Lose weight without counting calories?

[woodywoody]

how have any of you done it without counting calories as this is just not working for me (dont have time to measure food, eating out, eating with family, giving me disorder eating). How much did you lose and how, what are your tips to lose weight without counting cals? Thanks! desperate right now

I technically don't count them but I do estimate. At the start of my journey, i would only workout (no major changes to my diet), that actually did work but is was extremely slow.

Low-carb. I have never counted anything, enjoy what I eat and never felt hungry. I lost three stone over three years ago and haven't put it back on. Size 10/12 and BMI 21.

I second low carbing. You will never have to count calories again!

I just cut out most carbs (no bread, pasta, rice, oats, noodles or potatoes) and limited starchy vegetable carbs like sweet potatoes and carrots to just a couple of times per week. Also cut down on fruit to 1-2 portions per day (I used to snack on a crazy amount of fruit and smoothies each day). Oh and I don't have carby bananas anymore as found they weren't helping me lose weight.
Foods I can eat are things like protein, dairy (and I go for full fat dairy as keeps me fuller for longer), plenty of veg (especially the green ones) and also the odd treat a couple of times per week like biscuits, chocolate, ice cream and alcohol (but I don't go crazy with these and stick to small portions).

It has really worked for me and I don't calorie count anything, am just mindful of potion sizes.

Typical day would be something like this:
Breakfast - Arla protien yogurt with chopped strawberries and chia seeds.

Snack - babybel cheese, apple slices dipped in peanut butter.

Lunch - mozzarella, avocado, tomato salad with a bowl of spinach soup.

Snack - chocolate

Dinner - spag Bol but just the sauce, with some broccoli and a big salad on the side.

Snack - hot chocolate

I also drink loads of herbal teas throughout the day too. If I eat out then I'll try and go for the least carby thing on the menu, but if there aren't any decent options then I'll just go for something like a burger but I'll not eat the buns and only eat half the chips or ask for extra salad instead of the chips.
If I get a takeaway then I'll get two main dishes from the Chinese for myself and skip the rice or noodles.

I don't do much exercise and this way of eating is helping me lose 2-3 pounds per week without fail

thanks guys, how low is low carbing. Like are oats and sweet potatoes a no no? if u could give me a rough idea of what u eat that would really help as i have no idea! x

Teddy! thank u so much, think we posted at the same time. I definitely need to reduce the fruit i eat far too much

It depends on how much exercise you do. If you do a lot then things like oats are ok for your breakfast if you don't eat carbs for the rest of the day. I find eating sweet potato doesn't effect me losing weight if I have them a couple of times during the week. If i were to have them every day then I'd probably not see the results (or the weight loss would slow down a lot)

I have a nutribullet and I used to go wild with the amount of smoothies I was having each day (sometimes up to 3!!) with bananas etc in it. I thought I was doing myself a favour but I was actually gaining weight from all the fruit. You don't need to cut it out completely but just have 1-2 portions and stick to lower carb fruits like berries and apples

I've just started doing workouts and am hoping to do so 6/7 days a week. Im also a vegetarian so low carb is a bit harder and dont stomach eggs or milk well! But i will try a plant based yoghurt for breakfast and beans etc! 2-3 lbs a week sounds amazing well done! hope i can achieve those results

ahh yes teddy same here i used to do 3 bananas too! Fruit makes me crave sugary things so just end up eating junk. wont avoid completely though as that just will just fail

also don't fear full fat cheese or yogurt as it won't make you gain weight if you are cutting out carbs. It'll help you feel fuller for longer.
Chia seeds are a good thing to put on your yogurt as they are 100% protein and don't taste of anything.
You could maybe add in a low carb protein bar to eat after your work outs too (most supermarkets sell them and just pick the ones that have the lowest % of carbs on the back).
I'm having chicken and veg fajitas (lots of courgettes, onions, pepper, and mushrooms) for my tea tonight and just won't have the wraps but will still enjoy all the sides like guacamole, sour cream, cheese, lettuce and jalapeños. And I have 3 small Lindt truffles for my pudding.
Good luck, I'm sure you can do it.

Ps if you are a veggie do you eat things like quorn chicken and mince? And also tofu? All good sources of protein that can help bulk your meals up

Idiot Proof Diet doesn't involve counting. It's low carb.

I have posted on another thread but basically I have not counted a single calorie. I eat two meals a day (lunch and tea for me as have never liked breakfast). I can eat whatever I like for them though in practice if I go over the top I'm not going to lose weight - but they do fill me up - it's not like one slice of ham and a lettuce leaf.
If I have the urge to snack I have a piece of fruit. I see on your post above you don't really get on with fruit but if I get in that snackish frame of mind I just get another piece of fruit - currently on satsuma no. 6!
Only drink water or squash.
I allow myself one pudding on a Sunday and whatever I want if I'm out. Fortunately I don't go out too often.
Lost 2 stone since New Year.

thank you so much for all the info! I have feared fats such as nut butters and avocado for a while now as read they make you gain weight :/ so need to get over that! going to go shopping tomorrow and get some healthy low carb foods (love chia seeds !)

i do eat quorn from time to time ( prefer more natural things like beans though)

robina! well done thats amazing! i have about 15lbs to lose and really want to lose it before i go on holiday this year. I think once i lose the first 5 i will start feeling better. I think i may snack on carrots / cucumber when in hungry instead of fruit and see if that works better for me. Half the time im not hungry just bored

If you ate a whole jar of nut butter every day then it'd probably make you gain weight as it's very calorific. But if you're cutting out carbs then you need fats to give you energy. I have about 2 large tbsp of nut butter each day with my sliced apples (and also find myself eating a spoonful out the jar if I feel peckish).
Counting calories is so miserable and I never want to go back to that way or dieting

Beans and lentils are great for protein but just be careful as they are very carby and not recommended on a low carb diet. I'd just have one portion per day (black eyed beans are the lowest carb I think) and you should be fine.

teddy, ah okay thank u for that i didnt know! Im thinking tomorrow: breakfast: yoghurt with chia seeds & blueberries
lunch: salad & veg with 1 serving of beans
dinner: spag bowl with courgette noodles?
snack on veg / nuts

sound okay?:)

Sounds great! Good luck!
Also the sachets of options hot choclate are great when im craving sugar. Only 40 calories too (not that we're bothered about calories anymore haha)

As much cheese, meat, fish, eggs, cream, full-fat yoghurt and butter as I fancy.
Lots of salad, avocado, above ground veg; very limited root vegetables, squash, sweet potato, new potatoes.
No floury potatoes, bread, pasta, rice, puddings (except chocolate mousse made with dark chocolate, egg and cream), cakes, biscuits, sweet drinks or sugar.
On maintenance diet dry wine.

ooo yes i used to get them ages ago will get some tomorrow! thanks, i'll let u know how tomorrow goes :)

I can not not eat carbs. I have been doing the no S diet since January and have lost 3 1/2 stone. Great diet, moderation without restricting. Come over to our thread, there is lots of support there.

Ariston, wow thats amazing well done. & i have tried that diet before but unfortunately i cannot do moderation so it always fails for me :(