I always thought counting calories was a complete waste of time.

When I found myself failing with every attempt to reduce my weight through diets, I had to rethink my strategy.

I discovered that calorie counting could be highly effective, but only if done right!

Can counting calories help you with your weight loss goals?

The answer to that would be yes and no. Allow me to explain.

But first, let's discover exactly what a calorie is.

What is a calorie?

A calorie is simply a unit of energy. All organisms need energy for their survival and need calories to fuel their bodies.

How counting calories can help you lose weight?

Counting calories helps you figure out the amount of calories you have eaten in a day. By knowing how many calories you eat, you can then determine how many calories you need in a day to lose weight.

It does take time to count calories every day. But in my opinion, it's well worth it. Here are some reasons why.

-It's so easy to overeat if you don't know how many calories you're consuming. I was a terrible judge of portions or how much I was eating. And so I got fatter and fatter. Counting calories help me bring order into the chaos of overeating.

-Gaining the knowledge of how much you're eating each day, or how much you shouldn't be eating gives you certainty that you're on the right track. You feel calmer, which of course helps reduce stress.

-You see your weight reducing every day by your actions, and this makes you feel positive and happier.

-You begin to have more energy because you're no longer stuffing yourself and putting a burden on your digestive system. Your body begins to feel less bloated and more comfortable.

Here's another strategy you can use to help.

If you're serious about losing weight, you need to use strategies that can help you lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

One strategy is intermittent fasting. It can help you lose weight faster. Intermittent fasting involves eating during a specific time window or fasting for a specific length of time during the day.

The keys to losing weight with calorie counting

When you eat a healthy diet that meets your daily calorie requirements and often exceeds them, you can lose weight with calorie counting and maintain a healthy weight. But, there is more to calorie counting than just the number on the scale.

The dangers of counting calories too strictly

Never use calorie counting to overly restrict yourself. Don't use it as a punishment to make yourself wrong. Doing this will cause you to overeat by triggering emotions. It's just a guide so you can take control of how much you're eating. That's all it is.

Summary

Counting calories can be a useful tool if used correctly. There are many free apps like fatsecret.com that can help you. The key is not to be too restrictive and to use calories only to guide you. 

Of course, you need to be eating nutrient-dense, healthy foods. Like I said, a calorie of sugar is not equal to a calorie of broccoli. Be a responsible eater, and you'll win.

Remember to focus on the mindset aspects of calorie counting. It brings order into the chaos of overeating. It gives you the knowledge you need to know how much you're eating. It creates in you a feeling of certainty and calmness.

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