Does Calorie Counting work

[Lara96]

I keep seeing people saying they are not losing even in a calorie deficit. I was going to start calorie counting but now wondering if I should maybe try slimming world.

Yes for me it did but I was very strict and once I got to goal I continued to calorie count.

My DH is very successfully losing weight by calorie counting - he's weighing and logging in the Nutracheck app, which integrates with his Apple Watch so he's getting a reasonable estimate of his exercise calories (usually we walk about 5 miles a day). And it's healthy food - lots of veg, no 'white carbs', not too much fat.

I've been doing similar - but being smaller I've simply got a lot less leeway. It's very easy to underestimate food or overestimate activity levels.

It has been a game changer for me. I understand so much more about nutrition now having researched it and have calorie counted now since new year and have lost 22lbs. I have found it pretty easy. Did slimming world before but never got the nutrition part and just stuck to the plan they gave. I much prefer calorie counting but whatever is going to work best for you and keep you motivated long term. Find out as much as you can about a healthy well balanced diet and if you feel calorie counting can help - it’s been a game changer for me. I also make sure whatever the weather I drink loads and walk minimum 10k steps every single day. This is doable. I have a full time job - 2 kids and they keep me very busy. I even walk around my house at night listening to a podcast to get my steps up like an eejit but it’s so worth it. I have so much more energy than before. Best of luck with whatever choice you make and feel is the right one for you

I lost 4 stone 4 times Calorie counting,it's the only way I've reliably lost weight,lost motivation after though and always put it back on and more,you have to stick at it for life to maintain.

Yes I’m a stone down since new year. It really works

I use nutracheck for calorie counting and it’s a great app but I don’t take any notice of the exercise calories or I’d be eating about 2500 per day! And that’s not a deficit! I’m doing about 1400-1500 per day since November plus gym sessions with weights and I’m down nearly 15kg. Got 6kg to goal!

Yes.

Yes it works. Measure everything and know what you're putting into your body.

It’s an excellent learning tool to help you visualize what portion sizes should be.
after a while you know what is most likely reasonable vs excess.

It is really annoying but it does absolutely work😁

When I eat an average of 1400 calories per day I lose weight. Maintain on around 1800 and gain on over 2000.

Yes it works - those who say it doesn’t are not in a calorie deficit. All slimming world does is ultimately put you in a calorie deficit but makes you abide by nonsense rules and teaches you absolute zero about nutrition.

I've just found the Nutracheck app. It's really good. Got a 7 day free trial then it's £27 a year. Tempted as I really need to lose 1.5 stone.

Is Nutracheck any better than MyFitnessPal?

I find calorie counting the only way I lose weight.

I’ve found Nutracheck much better than MFP.

It’s worth every penny!

People who say they are in a calorie deficit and not loosing are not calorie counting or certainly not doing it properly. You need to count every single thing that you eat from every grain of rice to every spoon of oil or dressing. You must weigh everything. That includes weighing food, for example, like baked beans. Half a can needs weighed properly. A packet will say a 100g biscuit is 100 calories but the reality is the biscuit could weigh 90g or 110g.

I find it so much better.

There hasn't been a uk food item that it hasn't had - and that's including some random things from smaller businesses that was in a Christmas hamper. It's really easy to use, and I can plan my meals ahead of time which helps keep me organised and on track.

If anyone wants a 30 day free trial to nutracheck, send me a message. It's technically a referral code, so can't share it on here, but it doesn't gain me anything other than an entry into a draw. I only had a 7 day free trial and would really have appreciated the 30 days!

I've sent you a DM
Thanks

I’ve also DM’d you! Thank you!

Sorry, just saw this just now. I'll get right on it!

I use the “Lose It” app and you don’t need to pay for the premium bit to use it. It’s very detailed and you can just scan the barcode of your product and enter the weight.

Calorie counting does work, but it can be depressing when you see how little food it gives you, particularly if you are small, haven't a lot to lose and aren't very active. I'd say it's great as part of an overall approach, so upping exercise (which gives you more calories to play with), intermittent fasting etc.

Different things work for different people.

@Vroomfondleswaistcoat that's where food volume comes in. Switch to food choices that mean you can eat more food volume and so fill yourself up. Leafy green veg, cheeses like feta instead of cheddar, lean protein sources, etc.

Unless you are doing athlete type amounts of exercise, don't eat back your exercise calories. The amount of calories burned by exercise is usually over estimated by MFP, fitness watches, etc. 90% weight loss is down to what you consume alone so use exercise as a way of getting healthier rather than losing weight.

You're absolutely right and I think I'm a bit sensitive because I've only got two pounds to lose and I'm STARVING...

It has for me.

I allow myself 1200 calories a day for 5 days a week, and for the other two days I allow myself to have about 1600. I need a few naughty treats every 3 days in order to keep my motivation going. Restricting myself each at of the week was too difficult for me and it wasn’t sustainable.

I also make sure I do 30 minutes walking each day and a 30 minute home exercise routine three times a week.

I have lost 9.5lbs in just over 4 weeks by doing this.