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This week's tip is simple. It is also very important for those who are looking to lose or maintain weight (while also looking to save a little cash). The tip: count your calories.
This principle is basic Weight Loss 101. You can read all the weight loss books ever written and buy all the DVD's you want, but all good weight loss programs begin with this foundational principle: calories in, calories out. The percentage of your food that should be carbs, protein, fiber, fat, sat. fat, etc. is relevant to your overall health and should not be neglected. But when talking strictly about losing weight, they don't hold too much relevance. There is some importance to how often you eat (food activates your metabolism, so eating--the right things--early and often helps you metabolize food and thus lose weight more efficiently). There is some importance to when you eat (your metabolism is slowest while you're sleeping, so eating before bed should be avoided). Although there is some importance to those and other issues, they're not the most important. The most important element to weight loss regards calories.
Here are the two most important questions when looking to lose weight:
1. How many calories are you taking in?
2. How many calories are you using?
That seems too easy to be true, right? I mean, weight loss can't be that easy, right? Well it is. If you net positive calories (take in more than you use), they are stored. They eventually turn to fat. 3500 calories = 1 lb. For every 3500 extra calories you take in, you will gain 1 lb. That's pretty basic, simple math.
When people ask me about weight loss (I lost 45 lbs in less than 1 year), this is the first thing I tell them. There are calorie calculators on line that can take your stats and give you a general idea of how many calories you need to take in based on your activity level. Although there is no perfect solution as each individual is different, it should give you a pretty good idea. You might have to adjust it as you go along to better fit your specific needs.
Knowing how many calories you need is a good start, but it's not enough in and of itself. Next, you need to count your calories. I'm not recommending that you necessarily do this every day (although it might help some people) but in the beginning. Start by figuring out how many calories you're currently taking in. You might be surprised. Calories can add up fast. There are websites dedicated to helping you count your calories and even track it. I used www.dailyplate.com during my weight loss.
Keep in mind that it's just as important to eat enough calories in a given day as it is not to eat too many. You need calories to burn calories. It's a weird principle, but it's true. Be careful never to deprive yourself of a proper amount of calories. This is another reason I recommend the use of a calorie calculator. If you ever have a doubt, seek council from your medical provider.
The cool benefit of counting calories is that it helps you to save some money. How? Think about it: Eating less cost less. Instead of eating 2 portions today, you can stretch it into eating 1 portion twice. If you consume less food, you will spend less on food. It's simple math.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
To all of you who are trying to lose weight: Good luck!
This principle is basic Weight Loss 101. You can read all the weight loss books ever written and buy all the DVD's you want, but all good weight loss programs begin with this foundational principle: calories in, calories out. The percentage of your food that should be carbs, protein, fiber, fat, sat. fat, etc. is relevant to your overall health and should not be neglected. But when talking strictly about losing weight, they don't hold too much relevance. There is some importance to how often you eat (food activates your metabolism, so eating--the right things--early and often helps you metabolize food and thus lose weight more efficiently). There is some importance to when you eat (your metabolism is slowest while you're sleeping, so eating before bed should be avoided). Although there is some importance to those and other issues, they're not the most important. The most important element to weight loss regards calories.
Here are the two most important questions when looking to lose weight:
1. How many calories are you taking in?
2. How many calories are you using?
That seems too easy to be true, right? I mean, weight loss can't be that easy, right? Well it is. If you net positive calories (take in more than you use), they are stored. They eventually turn to fat. 3500 calories = 1 lb. For every 3500 extra calories you take in, you will gain 1 lb. That's pretty basic, simple math.
When people ask me about weight loss (I lost 45 lbs in less than 1 year), this is the first thing I tell them. There are calorie calculators on line that can take your stats and give you a general idea of how many calories you need to take in based on your activity level. Although there is no perfect solution as each individual is different, it should give you a pretty good idea. You might have to adjust it as you go along to better fit your specific needs.
Knowing how many calories you need is a good start, but it's not enough in and of itself. Next, you need to count your calories. I'm not recommending that you necessarily do this every day (although it might help some people) but in the beginning. Start by figuring out how many calories you're currently taking in. You might be surprised. Calories can add up fast. There are websites dedicated to helping you count your calories and even track it. I used www.dailyplate.com during my weight loss.
Keep in mind that it's just as important to eat enough calories in a given day as it is not to eat too many. You need calories to burn calories. It's a weird principle, but it's true. Be careful never to deprive yourself of a proper amount of calories. This is another reason I recommend the use of a calorie calculator. If you ever have a doubt, seek council from your medical provider.
The cool benefit of counting calories is that it helps you to save some money. How? Think about it: Eating less cost less. Instead of eating 2 portions today, you can stretch it into eating 1 portion twice. If you consume less food, you will spend less on food. It's simple math.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
To all of you who are trying to lose weight: Good luck!
2 comments:
Wha???? Okay you kinda lost me some where, i'm not really sure where cuz i wasn't really paying attention. Any ways, i lost 2 pounds already! Yay, gimme aplause!
pastor mike, i don't really think i have a problem with my weight. let's see, so far today, and this is since breakfast:
1 medium size bowl of honey nut cheerios.
1/2 a peanut butter and jelly sandwich
1/2 a banana
3 oreo cookies.
and, i am going to get a snack of
1 fruit cereal bar.
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