I used to exercise at the gym, dying a thousand deaths, and laser focus on the number of calories burned (according to the machine I was on). And I knew that lifting weights would cause me to burn calories long after the workout ended. When my sweat session ended, I'd get in my car, excited to be a fat-burning maniac, and steer my car into a drive-thru. Not every time, but a lot of the time. Because I just "knew" that I would burn off whatever I ate or drank (Starbucks mochas and McDonald's cheeseburgers mostly). They'd magically evaporate and I would end up with a rocking body. Have you seen the shirts, "I run because I love cupcakes"? It's funny, but it's also jacked up on some level. Do you ever convince yourself that you can "work off" the naughty foods you ate? When we buy into the lie, it turns exercise into a form of punishment. So let's break down the calorie conundrum. First of all, calories = fuel & energy. Calories are little messengers that carry pieces of information. So why don't we count calories in the here and now?
Calorie counting leads to short-term success. It's like a band-aid when surgery is needed.
Calorie counting will cause your body to revolt with MORE hunger and a SLOWER metabolism.
Calorie counting will make you obsessed, thinking about food constantly. It's time-consuming to measure, count, and analyze. We end up in self-imposed prison.
Calorie counting is all about rules, and ignoring what your body is trying to tell you it needs.
Calorie counting leads to misery because you're restricted. That restrictive misery leads to a future binge (or binges). Having a damaged relationship with food results.
Calorie counting is imprecise. Even the labels on food products isn't exact (which blows my mind). That means that 2 scientists could disagree on how many calories are in the same apple.
Calorie counting can't discriminate. All calories are not equal. We've got minerals, proteins, vitamins, and fats to consider.
Calorie counting negatively impacts your mood, energy, cravings, libido, hormones, and skin. Sigh.
Let's leave the 1983 calorie-counting nonsense in the past and focus on the better way. Just like I prefer a tape measure over a scale, let's stop tallying points and numbers and do this instead: >> Listen to your body. >> Trust yourself. >> Experiment. >> Reduce junk food. >> Swap processed foods for wholesome foods God grows. >> Eat a variety of proteins, fats, vegetables, fruits, and carbs. >> Lower your stress. >> Get more sleep. >> Remember that food is simply information. >> Splurge sometimes. >> Love your body. >> Focus on nourishment. >> Take the lifestyle one day at a time. Want the easy way to simply enjoy tasty foods and lose fat? Check out my Fit + Fresh Membership, where there's no calorie counting! Get 7 days free by clicking HERE!
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