Hey guys, not sure how many of you are familiar with calorie counting?  I’m a huge fan of it since it helped me to lose 50+ pounds.  It also makes perfect sense… calories in vs. calories out.  Burn more calories than you consume and you’ll lose weight, eat more than you burn and you’ll gain weight.  Easy peazy!!

Since being back from my NYC vacation, it’s time to get back on track and back to the calorie counting.  Personally, I seem to lack an “off” button when it comes to food, so calorie counting just works for me.  It helps keep me on track and accountable.  I’m also able to see my macro nutrient ratios and how much fiber I’m getting each day.  I’m a knowledge geek.

My very favorite website for logging my food each day is www.livestrong.com.  It’s free and I think it’s pretty straight forward and user friendly.  They also have a huge database of foods, making it easy to log what you eat.  Plus, if you eat the same thing regularly, that item will be starred and come to the top of the list.

You can also set calorie goals, participate on forums for support, keep track of fitness goals, create and search meals and recipes, and keep tabs on your macro nutrient levels and water intake.  So much information.  If you’re an info junkie like me, you’ll love it.

You can see my breakfast, morning snack, and lunch all logged in already.  Each section gives a total of calories, fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbs, fiber, protein, and sugars.

Along the right side, you can keep track of your weight (there’s another page for that) and it’ll also show a graph as to how you’re doing day by day with keeping your calorie goals (I’ve been on vacation, so mine is a bit empty).

This next bottom section of the page will show you your daily intake totals.  The amount of total calories, fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbs, fiber, protein, and sugars you’ve consumed that day.  There is a recommended amount that the program will give you for your calorie goal too.  Sometimes I follow it, sometimes not.  I usually consume much more fiber than it recommends… that’s why my fiber and protein are in the red.  Livestrong also allows you to keep track of your water consumption on the right side of the page.

Notice the pie chart on the right side of the page… I find it very helpful to see how I’m doing with my macro nutrients… fat/protein/carbs.  I usually try and aim for 20% protein, 30% fat, and 50% carbs.  I think it’s individual to everyone though.  Each person’s body is different.

Oh, and they also have a great iPhone app.  Although, I was not a fan of the newest upgraded one though.  I’m keeping with the older version, less issues.