Boost your weight loss with calorie counting made easy.
We all seek the best for our weight loss but calorie counting can be a pain in the you know what. When it comes to fat loss and working to maximize our efforts, we need to make sure that we know exactly what we’re doing and what we are consuming. At the end of the day, more calories out over less calories in is how you get those weight loss results, so by putting an emphasis on calorie counting, and making it as easy as possible, those weight loss and body composition change results are right around the corner.
But it can be a pain to have to count and constantly feel the need to keep up with recording every single calorie going into your body only to have to record every calorie that leaves. Being strict and diligent with your calorie counting is important, but if you don’t enjoy the weight loss process, then it can just become debilitating.
So, while this is an effective strategy for weight loss and keeping yourself accountable to your weight loss efforts, you don’t have to be under the spell of calorie counting. You should be in control because when you feel like you are doing everything you can to see the best gains to those desired results, you are way more likely to succeed.
Let’s talk calorie counting and see just what makes this strategy so important for your long-term goals. With the right approach and how best to make this as easy as possible, you will feel less stress and can better tackle all of those calorie counting wants and needs no problem.
Why Calorie Counting Matters
Calorie counting is important because it ensures that you are eating the right amount without taking in too many calories. In order to lose weight, you need calories out to be greater than calories in (1). We know you know this, but a refresher never hurts.
Too many people think they are eating less calories because they are eating a so called “healthy” food. But even the healthiest of food has calories and eating clean and smart doesn’t work as intended if you stuff your face and take in too many calories. With an emphasis on calorie counting, you can better tackle all of those weight loss goals while enjoying the entire process (2).
Best Ways To Make Calorie Counting Easy
This approach to weight loss can seem like a pain but by making calorie counting easy on yourself, you can easily tackle those goals. Plus, you will feel more inclined to do it if it is easier and more accessible to you and all your goals.
Meal Prep
By meal prepping and having your food made in advance, you can count calories ahead of time to know exactly how many are in each meal. This makes sure that you don’t have to count every single meal and by putting the effort in up front, it will better pay off in the long run (3).
Properly Read The Nutrition Label
We know you know how to read a nutrition label, but always double check the serving size and calories per serving because this is where you could run into some problems. Misreading or missing something on the nutrition label can hurt your gains and potentially lead you down a road of despair. Remember what to look for and don’t be afraid to double or triple check (4).
Don’t Focus On Every Single Detail
You do not have to focus on every single detail of calories and by allowing yourself a little freedom, you allow yourself the ability to enjoy the process without stressing. These labels are not exact and nor should your plan be. Nothing is perfect and while we all want to hit a set number of calories right on the nose, it just isn’t possible. Give yourself some leeway and understand that counting calories lives in a range, not as an exact science.
Use An App
There are great apps out there that can help track your calories so you have a convenient way to do so. By using these apps and having all of this information on your phone, you reference it easier and keep it as organized as possible. Also, these apps tend to have libraries of sorts where each food and their respective amounts of calories can be easily referenced. Looking into these apps and seeing which ones may be of assistance to you can be a game changer when it comes to your goals.
Stick To A Routine
By sticking to a routine, you can better tackle any of those goals you want to. Plus, by eating the same, or at least similar food, you don’t have to constantly be checking your calories because you will roughly know the amount each time. So, by sticking to a routine, you can better structure your day and allow yourself to more easily count those calories.
Know It Takes Time
As with all forms of dieting and losing weight, just know it takes time. With a focus on too much at once, it can feel overwhelming, however, it just takes time to see those results. If you understand this fully, you can enjoy the process, embrace the speed bumps when they come your way and better tackle those goals as you look to see only the best results possible.
Wrap Up
Counting calories can be challenging but it isn’t impossible and should be made easy for you. With the right approach and full understanding of how best to count your calories, you can better prepare yourself for the road ahead and this weight loss journey you’re about to embark on. Taking the right steps to feel as secure as possible with your weight loss transformation requires diligence when it comes to calorie counting, but when made easy, all of those goals are entirely possible.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
*Images courtesy of Envato
References
- Howell, S.; et al. (2017). “‘Calories in, calories out’ and macronutrient intake: the hope, hype, and science of calories”. (source)
- Harvard Medical School (2020). “Calorie counting made easy”. (source)
- Ducrot, P.; et al. (2017). “Meal planning is associated with food variety, diet quality and body weight status in a large sample of French adults”. (source)
- Goyal, R.; et al. (2018). “Food label reading: Read before you eat”. (source)
