Calorie counting is the best way to lose weight?

[ThisWildViewer]

I’m determined to lose about a stone, potentially a stone and a half.

I keep being told the best thing to do is download apps that track your calories, is this really the best way to lose weight? It seems quite restrictive to me being a mum etc.

But I also don’t want to take a too relaxed approach and take 8 months to lose a stone!

Help!

I found calorie counting worked best for me. I lost 5 stone over 2 years, but i took a more relaxed approach. I started by eating as i usually would but taking note of the amount of calories i was actually consuming to see where was easiest to make cuts. I consumed loads in energy drinks alone, so switched to sugar free for example. Once you have an idea of where your main consumption is its easier to cut

I lost three stone last year (and keeping it off so far. Started with calorie counting until I effectively ‘resent’ my understanding of what were reasonable portions and focussing on protein and fibre. It worked for me. Everyone is different though and it is about finding what works for you.
(I also worked with a weight loss coach for a few months which I would highly recommend to give some focus and structure)

Weight loss is only achieved by being in calorie deficit, so yes, if you want to lose weight reliably you need to count calories. There are different ways of eating you can try to support this but none of them (low carb, slimming world etc) cause you to lose weight by any other means than by creating a calorie deficit.

Being aware of calories is the only way but you don't need to get into apps etc. if you don't want to. Just be aware of what's in the usual stuff that you eat and what you could reduce or substitute instead. After a couple of weeks you get a feel for what's what.

Calorie counting is the only thing that has worked for me since having children.
So far I have lost a stone in 4 months. I tried SW and Weight Watchers too but it didn't really work.

I think you need to be realistic about what is achievable for your situation now. I wanted to lose alot more than that in 4 months but have found life as a mum can really interfere with that. Small things like lack of time to plan and when situation go off plan can really effect me. A night of being up every hour can have a big impact of my ability to stick to a strict plan.
I've not taken a more relaxed approach in that I've set me calorie goal to something achievable (restricted but allowance for a treat every now and again) and discount exercise as it can be so sporadic for me. Some weeks I can do 3 classes others none depending on the kids.

Good luck!!

Why set target of one stone or halfin quick time? It may come off but it’s likely to be put back on much quicker?Healthy balanced diet , lower in fat than your normal, types of Carbs from potatoes , rice pasta to whole meal, pulses , fish chicken less red meat…take it in stages, slow body to adjust and ofcourse more exercise that you enjoy, can be just walking regularly …you are different to everyone else so find your ways rather than apps etc

It'snot just calories but where they come from. And if you want to lose weight and keep that weight, then you need to think about changing the diet and see what you are actually eating. Dont go into extreme calorie deficit as in 1200 calories etc because you will slow down your metabolism and exhaust yourself. Combining a good balanced diet with exercise has given me the best results.

@HerNeighbourTotoro totally in agreement with you.it’s not rocket science, the problem is many look for quick instant fixes at her than carefully looking at all aspects of their lifestyle including work stresses, family , friend relationships and ofcourse positive mental thoughts.

To lose body fat it IS literally just calories. To sustain fat loss it's important to consider what you eat, but you can lose weight eating 1000 calories of dairy milk if you want to.

Yes to lose fat you need to be in a calorie deficit. The sure way to know you are is to count calories. You don’t have to restrict yourself in what you eat. I’m going for a burger this evening, but I just log it as part of my daily allowance.

Yes. But you really have to weigh everything you eat, not estimate. It works but it’s so boring.

@RhiWrites if it’s boring then it’s likely you,ll stick to it

Absolutely agree that calorie deficit is required to start burning fat, which is what is required here.

For some people, switching between burning fat and burning is easy, something the body does without any problem. They are lucky and can genuinely reduce their calories a bid and over time will loose weight.

However, if your body is not so good at switching, and you eat a significant amount of carbs which ultimately turn into sugar, your experience of eating fewer calories than required to maintain your current weight, will involve feeling tremendous hunger as your brain fights your desire to loose weight.

If you find you experience that tremendous hunger, I encourage you to try eating low carb. Without the insulin which your body releases to burn sugar, you start to burn fat to keep your blood sugar stable and no massive hunger drives you to break your diet.

if you have a lot of weight to loose, you can eat low carb to your hunger and , after a few days of converting to burning fat, loose weight in a way that feels effortless. Best to get some help with what low carb means in this context, it is a very unforgiving way of eating. Any cheat will knock you back to burning sugar so get some support.

at some point, which I have now reached, I need to look out at the calorie value to reduce my portion size and get rid of the last few pounds.

Hope you find what works for you.

@RhiWrites Oops not likely to stay with it

Yes it is. There are some people for whom calorie counting is a no no ie who have had an ED in the past, but personally I found it liberating. Previous diets i had always excluded x, y and z because they can't possibly be eaten and lose weight, but calorie counting made me realise I could build them in which stopped me failing. So for me it gave me more freedom (still aimed for a balanced diet but just mean if I wanted some chocolate then would have some and just make sure I accounted for the cals). Boring to start with but soon get used to what sort of portions to have etc.

Depends on the person. But ideally you CICO to lose weight and then don’t have to weigh everything to maintain. Maintenance is easier.

I’ve done it, and I’ve known other people who did it, which is how I know it works. But it’s tedious so many people don’t stick with it.

Injections are the best way to lose weight. I saw my cousin a couple of days ago. Gone from a 20 to a 10 in a year. I couldn’t believe it.

You still have to reduce calories on the injections...

Yes but she is never hungry

Yeah and macros. It's said not to worry about macros but I find just counting calories made me think about food more. Making sure my macros were right meant I didn't want to eat more than I need.

Injections are not the best way to lose weight. It doesn't install long term habits, can cause gallstones, you lose muscle weight and it fucks with your pancreas. Along with other long term effects.

You can never stop the fuckers. It's a private companies dream. It's scary how many people are on them.

Losing weight is more than the numbers on the scales. Those numbers mean fuck all when your bone density puts you in fracture territory eventually.

Reduce calorie intake/increase calorie burn through more exercise.
Reduce intake by:

• doing the 16/6 hr i.e. don't eat breakfast so you have a 16hr "fast" overnight/morning
• reduce carb intake by cutting potatoes, bread, pasta and white rice out. Switch to wholefoods incl pulses
• Increase protein to help you feel fuller
• manage portion size
• drink plenty of water. Helps with feeling fuller

Increase exercise by making a point of walking where you used to drive, getting out every day and doing a form of exercise that you enjoy. Best of luck!

It's the only thing that really works for me. I've lost 3 stone. All other attempts failed. It teaches you what your portion sizes should be. Something that you really need to figure out in order to stay slim.

Yes, in the end it does simply come down to being in a calorie deficit.

However, I agree with @FinallyHere that a diet low (or at least lower) in carbohydrates, and that prioritises good fats and protein, will make that calorie deficit much easier to maintain.

Avoiding sugar and processed carbohydrates (white bread, pasta, etc) but eating plenty of eggs, fish, lean meat, full-fat dairy, veg and berries etc means you feel fuller for longer, your blood sugar stays steady and you are less likely to over-eat in the first place, making staying in a calorie deficit more straightforward.

You could lose weight on 1000 cals of Dairy Milk too, but you'd feel - and probably look - like shit.

Think of it as if you were trying to save- if you were in the store and there were no prices and you bought what you ‘thought’ you can buy, you wouldn’t know whether you were saving or overspending. Tracking helps give you an idea if you are in surplus or deficit- and to lose weight you need to be in deficit. It’s quite eye opening especially in the beginning and seeing what a portion is and how much the usual take out adds up to.