A Calorie is NOT a Calorie

Burn more calories than the ones being consumed, right? That’s how it’s done – the scientific process of losing weight. Whoever said “a calorie is a calorie” was seriously mistaken. This statement is the bane of my existence as I strive to preach health and wellness to the men and women around me.

Many people have become preoccupied with counting calories that the actual health content of food is often forgotten. If you are burning more calories than you are consuming, yet the content of those calories consists of junk food, you will never achieve the body you desire. You will never look fit and toned, but rather soft and squishy. I have seen it so many times; busy career women who work all day and skip every meal but dinner, only to leave them with a frail physique I often refer to as “skinny fat”. A lot of the time, the weight that these women are losing (from starving themselves, eating very few calories, and/or eating poorly) is simply water weight and lean body mass (also known as fat free mass) instead of actual body fat.

I do not personally count calories, and I do not advise my clients to do so either. Instead, I recommend choosing whole, healthy foods and eating them every three hours in the form of a protein, complex carbohydrates and good fats. By monitoring the portions of the whole foods you are eating, you will surely lose weight and decrease your body fat percentage. Eating healthy foods every few hours is the only way to guarantee soaring energy levels as well as a fit figure.

This is not to say that calories is not important. We MUST burn more calories than we are consuming to lose weight. Period. However, I am more concerned about the types of foods I am putting in my body; the better the quality of food, the better I will look and feel.

To understand portion sizes, think in terms of “less is more.” For protein, 3-5oz. per piece of meat, or 3-5 egg whites; for starches, 1/2 cup or 1 slice of bread per meal; for nuts or nut butters, 2 tablespoons is about right. You get the picture. For more information on portion control, email me! I also provide customized online nutrition plans as well as online personal training for a very low cost. Check out KatieHumphrey.com for more information!

Remember that it’s quality, not quantity. Treat your body like it is the most valuable asset you have while on this earth. If you are good to it, it will last you longer than if you mistreat it. Try to adopt this type of mindset if you haven’t already, and your life will be simplified when making food choices. Here’s to your health!