Myth #1 Calorie Restriction and Weight Loss
Welcome to our first installment of the “Myths About Weight Loss” this is part of a series. We aim to inspire you to achieve a happy belly, a balanced body, mind, and spirit, and especially to prioritize your good health.
Myth #1: Counting calories is the best way for sustainable weight loss.
The theory that calorie reduction will drive sustained weight loss is a huge myth. It’s simply not true physiologically. Calories play a small role but are not the whole story. This myth assumes our metabolism remains constant, when in fact, it’s influenced by our food and lifestyle choices.
Problems with Calorie Counting:
Calories are not created equal.
Calories from an apple are metabolized and used far differently than those from a sugar-free fudgsicle.Severe calorie restriction suppresses thyroid hormone, which slows our metabolism.
Your basal metabolic rate determines how quickly or slowly you burn calories. Severe calorie restriction will lower this rate. If your metabolism slows down, you will not lose weight.Dieters are reluctant to eat fat.
Fat is what keeps us satisfied between meals. If you don’t eat enough fat, you will eventually crave and eat the foods you were trying to restrict.
Sustainable Weight Loss:
Calorie counting will not lead to sustained weight loss.
Instead, focus on eating a diet that promotes fat burning. When you are satiated, you will naturally consume less food.If you eat well-balanced meals with few indulgences and your clothes aren’t fitting better, consider looking into sources of inflammation, stress, and hormonal imbalance. We help people who have tried everything and still can’t lose weight.
Weight Loss Tips:
Put the scale in the closet.
Use an article of clothing tried on weekly to assess progress.Try not to be obsessive.
Remember, this process takes time, and your body wants to be balanced.Eat good fats from nuts, seeds, and grass-fed/wild-caught animals.
Avoid trans-fats and fried foods.Eat plenty of organic leafy green vegetables.
Eat organic and nutrient-dense whole foods, not processed ones.
Slow down.
Savor your food long enough to hear your satiety cues. They’re there, but we’re often too distracted to notice when we don’t need more food.Exercise in a fun way that doesn’t stress your body but helps build muscle to increase your basal metabolic rate.
Try high-intensity interval training to boost your metabolism and ditch the long jogs. Check out Anjanette Price for Personal Training.
Trying to Lose Weight?
Learn to eat for nutrition and enjoyment. You can lose weight and feel great with the right supportive tools for long-lasting results, becoming a healthier and more balanced you.
Check out our Curb Your Cravings Program® for sustainable weight loss.
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Try soaking and roasting/dehydrating to enhance your health. In addition to making your nuts/seeds easier to digest, you will be amazed at how much more sweet, flavorful, and soft they are. This is particularly true for typically bitter choices like walnuts; soaked and dehydrated, they are divine!
