So by now, we should know what a calorie is, and understand what a calorie deficit is. If not, then read my article on calories. Go ahead. Do it now. Just click here.
Back? Good.
So now we know what a calorie is, and what a calorie deficit is.
The next thing to figure out is the diet.
Too many people see diets as short term affairs.
Wrong.
A diet is simply a word used to describe our eating habits. For some (most) of us, our diets need monitoring, some parts need changing completely, whilst others just need improving slightly.
Food is made up of calories, which can be broken down into 3 Macro-nutrients. Protein (4 calories per gram), carbohydrates (4 calories per gram) and fats (9 calories per gram).
In order to maintain a healthy diet, all three should be consumed.
Notice how I said to maintain a healthy lifestyle all three should be consumed. Whilst some diets (such as keto) place a heavy emphasis on staying away from Carbs, this isn't really a sustainable diet for most people.
Imagine life without sandwiches.
Difficult ain't it.
But I don't want to get off topic.
So, why do we count calories?
Why is it important, or at least, very advisable?
There's a whole bunch of diets for weight loss around out there, but they all revolve around putting the subject into a Calorie Deficit. How many times have you heard someone say they're doing slimming-world 'again'? Or they're going 'back' to weight-watchers?
If you 'failed' on the plan the first time, then you'll probably 'fail' the second time. Why? Because the plan was unsustainable. Because after you lose the weight, and you leave the group, you go back to the same habits and routines as you did before. Because they didn't educate you properly when it comes to calories. They keep folks at arms length because in six months once they've put the weight back on, then they'll be back, paying customers once again.
When we understand how calories work, and the importance of a calorie deficit when it comes to fat loss, then we can understand how to lose weight, and how to maintain weight afterwards.
There's a pretty applicable saying: what gets measured, gets managed.
Which means understanding how many calories are actually on our plate, and how many we should be consuming, are two important factors in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
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