Diet, Nutrition and SupplementationPost here for supplement reviews or nutritional advice. If you're trying to get "ripped abz" THIS is where you should be.
Do you count calories? If not, how do you manage your caloric intake.
I find that I am able to stick to counting for a few weeks, but then it becomes a pain.
Right now I am using this system:
fat loss - meat/cottage cheese, fruit/veggies, good fats, post workout shake, 6 meals, eat more slowly and stop when somewhat full
mass gain - same as above plus whole grains and yogurt, 6 meals, eat until you are full, then eat a little more
This system kind of works. The problem is there is not a good way adjust intake. If you are counting calories and you haven't gained on a mass plan in two weeks, then you can add 250 calories, but I cannot really find a way to add calories in small increments; the system is too imprecise for that.
What system of calorie control do you use. Should I just find a way to stick with counting calories?
I haven't had a soft drink in a year or more. I haven't eaten white bread or cheaper wheats in 6 month or more. I use refined sugar very sparingly.
I'm probably changing my body composition at a much slower rate than if I exercised strict discipline, but as long as I'm moving forward, it's all good.
I counted calories for three years straight and made consistent progress. Now, I know how many cals, etc. are in everything (or close). In general, I make a lot of the same things over and over again, so I've got a good handle on things. So, in essence, I guess I still count, in a way.
Quote:
fat loss - meat/cottage cheese, fruit/veggies, good fats, post workout shake, 6 meals, eat more slowly and stop when somewhat full
This really works? How often do you go back for seconds? How often do you leave food on the plate? I know the "right" amount when I cut or scoop it off the platter. Scoop less.
I sort of use a similar system, but I know what a serving is for me. 4-6 oz of meat. 1 cup cottage cheese. I don't put more on the plate and leave some. I don't go back for more. Assuming you do this, too, just scoop less.
Actually counting calories is a pain. If you're always around the PC/Mac, you can use fitday.com. It's better than nothing, but it sucks.
Calorieking.com is better. If you have a Palm PDA or Treo, you can use their Palm software on those and always have it handy. There are some decent Windows Mobile apps, our there, too. Same convenience.
Counting by logging in a book and then sticking it fitday.com isn't really counting calories, it's more of a game of 'see how close I got."
After all this downtalking of calorie counting, I still think it can be valuable. I learned a lot from my 3 years of it. A lot.
This really works? How often do you go back for seconds? How often do you leave food on the plate? I know the "right" amount when I cut or scoop it off the platter. Scoop less.
Hmm, you made me think. The thing is I can eyeball the portions well. I did not count calories for 3 years, but on and off for a year. So on a rare occasion I will leave a part of a chicken breast on the plate just because I have had enough. I never go back for seconds (in the case of fat loss), unless it's more veggies.
I count like a fanatic. I use a program called CalorieKing that makes it easy (and, for me, fun). It is like Fitday, but with a MUCH bigger database of foods. You punch in the foods and exercise and it keeps track of the calories as well as the nutrients. That way you can also track your macro percentages.
I have been doing this for six months every single day and I have had very good success (60 pounds in six months). It is like a game to me to see if I can hit my targets for calories and macros, etc. I can plan my day in advance and make sure it will work out, etc.
I count like a fanatic. I use a program called CalorieKing that makes it easy (and, for me, fun). It is like Fitday, but with a MUCH bigger database of foods. You punch in the foods and exercise and it keeps track of the calories as well as the nutrients. That way you can also track your macro percentages.
I have been doing this for six months every single day and I have had very good success (60 pounds in six months). It is like a game to me to see if I can hit my targets for calories and macros, etc. I can plan my day in advance and make sure it will work out, etc.
I've never used the Web versions of CK. I will be giving it a shot if I get serious about counting. Fitday, as useful as it is, isn't easy to use. CK has so many items already in the database, it makes it easy.
What makes it great for me is that I use it for my Palm as well, and they sync together. Yes, it was an extra expense, but well worth it for me. I use the desktop and Palm, and not the web version, since the interface for the desktop is even faster and easier. I use the desktop at work and the Palm at home at night and weekends.
I would have to say that CK is probably the best money I have spent on my fitness (other than my gym membership). I could probably have gotten by with the free version of Fitday, of course, but the Palm interaction is huge for me.
Like LD Im a creature of habit. So keeping a food log and writing down the macros and calorie counts is key and then I can go back and check it.
Its a great exercise tho when you actualy stop counting and hit your goals to actualy pull the rope in and start measuring as complacency really ads a few hundred calories here and there if you are not careful.
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BFG
"The time for talking has passed, actions are speaking louder than words."
I just keep a journal. Measure/count, write it down, add it up throughout the day. It's nice that most of my food is compartmentalized such as to make it easy. When I want good results versus just not gaining weight I pay more attention to ratios, getting minimum protein. Otherwise, that's it. I've been at it long enough that either this works or I need to get so anal about every little detail that I don't give a crap and just do this anyway.
Calorie Control/Counting
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