Do you count calories?

darrell-gilbert · Joined: 11 Aug 2007 Posts: 441

I use to keep a dedicated food journal when I was losing the weight. Now I still keep a mental log of everything I eat, and because I am not a big eater of a variety of foods, I can quite quickly add up the amount of calories I've had in a day. For me I tend to vary my intake, if it's a long run day, then I consume more, but if it's an easy day then I keep my calories lower. Because of my dedicated logging of food, I have a very good idea now of what I'm putting in my body, without writing it down, but for anyone that is trying to lose weight, I think it's very important to keep a accurate account of what your consuming.

sjaplo · Joined: 31 Aug 2004 Posts: 1089 Location: Abbotsford BC

Can't be bothered.

Don't feel it's an effective form of weight control - except that if done religiously it forces you to acknowledge how much and what type of food you are actually ingesting.

Simon
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ruthk · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 3865 Location: surrey

no, don't do this either.. but, i've been wanting to keep track of my sodium intake and iron.. haven't got around to it yet... Rolling Eyes

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ruthk · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 3865 Location: surrey

omg!! yesterday was the first time i ever sat down and totalled up the amount of cals, carbs that i ate throughout the day.. and holeeee cow! its amazing how quickly it adds up, AND how it SEEMS like the things u eat aren't so bad, but they can be high in carbs!

i probably shouldn't have added the cup of granola to my yogurt, nor ate the full 12" tuna Subway sub! that in itself was 1020 or so cals and 90 grams of carbs!!

it is amazing.. i couldn't get over it.. and here i thought i was doing so well.. in total my daily caloric intake was about 2100 cals.. i made sure i had a good swim after that! Laughing

i can't remember how many cals u should eat per day without gaining weight.. anyone?

anyhow, i'm gonna really try to keep track cuz that'd help watch what i put in my mouth..
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ruthk · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 3865 Location: surrey

schwingsie · Joined: 21 Nov 2005 Posts: 5913

I don't usually count carbs...the exception was a few days during marathon training, when I felt like I was eating a lot--and I was. Laughing

I think it can be helpful to count calories now and then, like ruth has done, just to get a handle on things.

kukini · Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Posts: 557

I track my food rather than count calories. As well, my focus doesn't emphasize overall calories, as much as the proportion of carbs/protein/fat. The intention is not weight loss, but I do attempt to get all my macro and mirco nutrients from food (no supplements for me) and although without tracking I could readily track the macronutrients I would easily lose track of the vitamins and minerals. Tracking, for me, is incredibly insightful and allows me to make food choices throughout the day/week (day by day is harder, so I also look at a longer picture for my micronutrients) to ensure I get enough of everything that I need.

10not42 · Joined: 20 Oct 2003 Posts: 268 Location: Calgary

ruthk - yeah all that cream and sugar in your tea adds up. It could help to either get used to less sweetening, or try Stevia instead of sugar. Or try drinking herbal tea with no cream. In the evening I drink either water or club soda (I'm not dieting per se but being Diebetic I usually avoid sweetened drinks), since I don't sleep well with any caffiene after noon.

ruthk · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 3865 Location: surrey

oh, found this website where i can keep food and activity logs.. so far so good.. cept it tells me that i should weigh 140 lbs and if i keep my daily caloric intake to 1700 per day i should be able to reach it by end of june! hehe!! i haven't been 140 in AGES!! i'll be happy to get to and maintain 145! Laughing

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d_nowak · Joined: 03 Feb 2007 Posts: 23 Location: Mississauga,Ontario

rarely...

sadiehq · Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Posts: 873 Location: Toronto ON

I do - but I have some serious weight to lose.

natarual · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Posts: 724 Location: Toronto

pretty much never - but i will look at fat content and try and limit that. I've stayed pretty much the same weight for the past few years, and barely ever step on a scale, so as long as i feel good, i don't care.
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Dawn26.2 · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Posts: 10

I take a mental tally as the day goes on but nothing strict. I really did not know what what the value of a calorie was until I started running. I went to a dietician for advice for marathon training and she told me I should be eating 2500-3000 calories per day!! Bad Advice!! I eat under 2000 calories per day. If this is the advice dieticians are giving I can see why most of the population is overweight.

Dawn26.2 · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Posts: 10

Wow this was a really old thread, did not notice until after I posted.

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