Is this really a long term way of living?

[Fellsbells]

Calorie counting every day.

It is tedious and time consuming. It absolutely works, but do people manage to keep it up long term?

Lots of our meals are home made, no recipe just normal family meals, but it’s so hard trying to guess the calorie content.

Interested to hear how people make it work long term. I’m using mfp if it makes a difference.

Yes I do, I've worked out the calories for homemade meals and because we have a rotating meal plan (which I change from time to time) it's a quick process. I meal plan so the night before I pop in what we're having and then can see how many other calories I can have. I think it's hard at first but soon becomes less of a chore and just part off a routine.

Honestly I don't find it that time consuming! Save the meals you make regularly in whatever app you're using to count, makes that bit speedier.

It takes me maybe 1 min throughout each day to do - no time at all to be losing weight 😃

I found that, after a while, I just developed a feeling of how much 1400-1600 calories are, so no actual counting is necessary.

However, I see that you cook 'a lot' of homemade meals. I'd start by looking at those meals that are not, as well as snacking.

I do not need to diet because I eat whole foods almost exclusively. Virtually no UPF or sugar, and I don't drink calories, especially alcohol.

Also, I only eat during an 8 hour window and, apart from a bit of fruit, I don't snack. I have 2 proper meals a day, consisting of lots of vegetables and a fair amount of lean protein.

This works for me - I'm never hungry and I really, really enjoy my food.

Thanks.
In answer to the time consuming bit, I will try saving regular meals. At the moment I’m logging each ingredient and then dividing into a portion which is tedious. I click on 6 things just for my breakfast.

It is, like you say, about getting into a routine and meal planning ahead.

@PaminaMozart this is what I thought people would probably end up doing. Not actually keeping track because they know roughly what they’re eating and can stick to it. My concern would be over time I would drift into having more calories because I wasn’t accountable to a tracking app. Even with healthy home cooked meals the urge to have a slightly bigger portion is always there.

There is always a risk of 'drifting', but after a while you develop an 'inner compass' that will help to keep you on track. Plus regular weighing and/or taking waist measurements to alert you when you're gaining weight.

I am someone who is naturally incredibly greedy and will want to eat whether I'm happy or sad. The only way I keep myself on track is logging calories 90% of the time. It is tedious but I'd rather do that than be massively overweight.

I also attend a slimming group every week for the accountability & support. I'll be doing this for life- no other way around if. I can't self regulate.