Dieting Club: 50 - 100 Lbs Community
Where did this weight come from? It is time to get busy and take it off. Share ... more
Calories and weigh ins
Rachael2011 posted:
This is supposed to be a lifestyle change so I am kind of wondering if it is really necessary to count calories or journal what I eat. Do you still do that when you are maintaining? Yes, I am lazy. I don't mind measuring my food but the idea of looking up everything I eat and counting it is maddening. I know it works short term, but counting calories, points or whatever has never seemed to last anyway. The journaling part I wouldn't mind if it works.
Also, I read that weighing one's self daily is bad if you are a binger. Don't know if its true or not, though. I am afraid by weighing myself daily I will get obsessed with it (get on and off the scale...oh maybe the scale is broke...try the scale at work and on and on). I know I have in the past. But I do want to know if the changes I make are making a difference in ways other than just how I feel. I like the idea of having a number to measure success. Any ideas?
Also, I read that weighing one's self daily is bad if you are a binger. Don't know if its true or not, though. I am afraid by weighing myself daily I will get obsessed with it (get on and off the scale...oh maybe the scale is broke...try the scale at work and on and on). I know I have in the past. But I do want to know if the changes I make are making a difference in ways other than just how I feel. I like the idea of having a number to measure success. Any ideas?
3 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Calories and weigh insThis is supposed to be a lifestyle change so I am kind of wondering if it is really necessary to count calories or journal what I eat. Do you still do that when you are maintaining? Yes, I am lazy. I don't mind measuring my food but the idea of looking up everything I eat and counting it is maddening. I know it works short term, but counting calories, points or whatever has never seemed to last anyway. The journaling part I wouldn't mind if it works.<br /><br />Also, I read that weighing one's self daily is bad if you are a binger. Don't know if its true or not, though. I am afraid by weighing myself daily I will get obsessed with it (get on and off the scale...oh maybe the scale is broke...try the scale at work and on and on). I know I have in the past. But I do want to know if the changes I make are making a difference in ways other than just how I feel. I like the idea of having a number to measure success. Any ideas?
abnersmom responded:
Hi Rachael,
I believe that logging your food is critical to success. It is time consuming at first but once you have the foods or meals that you usually have saved, it doesn't take long at all. Some of us use the food log on WebMD and others of us use fitday.com. Both are free to use. I am a calorie counter, but I don't think you have to be if you watch portions and nutrition. The food log really keeps you honest about how much you are eating AND more importantly the nutrition you are getting from your choices,
About weighing daily, research shows that successful losers and maintainers weigh themselves regularly. For some it's once a week or every two weeks. I weigh myself daily. It works for me because I like to keep a close eye and understand the sodium and only God knows what else can cause weight gain overnight. Most experts, I believe, recommend weighing once a week at the same time.
I believe that logging your food is critical to success. It is time consuming at first but once you have the foods or meals that you usually have saved, it doesn't take long at all. Some of us use the food log on WebMD and others of us use fitday.com. Both are free to use. I am a calorie counter, but I don't think you have to be if you watch portions and nutrition. The food log really keeps you honest about how much you are eating AND more importantly the nutrition you are getting from your choices,
About weighing daily, research shows that successful losers and maintainers weigh themselves regularly. For some it's once a week or every two weeks. I weigh myself daily. It works for me because I like to keep a close eye and understand the sodium and only God knows what else can cause weight gain overnight. Most experts, I believe, recommend weighing once a week at the same time.
Debbie SW 265 CW 150 maintaining - Don't exchange what you want MOST for what you want at the moment.
Report This| Share this:Calories and weigh insHi Rachael,<br />I believe that logging your food is critical to success. It is time consuming at first but once you have the foods or meals that you usually have saved, it doesn't take long at all. Some of us use the food log on WebMD and others of us use fitday.com. Both are free to use. I am a calorie counter, but I don't think you have to be if you watch portions and nutrition. The food log really keeps you honest about how much you are eating AND more importantly the nutrition you are getting from your choices, <br /> <br />About weighing daily, research shows that successful losers and maintainers weigh themselves regularly. For some it's once a week or every two weeks. I weigh myself daily. It works for me because I like to keep a close eye and understand the sodium and only God knows what else can cause weight gain overnight. Most experts, I believe, recommend weighing once a week at the same time.
Jis4Judy responded:
Hi Rachael
when I started my journey I weighed myself monthly because I knew it would be a long process and the fluctuations would drive me nuts . once in a while I would peek in halfway through just to be sure I was making progress. and anyway My plan wasn't for losing weight it was a plan to increase nutrition because I had already decided weight loss was impossible for me. maintaining I do weigh in more often though like weekly.
I still use fitday because I am checking my nutrition along the way and as Debbie said the logging is easier after a while because you just check off the recent foods instead of searching . it does take some effort to get going on it .. But some of our member just do calculations in their heads and eat as healthy as they can with smaller portions. I believe Amber is one that eats very healthy and she is not a logger
and she is maintaining after removing over 100 pounds
Hugs Judy:)
when I started my journey I weighed myself monthly because I knew it would be a long process and the fluctuations would drive me nuts . once in a while I would peek in halfway through just to be sure I was making progress. and anyway My plan wasn't for losing weight it was a plan to increase nutrition because I had already decided weight loss was impossible for me. maintaining I do weigh in more often though like weekly.
I still use fitday because I am checking my nutrition along the way and as Debbie said the logging is easier after a while because you just check off the recent foods instead of searching . it does take some effort to get going on it .. But some of our member just do calculations in their heads and eat as healthy as they can with smaller portions. I believe Amber is one that eats very healthy and she is not a logger
and she is maintaining after removing over 100 pounds
Hugs Judy:)
SW 247 CW 149ish maintaining
Remember the Gold is not in the prize it's in the Journey
life may not be the Party we expected but while we are here we may as well dance
Remember the Gold is not in the prize it's in the Journey
life may not be the Party we expected but while we are here we may as well dance
Report This| Share this:Calories and weigh insHi Rachael<br /> when I started my journey I weighed myself monthly because I knew it would be a long process and the fluctuations would drive me nuts . once in a while I would peek in halfway through just to be sure I was making progress. and anyway My plan wasn't for losing weight it was a plan to increase nutrition because I had already decided weight loss was impossible for me. maintaining I do weigh in more often though like weekly.<br /> I still use fitday because I am checking my nutrition along the way and as Debbie said the logging is easier after a while because you just check off the recent foods instead of searching . it does take some effort to get going on it .. But some of our member just do calculations in their heads and eat as healthy as they can with smaller portions. I believe Amber is one that eats very healthy and she is not a logger <br />and she is maintaining after removing over 100 pounds <br /> <br /> Hugs Judy:)
blondie454u responded:
I don't log my food but I plan and portion my food out. I still weigh things. I am very good at eye balling things. Once I figured out the right portions I was suppose to eating and got the hang of it after I lost all the weight I stopped counting. I am now maintaining. I don't have as much time as others do even if I put in the regular things I eat it still would be a hassle for me. If I'm hungry I eat. I just eat the right foods in the right amount. It took a while to get there but now it's not a problem for to keep up on what I am eating. You have to do what works for you.
Amber CW 135 maintaining, SW 250. Stress is nothing more than a socially acceptable form of a mental illness.
Report This| Share this:Calories and weigh insI don't log my food but I plan and portion my food out. I still weigh things. I am very good at eye balling things. Once I figured out the right portions I was suppose to eating and got the hang of it after I lost all the weight I stopped counting. I am now maintaining. I don't have as much time as others do even if I put in the regular things I eat it still would be a hassle for me. If I'm hungry I eat. I just eat the right foods in the right amount. It took a while to get there but now it's not a problem for to keep up on what I am eating. You have to do what works for you.
Spotlight: Member Stories
Hello everyone, I am new to this community and have never done this before. I am 37 years old and currently weigh 223 pounds. It feels like I have bee...More
Helpful Tips
justloseit
great fat free snack: sliced apple in a ziplock bag; spinkle as much cinnamon you want add a little splenda More
Was this Helpful?
5
of
7 found this helpful
Helpful Resources
Related News
Related Drug Reviews
- Drug Name User Reviews
Report Problems to the
Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Other Member Communities
- Dieting Club: 10 - 25 Lbs Member Community Share Your Tips and Support!
- Caregiving Member Community The Support and Understanding You Need!
- Parenting Friends Talking Member Community Get Support from Members Like You!
-
More Related Communities
The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, or blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.
Do not consider WebMD User-generated content as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
About WebMD Advertise With Us Terms of Use Privacy Policy Sponsor Policy Site Map Careers Contact Us
First Aid WebMD Magazine WebMD Health Record WebMD Mobile Newsletters Dictionary Physician Directory
©2005-2013 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.