How many calories do any of you consume in a day? I just did my fitday after weeks of ignoring it and while I remain under 40 carbs a day I was astounded to see how many calories I'm consuming. Should i just ignore the calories and continue?? I'm losing, because I do exercise and lift weights. Thoughts??

Thanks
Tracy

Hi Tracy,

That is the wonderful world of Low Carb. Calories do not matter. Quality of food, and quantity of carbs is what you need to focus on. Especially if you're seeing success in weight loss!

Besides, it just becomes another bragging point to others -- "See, I consume 7500 calories a day and I lost 100 pounds!! Neener Neener Neener"

Well.. you get the picture.

Michelle -- 208/196/140
Started Atkins 9/03
On my way to finding the new me.... WATCH OUT WORLD!!

What's a calorie?

I've never been one to bother with those. I guess some folks do (or believe they do) when they get close to goal.

I, for one, do not believe all calories are the same. To do so would suggest that our bodies would digest and "turn to fuel" everything we eat with the same effeciency, and I don't believe that's the case.

Mikeyrat

Started Atkins 5/30/2003
337/272.5/237 - 6'2" 43 YO
Wife: 224/194/165 - 5'11"

Eh-hem...IMHO, calories DO count; not as much on induction, but when your weight loss slows, some people (a majority?) need to pay attention to their caloric intake to sustain weight loss. Here is an excellent article that will give you information, as well as provide you with a tool to determine what your caloric level should be.
Atkins: Count Carbs? Count Calories? What Gives?

Here is a link to determine your basal metabolic rate.
Basal Metabolism Calculator

I guess with everyone, YMMV.

Kellie, F38
Started Atkins 8/1/03 (off and on for the last few years but sticking to it this time!)
206/186/170-160 -- 14.5 inches GONE! (as of 10/21)

Well, yeah, in as you need to make sure you're getting *enough*!!

I reckon there's plenty of reason to count them later on, but for most of us counting carbs is bothersome enough. If eating eventually becomes a monumental task, then folks aren't going to stick to it as well. Also, I fear that TOO much emphasis on calories will make some folks develop some bad habits and try to get by with some "low-cal" foods which will do more harm than good just to stay in a nepharious calorie count.

We harp like mad at people about "READ THE BOOK!" and for the most part, the good Dr. was pretty blind to calorie counts. I would only fret about them as a last resort, and only when I was really close to goal.

The main idea is to eat healthy and feel good. And since the number one reason for people to quit LC is menu choices, we don't need something else to limit our options, IMO.

Mikeyrat

Started Atkins 5/30/2003
337/272.5/237 - 6'2" 43 YO
Wife: 224/194/165 - 5'11"

Right now Im not gonna worry about calories...unless I start to notice a problem... Im losing right now so I'll keep it at that...for now...might have to watch more in the future..but smooth saling right now....
Hugs, Lisa


lc since 8-8-03
298/264
want to be 175 at least LOL

You are all right...

Calories do count. While LC allows us to eat more, it is not a license to gorge...

We need to/should/may want to/can if we so choose pay at least cursory attention to the amount of calories we consume.

Calories do not all count the same. The whole thing about insulin response goes to faster, more efficient metabolizing of carbs as opposed to fats and proteins.

If your eating well, losing well, and keeping the carbs under control, don't worry about them.

--jim

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by mikeyrat: for the most part, the good Dr. was pretty blind to calorie counts<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Mikeyrat, I pretty much agree with your other points and the excellent perspective your provided. To me, calories are just another tool. Dr. A, wasn't blind to portion control at all. To my mind watching portion sizes (honest measuring, weighing, counting) has the same effect as counting calories.

In addition to the many specific portion sizes prescribed in DANR, I have a newsletter from from Dr. Atkins where he practically rants against the "supersizing" of food portions as practiced by the American food industry (The Super-sizing of the American Meal, March 3, Issue 23) <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> "The folks who sell you food are actually trying to accustom you to eating ever larger portions. That's the road to profit for them and the road to obesity for you." — Dr. Atkins <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
...Okay, I just wrote and deleted a whole history of my weight loss journey (boring!). To cut to the chase, my nutritional requirements have changed twice (major shifts) since I started in January.

It's a lot easier to track that kind of thing looking at total calories, which is a summary, than it is looking at the actual composition of the diet (and I did try looking at it many ways before concluding that calories was the easiest). I have admit, if Fitday and Dietpower didn't automatically figure calories for me, I probably wouldn't use it as a tool.

~~~Teelbee

174 (Mar. 2002, highest weight), 164 (Jan. 2003, begin LC)
174/132/137-134
remember, amateurs built the Ark, professionals built the Titanic

I guess the real answer to do calories count is
yes and no and perhaps maybe. lol

I track my calories after the fact. I eat a meal or two and then enter it into fitday. The thing is that every week for the past 3 months when I do my weekly averages of calories, carbs etc, My calorie average is always between 1930 and 2080 with most weeks within 20 calories of 1950. I think that's just what my body needs to be satisfied (not full). And didn't Dr.A say eat until satisfied. I think his plan just naturally puts you in the right eating pattern if you don't go too far off plan.

Rob

I think they count but you shouldn't need to count them. I view low-carbing as an attempt at appetite control rather than calorie-control. When I eat the right foods, when I'm still in ketosis, all other things being equal, I'm going to be less hungry, choose smaller portions, and snack less often. That's the way it works.

The cool thing about it is that you can eat fewer calories and not even KNOW about it. "What's a calorie?" is a great attitude!

You need air to breathe, but you don't worry about how many breaths you take in a day, do you? It would be a very difficult life if we had to count our breaths. I like low-carbing because it lets me not have to worry about such details.

**************
"Sometimes I think you have to march right in and demand your rights, even if you don't know what your rights are, or who the person is you're talking to. Then on the way out, slam the door."

Since I've got a thread up there about counting calories, I thought I'd put in my two cents here.

I got down to my "set point" weight on Atkins without counting calories--about 22 lbs. lost. I was happy. However, I've been in a long holding pattern (more than four months) and I think it's time for me to take a look at the whole picture, which may involve calories as well. So I'm counting.

It isn't hard for a person to consume 1500 calories--and that may be too much for my present height, weight, and age--even with daily exercise. However, I prefer eating those calories low-carb style rather than low-fat. I feel more satisfied, and I'm eating wholesome foods I like.

Barb L.
Started Atkins January 2003
162/135/140

Chippykd, just wanted to say thanks for posting the site address for the basal metabolism count. I can see now why I'm not losing any weight and have been stalled all Summer. I put the information into use yesterday and, oh joy, the woosh fairy came and I've dropped a whole pound! You are now at the top of my "Great Folks List"

Weaverdan

I guess the reason I figured calories don't count and that you only need to worry about carbs is because I DON'T gorge anymore and I eat very moderately.

I used to be a "grazer" and now I am easily able to just have 3 meals a day with a snack. I eat till I am comfortable not stuffed. I've relearned how to recognize my hunger signals and my satiety signs. And I use common sense and wisdom to make my food choices so I am not consuming bucketfuls of sour cream or anything.

I think eating like this doesn't require counting calories. But different strokes for different folks!

Michelle -- 208/196/140
Started Atkins 9/03
On my way to finding the new me.... WATCH OUT WORLD!!