Am I alone?

I don't count calories. I don't count protein beyond my required daily amount, which I usually achieve by 10 am with a shake and quest bar.

I eat tiny amounts of what I please. More than what my 2 year old eats, less than what my 5 year old eats. Always protein first.

For me, counting calories and protein would make me much more food obsessed. I had the surgery to leave that behind because I was making myself nuts.

Am I the only one who lives this way? I am almost 8 months out, I feel great, have lost 75 pounds and am consistently working out. But am I doing myself a disservice by not keeping perfect track?

Yes, yes you are.

KIDDING!

Of course not. Lots of folks do what you do.

I do not.

My only comment is this. I think it's a good idea to periodically check in on your calories and log them. Like one week a month or every few months. As you get further out and can eat more (and your innards correct themselves and old cravings resurface) it's amazing how the brain can convince you that you're still on the right track when you are not. So checking in periodically tends to keep you honest.

But other than that I think if you are capable of being mindful, eating the way you should, etc. there's nothing wrong with not being calorie obsessed.

yes, you are alone...

everybody else on here counts them.... duhhh

jk lol...  i just believe that counting them is a way to "be in control" of yourself..until you can get on a path that makes you stay there..

Did you just duh me? Naughty!

How much protein is in the quest bar and your shake? I am suppose to have 120 g of protein they said a day. I might need to look into what shake your using! That is awesome I say what works for you keep doing it. Congrats

My NUT and Doc said that anything over 60 grams of protein is overkill. I have a hard enough time getting in 60 grams a day I cannot imagine trying to get in double that amount.
How do you do it?

My doc started me on 60 gr per day... as the time went by, and my blood test showed low normal protein levels - I was told to add more, then add more... then add more..
Now, 4 + years post op if I don't get 120- 150 gr proteins per day - my tests show low normal proteins.
But then I don't (can't) eat carbs - so my body is using the fat and proteins for energy and for proteins.
Low proteins - means that the body may have a hard time repair itself and will use muscles to balance proteins in the blood. Muscle loss = weight gain as fat (eventually). 

I don't. I'm 19 months post op and have been maintaining a 120 pound loss for 9 months. If I were to gain I would probably start logging my food.

Don't mean to be a Debbie Downer but up until about 3 years out you can do pretty much anything you want.  

As long as you stick to the lifestyle, and don't think that this weightloss nirvana and maintenance is forever you will be just fine ...  because for the vast majority of us, this honeymoon period is just that - a honeymoon!   Once you are off the high and excitement and settling into the day to day humdrum marriage with your pouch, things will be very different!

Getting your protein requirements from food regularly during the day is more healthful than loading with supplements, but whatever floats your boat and whatever you think you can do for the rest of your life (remembering that you will most likely get your appetite and hunger back and be able to eat a ton more in a year or two than you can now!)

I am 5 years out and maintaining my weight loss.  I have NEVER counted a single calorie or carb or fat gram.  I count only protein and follow a "protein first ALWAYS" rule and limit "white carbs" and fatty foods (but I eat things like full fat cheese).  If I really want a particular food item, I have it... just in a small amount.  Last night I had a turtle chocolate chip cookie.

Counting calories and tracking daily food intake would make me crazy and feel like I was on a perpetual diet.  Others find it necessary, but that would NOT work for me.

Lora