[toneshark]

Hello all,

I don't think that calorie-counting is tolerable for anyone. Especially if you plan to eat the way you lost your weight for the rest of your life.

There are plans out there that don't make you do it, such as stronglifts.com and the abs diet. I'm not sure if there are any others...

But I was wondering if any of you had any knowledge of such plans - or if you could point me into the direction of a website that may be helpful or maybe if you know of any books that don't force you to count?

Weeks ago, I had actually began to think about this way of eating and had posted something about this in the general exercise and fitness thread I started.

I could follow my own rules - but I actually would like some guidance from someone else before I would do so.

If any of you have suggestions, by the way, they'd be greatly appreciated.

Some things I've been thinking were:

cons:

*there's no way to know whether or not you're going over or under your basal metabolic rate
*you can't predict your weekly fat loss if you were to do this

pros:

*you can live your life like a normal person
*it's not annoying
*it doesn't suck

Thanks all.

[kingpole]

Try http://www.weightwatchers.com.

Me i do low carb, primarily because i am diabetic and that is the best way to keep blood suagr levls in control. As far as losing weight its a slow way to go, But then i can eat 2000 calories per day and not gain.

[Dingdong]

Avoid extremes if you want to permanently change your body. Use some common sense. You want a diet that's sustainable, not some mentally lazy, bullshit fad. What you want to do is increase the amount of fiber, complex carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables, fish and lean meats in your diet.

Every time you plan a meal, think in terms of how it will affect your body. So, for example, you might want some hash browns, bacon and eggs for breakfast, but you're trying to eat healthy. So, let's say you would normally eat 5 pieces of bacon and 2 eggs. Instead, you're going to eat 2 pieces of bacon and 1 egg and substitute a bowl of oatmeal for the hash browns. Furthermore, instead of pouring refined sugar and butter on your oatmeal, you're going to add some honey and blueberries. Presto! You've just created a more balanced meal with fewer calories and far less vein glue.

It really is common sense. Become educated about what you're eating, adopt a philosophy of balance and listen to your body.

[Dingdong]

Originally Posted by kingpole

Try weeightwatchers.com.

Me i do low carb, primarily because i am diabetic and that is the best way to keep blood suagr levls in control. As far as losing weight its a slow way to go, But then i can eat 2000 calories per day and not gain.

I second the recommendation for Weightwatchers. It seems like a balanced program. My roommate is doing the program and has lost a lot of weight and gained more energy.

[Pegasus]

I like dindong's post.
What he seems to be saying is to avoid large amounts of calorie dense food.
So high fat food is calorie dense ,eg bacon, but then so is some high carb foods eg soft drink.
If you eat food more" whole" it tends to be less calorie dense. So baked potato instead of french fries.

I suspect, you already know how to eat and are resisting the dicipiline required.
Sorry bro, many paths but all are difficult.

[Nacho]

Counting calories isn't that difficult due to web based sites like Fitday. I've been doing it for about four months now and plan to continue.

Somedays I don't count because I'm too busy and other times I just have to guess because I ate out.

I think the most important issue is just making smart choices as has been mentioned.

Lyle McDonald sells a book called "The guide to Flexible Dieting" that discusses maintaining weight and has a section specifically for people who don't want to count calories.

You also can do the "caveman diet" also known as the "ketogenic" diet or "Paleolithic" diet. You won't have to count calories but it is restrictive in food choices. Similar to what Kingpole mentioned you do not eat refined carbs and use fat as a fuel source.

Everyone's body is different so you may do great on a low carb diet ... or not.

[toneshark]

Originally Posted by Pegasus

I like dindong's post.
What he seems to be saying is to avoid large amounts of calorie dense food.
So high fat food is calorie dense ,eg bacon, but then so is some high carb foods eg soft drink.
If you eat food more" whole" it tends to be less calorie dense. So baked potato instead of french fries.

I suspect, you already know how to eat and are resisting the dicipiline required.
Sorry bro, many paths but all are difficult.

Unfortunately, you're right about me resisting discipline.

I do, however, still think that these diets you find in magazines and so forth are extremely unaccomodating because it's unrealistic for alot of common situations.

For instance - on the men's health site - they have a personal trainer program that will give you a workout and give you an entire grocery shopping list, as well as a weekly diet. There's no calorie counting there - it seems like all the work is done for you.

The only thing is - the grocery list would sometimes come out to $100+/week per person. That's not the only problem with this system in particular...

And then there's the fact that this weight loss business requires you to place more importance in your results than the importance you place in living your life and enjoying yourself.

I could use my own example to illustrate. This fall - there will come many a day throughout the week that I'll be tailgating before a game or at a party with some girls - on my 18th beer.

I believe that this may be the problem with alot of people, actually...

we convince ourselves that it's realistic to live the same lifestyle as someone who didn't have these interests.

I believe Mehdi from stronglifts.com actually said, as one of his philosophies - "don't be perfect."

He said to workout 45 weeks a year and eat healthy 90% of the time (now that I actually go to the website to get the exact quote) - which will (according to Mehdi) result in healthy bodyfat and a high amount of muscle.

I also read an article on t-nation once that mentioned the philosophy of "once is better then none - twice is better than once - three times is better than twice" when it comes to eating right and exercising.

I also understand that alot of people warn about the problems with alcohol.

Even though I realize these - I still can't find myself becoming concerned about it because the image in my head of me grilling out here in 20 years for my friends and family WITHOUT drinking beer - or going to any major sporting event without having alcohol on hand and drinking like I love to drink - this image is one that comes with feelings of boredom and questions of "what's the point?"

Alot of people would find this as a problem if I were to think that there's no point at all in grilling out or going to a game if there's no alcohol involved...

Keep in mind, though - I'm not as serious as I sound when I make that statement.

Kingpole's suggestion on weight watchers is a great one.

I find their point system very interesting. The only drawback is that it's costs more than I can afford at the moment and I still know that I'll be drinking and eating like a pig on some day, whether I commit to some other plan that says otherwise or not.

Anyway - after mulling it over for a while...

I think I'm going to just try my best to eat healthy.

I'm going to buy tuna, lean ground turkey, spinach, apples, raisins, oatmeal, honey, 100% juice, skim milk and the like when I go to the grocery store. I'm going to drink a ton of water everyday...

I'm going to eat a protien bar before weights and drink a shake afterwords...

and I'm going to lift 3 days a week and train bjj 5 days a week with some boxing and wrestling thrown in there as well.

I'll see how it goes.

Thank you all for your advice - as always I know I can come to this board and get great input.

[toneshark]

Originally Posted by Nacho

Counting calories isn't that difficult due to web based sites like Fitday. I've been doing it for about four months now and plan to continue.

Somedays I don't count because I'm too busy and other times I just have to guess because I ate out.

I think the most important issue is just making smart choices as has been mentioned.

Lyle McDonald sells a book called "The guide to Flexible Dieting" that discusses maintaining weight and has a section specifically for people who don't want to count calories.

You also can do the "caveman diet" also known as the "ketogenic" diet or "Paleolithic" diet. You won't have to count calories but it is restrictive in food choices. Similar to what Kingpole mentioned you do not eat refined carbs and use fat as a fuel source.

Everyone's body is different so you may do great on a low carb diet ... or not.

Thanks for your advice, Nacho.

I'm going to look up the diets you suggested right now and see what they're all about.

[shane_syndrome]

when I want to lean out during the summer ill eat lean ... not much more then that just eat lean meats and take my supplements , ill lose about 3lbs of fat a week.

just don't try going for a quick fix diet or change your diet drastically (you don't want to lose much more then 3lbs a week ) for 2 reasons

1. its not healthy
2. you might just bounce back to where you started

... And make sure you work out ( if you work out in the morning your metabolism will be increased for the rest of the day)

[C.Phantasy]

2 Letters, WD.