Calories are Good!

There is so much focus now in our society (and even in my most recent post) about how we need to limit out calorie intake. Count your calories. Count your points. Count your intake. Calories in = calories out.  But is all of this focus on calorie counting really a good thing?

Yes....and no.  Counting is good.  But when it becomes a race to the bottom line, we can really send our bodies for a loop.  So the real question becomes, when does counting become a bad thing?

For starters, it's a bad thing to count calories when you goal is to eat as little as possible.  In a sense, calories are good.  Think of it as fuel for your body.  If you don't have enough fuel in your tank you risk being "stranded" halfway through your day.  This can make for good short term results, but in the long term your body won't like you very much.

Another drawback of eating as few calories as possible is the risk you run of your body going into survival mode.  If your body feels like it is being shorted on "fuel", it will actually start to convert any extra calories into stored fat.  If you think you're going to lose weight by skipping breakfast and lunch and then eating a 1000-1200 calorie dinner, think again.  You are setting yourself up for failure.  Most dietitians agree that the minimum calorie intake should be around 1200 calories per day (consult your doctor or dietitian for their recommendation).  This will provide you with enough fuel for the day while maintaining a low enough intake to help maintain or reduce your overall weight.

In the end, just remember that it's all about a healthy balance.  To many calories can lead to weight gain, and so can too few calories.  Find a balance that works for you.  The more you know about your body, the better your can strike that perfect balance and find success!