Calorie Counting is Futile

Open any diet or weight loss books, you will see the authors telling you about the importance of counting your calories intake as part of your weight loss plan.

They say by counting your calories intake, it will help you achieve a calorie deficit where you take in less calories than you burn daily. And this is how weight loss is achieved.

For example, if your normal daily calorie intake is 2200 calories and if you only take in 2000 calories, you would have a calorie deficit of 200 calories for that day and over time with strict discipline, you would lose weight.

According to studies, there are 3500 calories in 1 pound or 0.45kg of fats. The logic is that if you could achieve a calorie deficit of 3500 calories in one week, you would have lost 0.45 kg of your body weight within that week.

Sounds incredible, isn’t it?

Personally I feel that caloric deficit is only good in theory. And to make this theory a reality in your life, you must be very disciplined in eating only certain types of food daily. No deviation and no excuses. Just food deprivation.

Over time, by eating only those certain foods, you will get bored and tired with them. You would start to lose your appetite for any food along the way and the purpose of food in the first place.

This is how I observed people lose those weight and live a life deprived of other types of food. They do not enjoy food and eating anymore. Period.

In real life, most people do not have this kind of discipline of eating the same food over and over again on a daily basis. This is also the reason why people gave up after some time.

People who are obese today have already acquired some eating habits that caused them to be so over the last so many years of their lives. No one becomes obese overnight.

Therefore, to change those habits will take a lot of time, discipline, and motivation. Most people would just give up and fall back to their old self again. Many have gained even more weight thereafter. Are you one of them?

I feel that counting calories to achieve a caloric deficit is futile. It is almost impossible because we eat out almost daily due to work. Can you tell me the number of calories in the chicken rice you ate for lunch earlier? What about the coffee and butter toast you had this morning for your breakfast? What about the strawberry cake you had for your tea break? You can only guess and check. How often can you get it correct? 

The high failure rate of calorie counting as a way to lose weight has caused people to be depressed, food deprived, and unmotivated in their lives. This is not ideal.

Instead, you should be thankful for what and who you are now without any regards to what other people might say or think about you. You do not owe them a living. You live your life. Period.

If you are motivated to lose some weight to get fitter, healthier, and happier, without counting calories, then I have news for you.

Here comes Intuitive Eating.

So, what is Intuitive Eating?

Intuitive Eating is about knowing what to eat, what not to eat, when to eat, and when to stop eating. With Intuitive Eating, you are in control of your life. There is no stress like calorie counting. It is a lifestyle change in your eating habits altogether. It is what I practice myself.

For example, instead of fried foods, go for steamed foods. Instead of a Latte, go for a coffee black without sugar. Instead of salad dressings, go for Extra Virgin Oil. Instead of pizza for night snacks, go eat some almond nuts. Instead of processed foods, eat whole. The list can go on and on.

Intuitive Eating is also about you asking for less - less oil, less sugar, and less salt, etc. in your food.

As you can see, Intuitive Eating is about making the right choices. No force. No stress. No food deprivation.

Over time, you will realize that not only you have acquired good eating habits, you would have also lost weight unknowing at the same time. 

In addition, it is to your advantage to start an aerobic routine of at least 3 times a week with each session lasting at least 30 minutes. This will help you realize your ideal weight sooner then later.

I believe it is our choice to stay healthy or unhealthy. It all starts with what we eat and not eat. So, the next time before you put anything into your mouth, ask yourself, “is this going to move me closer to or away from my ideal weight?”

Eat Less. Eat Better. Exercise More. This is my motto for a fitter, healthier, and happier life.

Thank you for reading my article.

You have my best.