And that sh*t adds up fast too.
For two years, I diligently counted my calories, which was easy because I never went out. I counted every glass of water, M&M, chip and sandwich I ate. I was obsessed with it and of course, saw the results of it (losing weight).
Then, suddenly I OD’ed on it and stopped. I wouldn’t log for a day, then two days, then a week, then a month, etc. I’m afraid to check when the last time I logged was, because I’m willing to bet, it’s been three months.
I hate doing it, but it worked.
And lately, I’ve been needing a kick in the pants to do it again. Clothes are snug, beer is delicious, I can’t say no to food or snacking (especially when I eat my feelings) and I feel fat all the time. I can barely stand to look at myself in the mirror.
Last week, I finally got that last kick. While checking Facebook, I saw a friend lost 40-60 lbs over the last six months. And she looked fantastic. I commented to her how great she looked, but staring down at my gut, I felt like a total failure.
So I took one last bite of a cookie and logged into Sparkpeople to start logging my calories again, each cookie, salad and sandwich at a time.
And the results were horrifying. I’m allowed 1,550 calories per day and it horrifies me how quickly it adds up. Turns out, reaching 1,550 calories is easy, stopping at that point isn’t.
In the last week, I stayed within my calorie goal three of the seven days. It’s a very small victory. I’m back at the gym, committed to my workouts and I’m feeling better. I still have a lot of work to do but I take it one day at a time.
While logging, I also saw how weak I am in front of food. I can’t say no, especially in an office where there are always snacks and a candy dish three feet away from me. I chew gum, drink lots of water and pinch my wrist when I feel the urge to go snack. Or, I take 1-2 small pieces of candy and cut myself off there.
Oh and logging food when you go out to eat sucks too. There is no easy way to do it except for breaking down what is in there and finding comparable items in the database. Again, it’s painful, but I am really trying not to give up.
So yes, I hate counting calories, but I hate feeling fat more.
What about you? Do you count calories? How do you handle eating well while dining out?
I’m just starting to count calories again and yeah, it sucks. I use livestrong.com because they seem to have a lot more items already recorded in their search engine than other sites I’ve been on. I don’t even want to think about how fast I could blaze through my calories if I didn’t work out!
Apple now has Rhapsody as an app, which is a great start, but it is currently hampered by the inability to store locally on your iPod, and has a dismal 64kbps bit rate. If this changes, then it will somewhat negate this advantage for the Zune, but the 10 songs per month will still be a big plus in Zune Pass’ favor.
I started using SparkPeople today because of this post. I think it’s going to be helpful for me. Thanks. :)
I just started back at Weight Watchers so I’m really aware of my calories, but counting calories is a BITCH.
A few years ago I was getting sick regularly so I started to write down everything I ate to see if I could find a pattern. I figured it out and then kept logging because when I did I was eating healthier. I didn’t count calories though. The thought makes me queasy. I’m sure I consume a million times more calories than I need to. I think as long as the counting is helping you make healthy choices then it’s a good thing.
I’ve been sooooo slack since … um … April! Eeek!
i do count calories, but in a very loose sense. i don’t write anything down, and because i eat the same foods virtually every day, there’s not a lot i have to remember. but yeah…eating out is always a challenge. it’s the sauces and dressings that carry the major calories, so i try my best to avoid them.
i don’t count my calories but i do like to record what i eat because it definitely gives me a sense of what i put in my mouth. I need to get back on that train because i’ve been off it for a while now.
i sort of look at how many calories something has and decide whether or not i want it, but i don’t really count or add up for the day, i’m pretty sure that would make me insane.
Counting calories does suck.
I always feel like I’m not eating anything when I count them which is annoying especially since fruits + veggies + nuts are off limits to me and those things are low in calories.
I know it works though because when I pay attention to it, I lose weight. My mom has done it for a few months and is down 30 lbs.
I tend to eat my feelings too, so i totally get that :)
I’ll be cheering for you! I know how hard it is (I’m back on the weight loss bandwagon again too!)
I tried counting calories for a little while when I first moved to the ‘burbs, but I’m terrible at it. I become obsessed and freak about the numbers. I am already so conscious of what I’m eating and how I look that I found counting calories was not mentally healthy for me. I keep track of what I eat during the day on average, and that’s worked well for me so far.
You totally turned me on to Sparkpeople a year or so ago, but I can only keep up with it for a week or so before I want to run screaming.
Forget going out, even when I cook at home it’s hard to log everything because you have to break all the ingredients down. I know it works and I know I should be doing it to see that I’m getting enough nutrients in addition to the whole calorie thing…but man is it a pain!
Counting calories is too complicated for me. I’m working with someone to make sure I eat more healthy fat, protein and non-processed food. Sounds like you are doing all the right things, but I highly recommend seeing a nutritionist if you can – they are full of good advice and tell you what’s missing from your diet.
Sounds like you are on the right track! I lost 40 some pounds a few years ago and learned the hard way the only way to lose weight is to change your eating habits (for good). Staying within a calorie range is a perfect way to do that because you can still allow for some treats but you still stay within range.
I honestly didn’t start exercising until I had lost about 30 pounds. I found taking on one big lifestyle change was enough at once. I exercise regularly now, but the point is nutrition is the key to weight loss!
I’ve never counted calories or dieted, but I have a bad habit history of just not eating. It’s unhealthy. So I’ve made a point of eating breakfast everyday and continuing to eat small portions throughout the day. But, since meeting my boyfriend a year and a half ago, we eat out all the time. I’ve gained 10 lbs. and while that’s technically okay, I’ve gone up two pants sizes and none of my clothes fit right anymore. I know it makes people want to smack me because I’m “not fat,” but I’m having a hard time with it because it’s my body. Does that make sense?
I really applaud you taking control of your calorie count and can’t imagine how difficult it would be to calculate a dinner out at a restaurant. And by the way, I think you look good but I realize that you need to feel that too. Don’t be too hard on yourself! Plus, you have to celebrate this weekend and should do so with as much food and beer as you like because you only have one 10 yr. anniversary of your 21st birthday!
When I was in my 20s and early 30s, I ate out all the time, drank a lot and exercised insane amounts. My weight was never an issue. Now that I’m in my mid-30s, my responsibilities and priorities have changed. I don’t exercise as much, nor as intensely as I used to and that’s had a huge impact on my body. The one thing I’ve never done? Count calories. I’ve also never owned a scale. For me, it’s all about how I feel … and making adjustments in my life accordingly. One of the greatest things about being pregnant now is that I’ve truly relieved myself of any body image issues while I’m cooking this lil one inside me. There are plenty of ways to achieve your goals; the key is finding the balance that works best for you.
I don’t….I think it;s too much for me. I try to watch what I eat but sometimes, I slip! :)
I’m still technically on WW (though I don’t have to pay anymore since I reached my goal). I’ve gained back some of the weight I’ve lost because I stopped counting all my points (calories/fat/fiber). I’ve been trying to make a conscious effort lately to snack less and exercise more to see if I can get that extra weight back off without counting the points. It’s going much more slowly, but it’s working.
I can’t count calories, just because I know in my gut that all calories are not created equal and that if I had my way all of my 1500 calories would come from cupcakes and wine, which would still make me gain weight. I have to go big or go home, meaning, if I’m going to do it, I have to not allow myself any indulgences, to use the slippery slope analogy. So I’ll only eat protein, low-fat cheese and yogurt, and vegetables, and no sugar, bread, or fried food, and it definitely works. But if I have one cupcake or bowl of ice cream I tend to just go the other way and drop off my good eating. I’m also GREAT at eating and exercising well on my own. With other people? Not so much.
ugh, counting calories sounds miserable. i totally don’t do it ever. i just returned from 3 weeks of vacationing which included insane amounts of food and now the dress i’m wearing is cutting off my air supply. my normal diet just includes lots of fruits and veggies when i feel like snacking. i get foods like grapes, blueberries and baby carrots because it satisfies that motion of snacking. sounds like you’re on the right path to reaching your goal, good luck!
I loosely count calories and I aim for about 1,500 too. I try to stay below that. Truthfully, I’m not hungry that often. I eat 5 smaller meals a day unless I know I have a big meal planned later (then I cut it down to 2 small meals and a big one).
I’ve found the best trick is to cut everything I eat in half. I eat the first half and then wait a bit before going after the second half. This can be challenging because a) I’m poor and b)I hate leftovers so I always feel I need to get my money’s worth!
I’m still striving for that ‘lifestyle change’ which I am getting now that I’m running often (and far). I also gave up everything but water for drinks. (Okay, duh – beer, wine, liquor was not given up.) Occassionally I’ll have a non-fat latte or something as a ‘treat’ and it usually tastes just as good to me as any candy bar or blizzard.
I joined Sparkpeople about a month ago and at first I was in horror at how many calories I consumed in a day! No wonder I’ve gained so much weight! It took a while to get down to the correct range I’m supposed to be in on there, and even longer to get used to eating less. But now that I’m into the habit, I love tracking my calories and making sure I’m on track!
Having been raised by a Weight Watchers fanatic I know just how you feel! I abhor counting calories, although it does work, it makes me feel miserable and I find it eats up (no pun intended) my self control and then I go out and do things like spend $100 on new eye shadows and lip gloss… I need to indulge someway or another apparently. I’ve never heard of spark people but I may have to look into it. Thanks for sharing, its nice to know I’m not alone!
I am so not a calorie-counter. I just don’t have the energy nor desire to constantly check and log my meals’ calorie count. Also, it involves math and just ew to that.
I just try to listen to my hunger cues, such as finishing my meal before I feel too overindulged and really pay attention to what I’m putting into my body. If I’m going out to eat and I order a cocktail then I won’t order a dessert (or vice-versa) because that’s really over-doing it, calorie wise.
My eating habits have also changed thanks to reading healthy eating/healthy living blogs.
Sounds like you are doing a graet job. Keep repeating to yourself a line I learned at Weight Watchers–”Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels”. It helps! Just stay motivated and you will do fine altho I must say I thought you looked great!
I hate counting calories at the office! The day always seems so much better when there is a nice cookie or brownie to look forward to. Can’t I just say that sugar makes me more productive, and that those calories don’t count? :)
I have never counted calories. I haven’t even tried. It seems like too much fuss for me, and I don’t need that making me neurotic. I’m already that way about enough! Even thinking about it annoys me. I just try to eat sensibly most of the time, work out regularly, and allow the occasional treat so I don’t end up on a crazy lady food binge.
I went through a calorie counting phase a while back (earlier this year). It was really really good – educational! I don’t know if I lost weight because I honestly wasn’t weighing myself (my scales at home are horrible and don’t work). I just liked that I was more conscious of what I ate. Life got full on and I ended up not being bothered to write everything down.
I will definitely give it another go though. Maybe not just yet, but when I’m done procrastinating I will – sometimes I think it’s just good to check in with yourself and remember how your habits affect your health!
I’ve been being careful and watching what I eat, counting calories for a few months now. Its going to be a long battle for me. Its not fun, but incredibly necessary.
Uch, I am such a snacker. NYC has not treated me well as I think I’ve put on like 10 pounds in the 2 months I’ve been back out of excitement and wanted to eat/drink everything that NYC has to offer.
I use Spark People too! I’m not HARDCORE about it. Example: Right now I’m munching on Kettle Corn and it’s not like I measured it out EXACTLY, I kind of looked at my bowl and figured it was about 3 cups worth so that’s what I logged.
1,550 calories seems REALLY low to me. I know I wouldn’t be able to get by on that much! Since I’m in training right now I typically eat over 2,000 every day, but even when I wasn’t training I was closer to the 1,800 range. When I’m not tracking my food, I gain. It’s as simple as that. I’m more likely to go for ice cream or have an extra piece of toast. When I track my food I make more conscious choices about what I eat!
I’ve never counted calories in my life until 3 weeks ago when I joined Spark People. I saw pictures of myself at a wedding and was horrified at how I looked and also needed SOMETHING to keep me accountable. I try to stay within my calorie range and I’ve been exercising a lot more consistently. It has definitely helped so far! (But it is definitely a pain in the butt) :-)
Good luck to you!
I try to eat out as little as possible. At least, that’s how I handled it when I was counting calories and now it’s just habit. I go out so rarely that when I do I don’t worry about it.
I used Sparkpeople for almost a year and lost weight. Counting calories works but it can be a huge pain, I know.
I don’t count calories anymore. After a year of doing it I pretty much had an idea of what I could eat and still maintain my weight loss. It’s rough but you’ll get there!
Oh snacks in the office is the worst. Where we actually out snacks in my office is about 3 feet from my desk and I am alone in there for a good part of the day. Ok well not alone because I have the snacks staring at me and saying “eat me!” It is torture. But I do find myself 3 times a day taking 15 minute breaks and walking around my office building so then I don’t feel so bad.
I make estimates on calories…I’m not too too rigid. But like you, I hate feeling fat too, so I know I can’t just shove whatever I want into my mouth. And if that takes being aware of my calorie intake, so be it.
This is going to sound weird, but I snack less when I have a candy dish on my desk. I always am stocked with Dove chocolates, but I rarely eat them myself. I don’t know, something about them always being there makes them less appealing?
I honestly do not count calories – or make good choices when I eat out. To me, going out is my treat. However, I try to eat as clean (unprocessed) as possible during the week and lately I have been making a conscious effort to not DRINK my calories.