Calorie Counting-It Can Be Beneficial
I wanted to comment on the last part of my last post Calorie Counting Confusion. Here is what it read:
Calorie counting inspires food disorders. An obsession with numbers is not only time consuming, it also fuels our obsession with food and the scale. This is not a natural relationship with food, and can lead to a lifetime of eating disorders.
I do agree to some extent that calorie counting can become obsessive and at times create problems. But it can also be beneficial to someone who is just starting out on their healthy nutrition path. When any of my clients are struggling to see results, I always suggestion counting calories. It gives them AND me an idea of how many calories they are eating and what exactly they are putting in their mouths. After they have done it for about a month and have a good idea of how much food to be eating and the right amounts, I tell them they can stop. Then when it comes time to adjust their calories again, due to weight loss or muscle gain (or both), they track calories for a while again.
For myself, I usually burn around 2000-2200 calories per day, so I need to make sure I am eating ENOUGH calories for my body, so I count calories. Now I don’t do this everyday, but most days, I do. I need to be eating calories in the 1700-1800 to keep from losing muscle.
How do you feel about counting calories? Is it a waste of time or do you find it to be beneficial to helping you reach your fitness goals?
Angie Schumacher is a Certified Fitness Professional who trains clients in her home and is a Women's Boot Camp Instructor in Colorado. She is the author of The Fat Blasting Boot Camp Program and has offered a one stop website to help you with all of your health and fitness needs. Please visit www.BuildingABetterU.com to find exactly what you are looking for!
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I personally don’t count calories at all but instead use portion control, following a healthy weight loss plan that has already been laid out for me. To me, counting calories is a diet, and I don’t do diets, but maybe it does work in other situations – so this is what works for me.
I think you have hit it right on the nail! I think calorie counting is very good in the beginning for people to familiarize themselves with how much they need to eat, how much they are actually eating, etc…
Then, once they can eyeball it- I think it is good to stop. I also think counting macros is more beneficial then counting calories for fitness, IMHO.
Great post!
I think it does come down to a personal thing. I am a little obsessive compulsive, so I guess for me, seeing the numbers makes it all good!
Yes Bertie, the macros are important too. I do track them for a some time also to see where I am at. Good point!
I’m using Weight Watchers, where we don’t count calories but points. Same thing. After two years, I still use measuring spoons to serve myself when at home. If I allow myself to “eyeball” it, I tend to eat more. It can lead to eating disorders for some. But, I find it useful.
The times I don’t count calories, I always overeat. When I’m keeping track…. I can stay in control. It’s always shocking how when I eat the right foods I can eat a lot and stay under 2000 calories, and with the wrong foods, I take in a ton of calories and still am hungry.