Losing weight and getting healthy is a goal for many people in my life currently. What works for one person might not necessarily work for another person. What I do know is that fad dieting doesn’t work for most people. Instead of dieting, I always encourage a lifestyle change. Cut out the processed food and start eating clean. There is some debate on whether you should count calories or not. I personally am an intuitive eater; I don’t count calories.
Calorie Counting
Calories are considered units of energy. If you eat more calories than your body needs to sustain yourself, you gain weight. Calorie counting banks on the idea that by reducing units of energy you will lose weight. The problem with strictly calorie counting is that it doesn’t emphasize the quality of calories. All calories are not created equal! Just because you ate 1200 calories for the day doesn’t mean you ate healthy.
If you do overeat, calorie counting can be helpful. There are apps available to help you track your daily eating. Be careful though. I have seen people become obsessed with calories. This can lead to an unhealthy approach to losing weight.
Intuitive Eating
Intuitive eating relies on the premise of being in-tune with your bodies needs. The idea is to form a healthy relationship with food. Listen to what your body needs. This approach takes awhile to learn, especially if you are an emotional eater. I am an intuitive eater. I eat every 2-3 hours based on what my body tells me. I eat small portions and focus on healthy foods. However, I don’t get upset if I have a piece of cake! There is no shame in having a cheat meal.
The idea is to feed your body healthy food instead of depriving your body of calories. On a calorie counting plan, you might starve your body just because you hit a certain amount of calories for the day. If you are already eating clean, it is easy to become an intuitive eater. If you have been eating out a lot and your diet is full of processed foods, it might be hard to jump right into intuitive eating.
There is no right or wrong way as far as calorie counting and intuitive eating goes. You might need to start out counting calories to keep yourself accountable. However, hopefully you will reach the point where you can rely on how your body feels to know what to eat. I know when I need green veggies. If I have gone too many days without juicing, my body starts to crave it.
Whatever method works for you, just keep in mind that this should be a lifestyle change! Fad dieting doesn’t work. Also keep in mind that it’s not just about weight loss. It’s about feeling good. Weight is just a number and doesn’t mean you are fit. Read my previous post on why I think you should ditch the scale!
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