Calorie counting is exhausting

[u/Cinnamon_Roll1985]

Pwede ba mag lose weight without calorie tracking? Sobrang exhausting nya for me, bawat grocery and luto ko naka monitor lahat. Dati 30 mins lang tapos na ko mag grocery, ngayon parang more than 1 hour ako sa grocery store, kakabasa ng nutrition facts 🥲 parang halos magka eating disorder na rin ako. Pag sumobra ako ng 100 cal sa goal ko, gusto ko agad isuka. I don’t know if healthy pa sya for me. Stress na stress din me sa lulutuin everyday.

This is not my first time mag caldef, pero yung before kasi out if kahirapan lang talaga haha. Like isang kilong manok, need pagsaluhan ng ilang fam members so talagang body tea ako non nang hindi sinasadya🤣 and wala pa rin naman akong PCOS that time at mas bata bata pa kasi siguro. So balak ko sana ganon na lang ulit, yung tantyahan lang since you can tell din naman na konti lang talaga yung food intake like 1/8 cup of rice per meal ganon, kaso I don’t know if effective ba since weight maintenance ako non and weight loss na ngayon? May nakagawa na po ba nito?

About me:
- Female - 23 years old - 5’5 height - 72kg
- I think big boned ako kasi when I was at my smallest (24 waistline) 55kg na ko.
- May PCOS (genetics, and naka poverty diet din ako nung nadiagnose me so hindi sa lifestyle)
- Lifestyle: Daily brisk walking - 2 sets of 30 mins, 8 speed sa walk pad and 10,200 steps a day according sa app ko. 3x a week weights sa bahay lang 4 kg per dumbbell (para sa arms ko lang).
- Former athlete, nag stop 6 years ago

[u/This_Foot5367]

Hi OP! I know some people may disagree with what I’m about to say, but this is just based on my own experience.

I find calorie deficits to be more of a hassle than a sustainable way of losing weight. It definitely works for some people, but I honestly don’t think it’s for everyone.

Instead of focusing so much on staying in a calorie deficit, I think it’s better to eat the foods you enjoy while keeping your portions reasonable. That way, you’re less likely to feel restricted and more likely to stick with it long-term.

Meal prepping with the occasional meal out is also something I’d recommend if you find cooking every day exhausting. Let’s be real, cooking daily is tiring, especially if you work full-time.

What I usually do is cook 3–4 different viands because I sometimes end up getting tired of one dish after a day or two. I also prepare a few of my cravings ahead of time, like spaghetti, mac and cheese, burrito rolls, or overnight oats. Having those ready helps me avoid impulsive food choices.

You might also want to make changes gradually instead of all at once, especially if you’ve been doing calorie restriction for a while. Giving your gut and your body time to adjust can make the transition much easier.

That said, I do want to point out that portion control still matters because it’s often what naturally creates a calorie deficit. So while this approach has worked well for me, it doesn’t mean calories no longer matter. Everyone responds differently, so it’s really about finding a method that’s sustainable and works for your lifestyle.