What to count for weight loss?

[bonniekins]

Every diet seems to have its own idea about what they should be watching for weight loss, so I thought I’d ask the “experts” here and find out what is working or doesn’t work for them.

Some say to count calories, others say fats, others say carbs or sugars specifically. What have you been counting and is it working for you or is it just a flop?

I’ve personally counted just about everything, so I’m trying to get a bit of assistance in terms of direction.

[umeshsharma723]

Every diet seems to have its own idea about what they should be watching for weight loss, so I thought I’d ask the “experts” here and find out what is working or doesn’t work for them.

Some say to count calories, others say fats, others say carbs or sugars specifically. What have you been counting and is it working for you or is it just a flop?

I’ve personally counted just about everything, so I’m trying to get a bit of assistance in terms of direction.

Weight management always comes down to calories that you take in verses those you burn off. Calories are the energy in food, which your body constantly demands to keep itself functioning. Carbohydrates, fats and proteins are the nutrients that contain calories and are main energy sources.

Now, if we come to counting calories, your weight is a balancing act. If you eat more calories than you burn then you gain weight.

3500 calories equals about 1 pound of fat. So, you need to burn 3500 calories more than you take in to lose 1 pound. So, if you cut 500 calories from your diet each day you would lose 1 pound in a week (500*7=3500 calories).

[kellykatt]

Weight management always comes down to calories that you take in verses those you burn off.
Now, if we come to counting calories, your weight is a balancing act. If you eat more calories than you burn then you gain weight.

I completely agree with you, umeshsharma723.

When all is said and done, whether you eat fat, protein, sugar, carbs, or anything else, their energy is all measured in calories and that's what you need to cut. It's true that you need to balance them well, with the right nutrients etc. Also, you don't want all of your calories to come from protein or fat or carbs exclusively. Give yourself a variety of healthy foods and be careful to count your calories properly to encourage slow steady weight loss, and you'll have yourself on the shrinking track in no time.

[suzie]

Sometimes counting calories, carbs, sugars, etc can start to wear on you and it can make a diet fail. If you just try to eat reasonable portions and aim for heathy foods made up of primarily veggies, you might find that you have more luck in the long term.

[treehuggertodd]

Try going vegetarian for a week and you'll find that you really don't have to count anything. You'll automatically lose weight.

[silvertoes]

Before attempting to change your lifestyle and eating habits, you need to get into the right frame of mind. The most successful approach is to set yourself realistic targets. Losing weight the healthy way takes time and patience. So once you have decided to slim, be realistic.

[bruceH]

Make sure that whatever it is that you decide to count - fats, calories, etc etc - that you do it properly. You can't just slash your daily calories back to 500 and then expect everything to be fine. You need to make sure that you're on the right track and in a way that you will be able to maintain or you'll never make it past a few weeks. Even then, if you've gone to extreme measures, then it's likely that you'll just gain the weight right back in the same amount of time or less. It isn't as much what you decide to count as much as it is important to do it right and make sure it's a plan that you'll be able to continue following over time.

[Jazz555]

Once you understand that equation, you're ready to set your weight-loss goals and make a plan for reaching them. Remember, you don't have to do it alone. Talk to your doctor, family and friends for support. Also, plan smart: Anticipate how you'll handle situations that challenge your resolve and the inevitable minor setbacks.

[Paplo]

Studies have shown that some people can gain fat stores even on a semi starvation diet of 1000 calories a day - if it's composition is high carb, low fat. So obviously, calories aren't the key to fat loss.

Cool, but in that case, what is? I think that calories have to play a role of some kind but is it more based on macro nutrients? Because I've tried going low carb and that only worked temporarily until the weight all came on with a vengeance. I think that low carbs just messed up my metabolism something fierce. So if it's not low carbs and it's not low cal, and I believe low fat has also been disproven because a lot of fats are actually good for weight loss, what is the secret to counting down for weight loss?

[PaulLo]

what is the secret to counting down for weight loss?

There is no "secret". At least not a single one that works for everyone. Don't base your weight loss choices on what is counted in the diet. find a diet that works for you and then track what you're supposed to. Stick to the rules of it. If you really feel lost and can't pick one on your own, then talk to your doctor because that's what he's there for. Then you'll know just what you should be counting for your own body and your own diet, instead of what worked for other people.