To Count or Not To Count (calories, that is) – That is The Question
by Dinneen
Filed under Blog, Weight Loss
A conversation started between me and some other people on (and off) Twitter today. It all started when my friend at Miz Fit Online blogged about what she eats, because a lot people are curious and want to know.
She talks about how personally she doesn’t count calories or points, doesn’t go hungry, doesn’t think about macronutrients, but instead ’eats clean.’ She says:
“The cleaner you eat the more calories you can consume while not gaining weight.”
In short, for her, eating clean is:
“High quality foods which are as free as you can get them of not-found-in-nature additives.”
And I do the same.
She also says how people are sometimes surprised that she doesn’t eat like a bird. And I don’t eat like a bird either (people are often shocked when they see I eat like a ‘normal’ person).
In her post, Miz Fit also said:
“a calorie isnt a calorie isnt a calorie & I learned to read labels.”
and that is SO true (no matter what some people say about it only being calories in vs. calories out — the type of calories DO matter).
I made a comment on her blog post how I eat and think a lot like she does. Then I went on Twitter and posted part of my original comment:
“I too NEVER count calories, don’t go hungry, DO go for taste, REAL taste of REAL food.”
Well, that got some people talking. And it got me thinking.
People dieting, or trying to maintain their weight, often ask me the question: To Count or Not to Count?
They want to know: What should I count? Should I count calories, fat grams, carbs, points, etc?
So, here’s what I think:
Everybody needs to find what works for THEM. We are all different, we have different needs, lifestyles, jobs, and we all like different foods. Yes, it is better to eat broccoli than french fries from a fast food joint — but you already know that.
Though I don’t count calories or points, it took me a while to get there. I do eat “intuitively,” and it took me a while to get there. And I listen to my body to know what to eat……but it took me a while to get there. I can eat a bowl of ice cream without devouring (or wanting to devour) the whole thing, BUT (you guessed it…) it took me a while to get there. (more on that below, because I can take you there faster!)
I know a lot of you DO count points, calories, fat grams, etc.
And if that’s what makes you feel comfortable and what works for you — then that’s okay.
You won’t, and really can’t, count calories your entire life (who wants that?). But I know, especially in the beginning, you may need or want to. It helps you stay on track and keep control. I get that. I’ve been there and done that. So I really understand.
But you don’t have to do this your entire life.
You can get to the point of where I am today. You can eat intuitively, know what your body wants, and eat “guilty” foods without losing control. It can be done. You just need to take one step at a time. And you need the right TOOLS to help you along the way.
I do have clients that are following diet plans, like Weight Watchers, or South Beach, or whatever. And that’s okay. It makes them comfortable in the beginning. Because if I just say “listen to your body” they don’t understand how to do it. Working together I get them to a place where they can listen to their body and not count calories or points anymore. And they never go back.
Okay — so now you’re screaming: ”But I want to know HOW I can get to that place!”
HOW can I lose weight without counting calories or points?
Well, it just so happens that I’m putting together a program that teaches you. It gives you the tools so you can start to live a life without counting. It won’t happen overnight, because we all know that a “quick fix” won’t work in the long run.
I took me a while to get there, but you can take what I learned, experienced, and have taught my clients — to save you time, energy, and yes, even money.
Because it doesn’t have to take you years. It doesn’t have to take forever. And you don’t have to wait until “someday” to eat comfortably like a “normal” person. And it doesn’t have to be hard. Learn from me and I’ll show you the way. The road is right there, you just can’t see it. I’ll help take down those roadblocks so you CAN see the road.
It just takes knowing what to do, how to do it, when to do it, and why.
So stay tuned as I will give you the tools. And you don’t have to build a mansion with them. Just a small house. A nice, comfortable, clean house. You can do it. I know you can. Because I have, my clients have, and the hundreds of other people I’ve helped in workshops and seminars have.
And if you have to count calories or points right now, that’s okay. It really is.
Dinneen, you are so reassuring. I really love that about you. Even though this program of yours sounds incredibly mysterious and magical, I believe I am learning it little by little, by osmosis. I’m still leaning on my points and calories for now, but as you said, it DOES take time. Just three months ago I was NOT listening to my body OR counting calories OR exercising very much, and you can imagine how it got me to the crisis point I got to. I am now learning to do things and unlearn habits that were decades in the making. I am trying to breathe and stay patient with myself, and I really appreciate your reassurance along the way.
Hi Dinneen,
Once again, a great post. It is interesting how many people count calories, but what I have found, even when I have tried to count, is that I get more stressed and worry about the “numbers” behind the food I am eating, rather than making a full-on lifestyle change.
I think the trick is to just realize where your calories are coming from, instead of the number. If I count, I might say, “Wow, I’ve only had 1,800 calories today” and I usually end up eating more food than I should.
What it gets down to, I think, is the accessibility to good healthy food, and the education of the nation and what healthy food actually is. Numbers are not everything!
Michael
This is a much-needed conversation for many folks. While we may have the goal of eating intuitively, it takes a while for many of us to get there. Along the way, we need to use tools that help us. At Green Mountain at Fox Run, we also see many of our participants who sign up for Weight Watchers or other diet programs; we encourage them to keep doing it if it helps, but to be sure that it helps. For ex, if counting points keeps them obsessing or ending up in a binge, obviously it’s not a useful tool. We do encourage, however, that folks not buy into the weight message of diet programs, e.g., basing success on what the scale says. Instead, we encourage them to acknowledge the other reasons they want to lose weight, and make those their priorities instead. The number on a scale can vary for reasons that have nothing to do with what we eat or how much physical activity we get. Yet if we see it go up, it often discourages us. Our FitBriefing Beyond the Scale talks more about that. http://www.fitwoman.com/fitbriefings/beyond-the-scale.shtml
Thanks for the post, Dinneen. Sounds like you’ve got some tools in store!
Great post! I don’t count calories ever. I try to always eat balanced meals, and by “balanced” I mean around 50% vegetables by volume and hardly any processed carbs and little meat. I balance healthy sources of protein and fat, like fish, beans and olive oil. This is making me hungry….
I have also gotten there, and it was a lot of work. Possibly even more emotional than food/lifestyle based. I had to quit dieting, quit obsessing, and not look back. I count nothing now, but I eat what I think is a quite healthy diet most of the time, and exercise a lot, and I am slowly losing the weight.
I love this! And agree 100% with you and MizFit. The only reason I DO count calories is habit. In that, I don’t necessarily stop at a certain amount- I’m just always aware of how many calories are in the food that I’m eating. It’s all about the real and the natural!
Sagan’s last blog post..Review and Giveaway: “The Healthiest Kid in the Neighborhood” and Sinupret for Kids
Julie — glad you’ve gotten there. Yes, often it is more emotional than food & lifestyle. It depends on the person, but more often than not it’s WHY are you hungry? So it’s great to hear you quit dieting & obsessing — and seeing the weight come off as a result. Yay!
Sagain — thanks! Counting calories can be a habit but one that can be broken (like all habits). But it takes time, just like anything in life.
Thanks to you BOTH for stopping by and your comments!!
I like what you have to say here and I am interested to read about your “program”. Where would I find that on your site?
Thanks for visiting & glad you like what you see!
You can read more about my program under “coaching”. You may also want to sign-up for my newsletter (which you can do on the right hand side), where I not only provide more healthy info, but also give latest updates on programs & events.
Thanks again for stopping by & let me know if you have any more questions or how I can help!
Dinneen