Should You Count Calories?
Counting calories is a big topic in the fitness industry. There are many views about calorie counting. Some say you should because it is a good guide to stay on track. Others say it makes eating stressful and you shouldn't worry about the calories that you are eating and just use your senses to determine what and how much you eat.
Personally, I see both sides. However, both can cause issues.
Counting calories can help you stick your goals, BUT it's very easy to become obsessive over it. You can start worrying, stressing, and limiting yourself. You could start not allowing yourself to eat ENOUGH calories.
Note that in order to lose weight you need to be at a caloric deficit. That doesn't mean starve yourself. That doesn't mean just eating 1000 calories. If you are wanting help to decide what that deficit should be, talk to a skilled dietitian or personal trainer. Do NOT consume the same amount of calories as a fitness influencer does that you follow on Instagram. Everyone has different calorie needs depending on genetics, muscle mass, height, metabolism, etc. There are ways to calculate your caloric deficit manually but seeing a professional about this is the safest way.
Not counting your calories can also be an issue. If you do not pay attention to what you eat, it's easy to overeat or not get enough essential nutrients. Eating intuitively, which has become extremely popular recently, is when you eat without feeling guilty but also recognizing what your body needs. Also, you eat until you feel satisfied. This is the stage that everyone would like to get to, but it's hard to eat intuitively if you are not fully aware of your body's signals about food and hunger. Counting calories can help you recognize when you are full or hungry as well as how many calories you need. Intermittent fasting can also help you recognize hunger signals and know what true "hunger" means. In today's world, food is literally all around us. Most of us have never felt truly hungry because food is always available. Fasting can help you identify hunger signals and learn when to eat when you're actually hungry. *Perform intermittent fasting at appropriate times, shouldn't be a regular thing*
Know that throughout life your calorie intake will change. It's okay to eat more or fewer calories depending on your goal. Typically, you are at a calorie surplus if you are trying to gain muscle (eat more calories than you are burning) or you are at a calorie deficit (eat fewer calories than you are burning). If you are trying to maintain your weight, play around with how many calories you consume and try to notice changes in your body. Nothing is permanent so it's okay to experiment and see what works best for you!
Calorie counting is common for bodybuilders, powerlifters, and bikini competitors. People who perform in these activities have to be dialed in on their diet in order to get maximum results. For the average person, calorie counting can be a beneficial tool but not required to be healthy.
Can you lose weight without counting your calories? Yes. It may take longer but it is definitely possible. Just starting off by eating more whole foods and less processed foods will make an enormous difference.
If you are counting calories, here are some things to watch out for:
-Restaurants are allowed to be 30% above or below the actual amount of calories their meal contains. Meaning, if a restaurant says their burger contains 700 calories, it's possible that it actually contains 1000 calories.
-Food companies can be 20% above or below the actual amount of calories.
Restaurants and food companies will most likely claim that their foods contain 30% fewer calories than it actually is for business purposes.
I'm not pointing this out to make you worry or stress, BUT if you are counting your calories these are some issues that you may face.
In my opinion, life is too GOOD to stress about the small things. Nutrition has become so difficult and picky, causing people to be more confused than they ever were. Eat moderate amounts of protein, fats, and carbs and you will be happy and healthy. Period. Counting calories should be something you can focus once you have taken care of the essential things like creating a habit to get good rest and exercise.
Hope this information helps!
Love,
Gabby
Personally, I see both sides. However, both can cause issues.
Counting calories can help you stick your goals, BUT it's very easy to become obsessive over it. You can start worrying, stressing, and limiting yourself. You could start not allowing yourself to eat ENOUGH calories.
Note that in order to lose weight you need to be at a caloric deficit. That doesn't mean starve yourself. That doesn't mean just eating 1000 calories. If you are wanting help to decide what that deficit should be, talk to a skilled dietitian or personal trainer. Do NOT consume the same amount of calories as a fitness influencer does that you follow on Instagram. Everyone has different calorie needs depending on genetics, muscle mass, height, metabolism, etc. There are ways to calculate your caloric deficit manually but seeing a professional about this is the safest way.
Not counting your calories can also be an issue. If you do not pay attention to what you eat, it's easy to overeat or not get enough essential nutrients. Eating intuitively, which has become extremely popular recently, is when you eat without feeling guilty but also recognizing what your body needs. Also, you eat until you feel satisfied. This is the stage that everyone would like to get to, but it's hard to eat intuitively if you are not fully aware of your body's signals about food and hunger. Counting calories can help you recognize when you are full or hungry as well as how many calories you need. Intermittent fasting can also help you recognize hunger signals and know what true "hunger" means. In today's world, food is literally all around us. Most of us have never felt truly hungry because food is always available. Fasting can help you identify hunger signals and learn when to eat when you're actually hungry. *Perform intermittent fasting at appropriate times, shouldn't be a regular thing*
Know that throughout life your calorie intake will change. It's okay to eat more or fewer calories depending on your goal. Typically, you are at a calorie surplus if you are trying to gain muscle (eat more calories than you are burning) or you are at a calorie deficit (eat fewer calories than you are burning). If you are trying to maintain your weight, play around with how many calories you consume and try to notice changes in your body. Nothing is permanent so it's okay to experiment and see what works best for you!
Calorie counting is common for bodybuilders, powerlifters, and bikini competitors. People who perform in these activities have to be dialed in on their diet in order to get maximum results. For the average person, calorie counting can be a beneficial tool but not required to be healthy.
Can you lose weight without counting your calories? Yes. It may take longer but it is definitely possible. Just starting off by eating more whole foods and less processed foods will make an enormous difference.
If you are counting calories, here are some things to watch out for:
-Restaurants are allowed to be 30% above or below the actual amount of calories their meal contains. Meaning, if a restaurant says their burger contains 700 calories, it's possible that it actually contains 1000 calories.
-Food companies can be 20% above or below the actual amount of calories.
Restaurants and food companies will most likely claim that their foods contain 30% fewer calories than it actually is for business purposes.
I'm not pointing this out to make you worry or stress, BUT if you are counting your calories these are some issues that you may face.
In my opinion, life is too GOOD to stress about the small things. Nutrition has become so difficult and picky, causing people to be more confused than they ever were. Eat moderate amounts of protein, fats, and carbs and you will be happy and healthy. Period. Counting calories should be something you can focus once you have taken care of the essential things like creating a habit to get good rest and exercise.
Hope this information helps!
Love,
Gabby
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