How do you break old SAD calorie counting habits?

[lovemy2girls]

I know that I dont need to count calories and all that anymore. But there are so many SAD myths when it comes to 'dieting' and I find myself having a hard time forgetting those things. Mainly things like trying to stay away from fruit that is really sugary, things that are fatty, and no-calorie foods/drinks etc. Im just finding it hard to forget everything Ive learned while on a SAD, even though I know none of it is even true. I feel like Im re-learning how to eat & cook.

Correct me if Im wrong...but my understanding is that on a raw diet, I should be able to eat whenever I need? I am definitely eating a significant amount more than on a SAD, but its raw, and I can feel that its easier to digest. I am having a very hard time letting go of the calorie counting.

btw, I feel FABULOUS! I have got to be the happiest, most positive person in the WORLD on my raw diet. Its only been about 2 weeks, and I feel 100% different! I am not 100% raw but very close, and getting closer every day

[RawSar]

:woot:
2 weeks and feeling gooooood. That is awesome!

For the calorie counting all I can say is not doing it is probably going to save you some time... How are you going to spend this new time you have? :)

Eat when you want, experiment and figure out what works for you. :)

Raw vegan lifestyle is a whole new world of eating and preparing food! Enjoy it! I know I do ;)

[sport]

The uppermost thought when you look at food should be "is this natural and will my body know how to deal with it efficiently". If the answer is yes then your body will take it in and deal with it and eliminate what it does not want. If you eat like this then you can not overeat.
Your body does not know how to deal with diet drinks and even if they will not cause weight gain they will cause so many other problems..

[changeisgood]

I was onsessed with calorie counting and I think I asked the same if not similar question.
I trusted what everyone said to me and that same day just stopped and haven't needed to do it since.
I can tell if I am gaining or losing and my body tells me exactly what it needs.

Now, just because you can eat whenever you want - doesn't mean have a party and devour every fruit or veggie in site.
As a matter of fact, after awhile, you will automatically begin eating less.
I would read others menues for the day and say how can they eat so little, I was having my three and snacks in between. Now, a month and 1/2 later, I am doing the same.
My body says more protein and I listen so I don't grap my husbands burger out of his hands. I have a hempshake and craving no longer. If I need carbs, I eat what will satisfy that, and so on.
It really is magic.
What's great is you won't fall off this pink cloud like we did on diets. It continues and you will se many changes in your life.

So, give yourself permission to atleast try to not count calories for a day, a week, and so on if you can't go cold turkey. But I'll bet you can.
And there is always a website that can tell you - you'll have to ask someone else for that.

[modernmonkey]

Now wait a minute. Before you stop calorie counting (which I agree must happen), let's take advantage of the fact you HAVE been doing it.

1) How much are you averaging?

2) Are you attaining naturally without restriction?

3) Are you cutting calories?

4) Are your choices affected by calorie counting?

You must stop counting calories but what have you learnt from the few days you have been? It could be that what you have learnt will actually help you give it up. It could be that what you have learnt will help you make healthier choices?

[MyRedPanda]

Well I still count calories - I have a program on my phone which makes it quite easy to just log what I eat. I am obsessed with it, I must agree. :throwhearts: I guess I just like knowing what my macros are every day.

[Shels]

Sometimes you just have to ignore it. Eat what you need without the obsession getting in the way of enjoying your nutrients.
Easier said than done though, I have the caloric contents of most foods memorized, so I have a hard time escaping it. *rolls eyes*

We can overcome!

[ShelShel]

After reading everything raw I could get my hands on, and all of it saying the same thing...if you eat raw...enjoy. I let go and tried it. I found that my body responds so quickly to raw...I could let myself relax. I never measure anything. I eat until I'm full. As long as it's raw...I can have it. There is a freedom there that I have never experienced and that is what helped me let go of counting calories and measuring. The freedom that raw brought.
:excited: Raw=Freedom!

[lovemy2girls]

After reading everything raw I could get my hands on, and all of it saying the same thing...if you eat raw...enjoy. I let go and tried it. I found that my body responds so quickly to raw...I could let myself relax. I never measure anything. I eat until I'm full. As long as it's raw...I can have it. There is a freedom there that I have never experienced and that is what helped me let go of counting calories and measuring. The freedom that raw brought.
:excited: Raw=Freedom!

Ive found the same thing, there is definitely a freedom with raw that I have never felt before. Its very liberating :dance: