist taught me Portion Control and I have a list of the amounts of Protein, carbs etc I'm to have at each meal.

I've been on so many diets in the past that I've just about memorized how many calories are in foods.

We are all different and have to find what works for us, as you can see some swear by calorie counting others don't and each one is successful.

Good riddance to calorie counting for me!