Burn the calories you eat…even if that means counting calories!
Ever hear the saying don’t count calories? Or counting calories doesn’t help you lose weight? So here’s how I feel about this and I have said this time and time again and I am going to keep saying it because I truly believe it…Everything in moderation! While counting calories may not help you lose weight, it will help you maintain your weight. You may not lose weight by counting calories, but I can promise you that you will likely gain weight by not counting them. It is best if you count your calories and make sure you are burning enough calories based on your fitness goals and ideal weight for your height and age. If that means counting calories, then you should do it! And yes, I realize counting calories is extra work and not the most fun thing in the world, but losing weight once you put on the extra calories isn’t the easiest task either. It’s better to fix or curve the problem from the front end before it starts rather than try to fix it from the back end after it is spiraling. And to be clear, I am not saying count calories one for one; take a guess and round to make it easy on yourself. Have a benchmark and estimate in your head. This doesn’t have to be homework or something you write down unless that is what is going to help you be accountable. For me, I usually keep a going tab “in my head” and basically click the reset button at the beginning of each day. It’s not a weekly tab, just a general daily caloric intake count so that I can ensure I am burning as many calories as I am consuming in order to maintain a healthy body weight.
Further, it is best to not only count your calories, but also consider what you are putting in your mouth! So rather than treating your body like a garbage disposal or trashcan, consider what you are putting in it. Counting calories to some people means you can eat whatever you want as long as you stay within your desired caloric intake range, but that’s not always the best way to think about it. You should also consider what is going to help fuel your workout, what will help build muscle, and what will make you feel the most energetic. It is often said that eating junk makes you feel lethargic and lazy, which can often lead to poor results when you workout because you don’t have a high energy level to push yourself during your workout. So my best advice to you? Read and remind yourself of the graphic below.
~jj