More Than Just Calories
If you’ve read my blog for long enough, you might have noticed a trend. Almost every week I talk about some new key factor to gaining or losing weight. I mean, what gives? Am I just hopping every week on the next bandwagon? Or do I just keep changing my mind? And why don’t I talk more about CALORIES?
Confusing, eh? But trust me, there’s a method to my madness.
You’re an individual
There are two main reasons why I talk about a multitude of weight gain contributors,
The first is that most people have more than one factor contributing to their excess weight. We’ve been incorrectly told for years that weight loss just comes down to eating less and moving more.
Just reducing our calories and increasing our exercise won’t work. I mean, that might work in our teen years, or maybe even into our 20s. But as we get older, and the imbalances we harbor become more prominent, calorie restriction on its own becomes increasingly unlikely to be effective. Because with age, our bodies become less likely to just bounce back from our true imbalances. And there are many more factors besides calories that contribute to excess weight.
Second, our imbalances tend to be individualized. That means that what you really need to be successful is not what your best friend needs. There are many reasons that your body can be storing excess fat. Some are emotional and some are physical. And we must get to the bottom of what you personally need for success.
A Bevy of Options
My job is to give you the options. To tell you what can be creating a problem. There are certain factors that affect almost everyone. For instance, last week I talked about the gut, an important topic for most people looking to lose weight.
But the reasons for your weight gain are specific to you. Ultimately, my job is to increase your understanding of your own body. And it becomes your duty to be really truthful with yourself. To listen to what your body has to say. And to discover which things I talk about resonate with you.
There is No Road Map
We want answers to be easy. But there isn’t an exact test that will tell you precisely what your body needs. There is a level of experimentation that needs to occur. Trial and error is invaluable. But with persistence, you can come to a greater understanding of your own body. And this knowledge is golden.
Because just counting calories is haphazard. You can count your calories for a month, 6 months or even a year. But how can you count calories forever? It is a flawed system.
Here is why the calorie counting theory doesn’t make sense. If you go over by 25 calories a day for a year (the amount of calories in a lifesaver), you’ll gain 3 pounds every year or 30 pounds every decade. If you go under by 25 calories every day for a year once you hit your target weight, you’ll become dangerously emaciated after a few years. Obviously, we can’t eat EXACTLY the right amount of calories. But one extra lifesaver a day could lead to obesity? That doesn’t make sense, does it?
We have to look at other factors than calories for the true culprit. And those factors are based on you.
Let Go of Your Obsession With Calories
I know it feels scary at first. But calorie counting isn’t your friend. It might have brought you temporary results in the past. And it might have seemed like your friend in your younger years. But trust me when I say that calories alone aren’t sabotaging your waistline.
The reason you’re gaining weight is most probably more complex than that. And while calorie counting might make you feel in control, it isn’t really giving you control over your body. In fact, it is doing the opposite.
Calorie counting can lead to food obsession. It can lead to unhealthy binging. It can lead to feelings of food deprivation leading to emotional eating. And it is messing with your metabolism.
Be Patient with Yourself
Take the time to really explore YOU. Find why your body is reacting in certain ways. And focus on healing, not on simply depriving.
This method may take a little longer. It might not feel as instantly rewarding. But it is much more likely to bring you long-term success.
And that is definitely something worth waiting for.
I’ve never been a calorie counter so now I’ll take your advise and not start. The thing that had the most beneficial impact on weight loss for me has been cutting down on sugar. That’s something that reading your blog has been at least partly responsible for.
I love that reading my blog has made you more mindful about sugar. Being mindful of sugar is one of the best health changes you can make so that makes me very happy.
I agree with what you said about, “Calorie counting can lead to food obsession. It can lead to unhealthy binging. It can lead to feelings of food deprivation leading to emotional eating. And it is messing with your metabolism.” I counted calories over the years, when I was younger it worked pretty well. But, as I got older, I started having thyroid issues, it was harder to do this because if I would stay with the required amount of calories to lose weight, I would be super tired and weak. So, now I just make sure I have enough protein/veggies/fruit/grains to keep my energy up throughout the day. It seems to work for me to have about 300 calories every 3 hours.
Thyroid issues make losing weight difficult in so many ways and so many of us women experience them. Glad you are taking care of yourself.
Thank you! I put calories out of my mind years ago for many of the reasons you outline and I really appreciate the ‘your way’ approach. I rarely eat sweets – being one of the few women on the planet who doesn’t care for chocolate, and I don’t have the patience for ‘dieting’, so it took awhile to figure out what does work for me is portion control. What I have to be diligent about is including a variety of foods because sometimes I get so involved when I’m working on a project that I’ll eat the same thing again and again if it’s what’s available in the fridge. 🙂
I know..it is so easy to eat the same foods over and over. I could do that to.
Calorie counting works but is not sustainable long term. It is so easy to become obsessive about everything you eat and drink. Portion control is the best thing. Never denying yourself anything and not eating too much of any one thing.
Food obsession really can be a problem. I’m glad it seems like you have a healthy relationship with food.
I’ve never been a calorie counter and have managed my weight quite well. Until that dreaded menopause made its way into my life. I’d love for you to do a post specifically dedicated to menopausal women who are battling the bulge, Erica. That includes most of us in the 50+ range.
When I was getting ready to write my Masters thesis for school, I was planning for my topic to be menopause and weight loss. And then I found that it was difficult to find research on the topic. I’ll definitely address the topic in an upcoming post.
Yes to Doreen’s comment! I wake up in the morning and think: where did my muscles go?
Erica, you do a GREAT job conveying the information above and have truly made me double think things I do. I have continued to limit my coffee intake to my beloved decaf Nespresso and have noticed that I feel better.
I know your blog can’t specifically address individual’s issues, but I think you give us all good food for thought–and for eating. Thank you!
Thanks so much! And yes, we start losing muscle at age 30! I’ve never had a very muscular build and so I have to fight just to have little muscles so I totally hear you.
Erica — I agree that counting calories doesn’t work as a strategy over the long haul. One of the best pieces of advice I got from a nutritionist is to stop eating when you’re no longer hungry — not until you are full. I’ve fallen off the wagon in terms of weight but I’m back to following that advice and I know the pounds will come off, but gradually, and that’s OK.
Gradual weight loss is the best kind. I’m totally with you with wanting things NOW. I’m not a very patient person. But you’ll do better long-term that way. Love the advice your nutritionist friend gave you.
I know people get obsessed with calories, as for me I found out I need to maintain them. If I do cut down calories, I loose my energy to work out. Without the exercising, even with low calories, I start loosing muscle mass and tone.
Thanks for sharing.