I have been mindful about my diet always but I have never measured my food or done a calorie count. I just ensure that I reduce my carb intake in later part of the day and also keep my proportions standard not making too much variations and that helps me, but yes having a more precise information on the calorie intake will help.
True the ways the general check up happens in hospitals should change, high time. When I visit my GP he does this BP check everytime and also tells me it is just a formality...hehehe