Not counting is that wrong?

Ok I have not been counting or writing down my carbs or cal intake or protein since my 2 wk check up. I am 5 wks out have lost about 26 pds so far. Now the reason is that I hate to count that stuff. I had to do it for my 12 wk learn class and for my 1st 2 wks home and I am so over counting all that stuff. So I have been "measuring" my loss by how my clothes are fitting, some I can wear now that I could'nt 3 wks ago. so am I wrong for not counting these things? I read on here all the time about how much people "count" every thing that goes in their mouth, I don't want to live my life having to count everything that I eat, I had a friend say to me though that If I  "count" everything I will lose the weight faster, I am not about the "faster" route, I don't mind it coming off a little slower actually gives me some time to tone up as I go I am going to the gym 3-4 days a wk and walking over a mile each time and doing about 800-900 steps and doing some on the eliciple. so I am exercising.I just want to know if I am wrong in not wanting to count every bite. I do watch the sugars all under 10gms per meal per my doctor and I do watch alot of the carbs I just don't write it down. I am returning to work in 8 days and I just don't have the time, I am busy at work and wil have my carnation drink for breakfast and soup for lunch or something small and quick since it takes me a while to eat and it will take all my 30min to just eat a cup of soup, So am I wrong in not wanting to count all this things? or does anyone have a quick way that I can do it that won't take much time, once home I have things to do too that keep me busy plus I go to the gym in the evening. so any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks

Hi there.  I had my surgery four months ago and I am down 63 lbs 83 in total.  I only write down and keep track of my protien.  I make sure (According to my nut) that I am getting at least 70 grams of protien per day ( I actually get over 80 with the two protien shakes a day).  She always told everyone that if you don't count and write down everything at least be sure to keep track of your protien intake.  I have been doing well.  I am sure a lot of people will say this is wrong but this is what works for me.  If I wrote everything out I would quit.  I too am exercising and so far my 3 months labs came out perfect.  I just make sure to read labels and sick to the 6 and 6 rule.  No more than 6 grams of sugar and 6 grams of fat per meal.  This is how my nut has trained us and its working.  So I may not be writting all of it down but I am very aware of everything I am consuming.

Everybody has things that work best for them.  I too consider myself a slow loser but I have come to terms with this, this is how I choose to make my RNY work for me.

Have a great day and keep up the good work!

Amy

I tracked everything for a while (protein, fat, and carbs) to be sure that my proportions were right.  SInce about 6 months out, though, I have only tracked protein (and the past few months I have only been doing that in a "rough" manner... not writing it down or tracking on the computer... since I now know how much protein in almost everything I eat... and adding extra protien shakes when necessary to keep my protein intake high enough).

I don't personally agree with the idea that you lose faster if you track everything BUT as you add in new foods, it is very easy to underestimate the number of carbs you are taking in and carbs WILL slow down weight loss.

My philosophy is like yours... I did not do this to have to track every morsel I put in my mouth for the rest of my life... that is too much of a "diet" and we all know about the pitfalls of diets.  I also allow myself very small occasional treats for the same reason.  It allows me to eat fairly normally and not feel as if I am constantly on a diet.  I definitely DO watch my food choices and portions, but like you I simply do not have time to track my food at that level of detail.

Lora

I am so grateful for this feed back, I am happy in knowing I am not doing it wrong at least not for me. I do watch the carbs and the further out I go the more I will pay attention to it because I know it can hurt the weight loss in the end. I would love to find a protein "shake" that I could make that tasted good, I am just drinking Isopure waters for my protein along with a few other foods, but I would love to find a simple high protein shake that tasted good and not gritty or have that :thicken" taste to it.I too watch my portions and my new pouch will let me know for sure if it was to large LOL. I love this tool I have been given and I plan to use it well,but I just can't get into writing it all down. I don't want that feeling as if I am on an enternal "diet" for the rest of my life, so I guess maybe thats one reason I don't write things down. Thank you all for the feed back and hey if you all have any simple ideas on good protein shakes with skim milk let me know, I am open to ways to get in more protein. But I must say i don't care for soy I know it is high in protein but I have tried soy milk in the past and did  not like it at all. I know I am still early out(5 wks) but I still need Ideas, I do Instant carnation sometimes for breakfast and I eat some string cheese and can do some lean hambuger but only at times, I am gonna try some salmon tonite hope it stays down, but A good Iced cold protein shake sounds good if anyone has one I cold try let me know. Thanks again.

I have been having trouble eating since I had my TT 2 weeks ago and have been drinking the "Oh Yeah!" RTD protein shakes.  They are kind of pricey, though ($3.89 at the place I get them).   I don't think they taste like protein drinks at all (I like the chocolate the best, but the vanilla is ok), expecially when they are really cold. 

Lora

 Thanks but what is RTD? and where would one buy them? what would you compare it's texture to. Thanks

Sorry... RTD is "ready to drink" (already mixed).  I have only been able to find them at Health Foods Unlimited and online.  The texture is a little thick compared to following the directions for making the powedered protein drinks, but I don't find it to be at all chalky/gritty/grainy (not sure what the word is that best describes some of the powdered protein mixes).  The chocolate, when chilled heavily, reminds me of the chocolate milkshakes that McDonalds had before they went back to using real milk products in their milkshakes.  Sometimes I add just a touch of very cold water to make it a little less thick.

Lora

Finding protien shakes is a tough one.  I had a terrible time because I hated everything.  But I have been able to do the body fortress chocolate.  I buy it at walmart.  I put it in a shaker bottle with skim milk and then add ice.  I shake shake shake and let the ice start to melt them pour it in a cup it seems to (1.) not be foamy (2.) stay really cold and (3.)e not be too thick and gritty.  I was on carnation instant breakfast but there just isn't enough protien and someone suggested i I try  this.  Its comparable to tast and tecture to the instant breakfast in my opinion and the cost is only $13 for a nice size container.  I only use one scoop but drink two shakes a day which boosts my protien intake. 

Thanks for the tip I will have to beat feet to walkmart and try it. I tried a slimfast carb control tonite OMG I gagged it tasted so bad, I just can't handle that thick texture and after taste. So I will give the fortess a try. Thanks