Most people think that they need to eat a lot of calories to lose weight. But is this really true?
When you eat fewer calories than you need, you will automatically lose weight. It’s as simple as that. There are different kinds of calories out there, and you need to find the ones that suit your body type the best. If you are looking for a way to LOSE WEIGHT without going on the strict diet regimen, then this article is for you.
The Basics Of Calorie Counting
Before you start eating 1,200 calories a day, it is important to learn about calories and how they work. You need to focus on the calories you consume and not the ones you burn. This is because even if you eat healthy foods and burn calories, you will still end up losing weight since you are cutting off calories which is the key to weight loss.
Calorie counting is pretty easy. You just need to remember a few basic guidelines. First, eat fewer calories than you need to maintain your weight. A good rule of thumb is to subtract 500 calories from what you normally eat. This will help you lose weight without worrying about counting calories and depriving yourself of food. Second, watch your portions. One large portion can easily weigh you over your daily caloric limit and cause you to gain weight instead of lose it.
How To Count The Calories In Your Food
If you want to lose weight, then it is crucial that you learn how to accurately count the calories in your food. You can use an online calorie counter to easily keep track of your daily caloric intake. Just look up the foods that you eat and their calories and it will tell you how many calories you consume. You can do this both before and after you eat to ensure that you are accurately accounting for what you put into your body. Most people who lose weight do this and it is one of the primary reasons why they are able to lose the weight and keep it off.
Eating Healthily With A Side Of Varying Foods
Another important thing to do if you want to lose weight is to eat healthily. You should be eating plenty of vegetables and fruit to maintain good health. Make sure to eat nuts too as they are high in fiber and good for your heart. You should also be avoiding foods with added sugar; however, you should be counting calories so you do not overdo it. You should aim to eat a diet rich in vegetables and avoid foods with lots of added sugar. You should also be avoiding foods with lots of preservatives and added fats since these are bad for your waistline.
Benefits Of Eating More Vegetables
One of the main reasons why you should be eating more vegetables is that they are good for your health. Vegetables have lots of vitamins and antioxidants that help protect your cells. They also help lower cholesterol which is great for heart health. Make sure to eat your vegetables cooked or raw since they have different benefits when eaten in this way. For example, eating fruits raw is great for maintaining a healthy metabolism but eating cooked vegetables can help lower cholesterol. Choose whatever makes you feel better and healthier and you will be doing your body some favor.
Should You Always Eat After You Exercise?
After you exercise, your body needs calories to restore itself. However, this does not mean that you should automatically eat after your workout. The amount of calories you need to consume after you exercise will depend on your body weight and how much you worked out. If you are a light exerciser, then you will need fewer calories. If you are a very intense exerciser, then you will need more calories. Your body will tell you how much it needs and the best thing is that you do not have to deprive yourself of food to make it happen. Just listen to your body and it will guide you in the right direction.
The Science Bit
This brings us to the science bit. When you eat fewer calories than you need, your body goes through a process of calorie restriction. When your body is calorie restricted, your metabolism slows down which makes you burn fewer calories even when you are not physically active. In research studies, mice and rats that were fed a calorie deficient diet for a long time showed a 75% reduction in their metabolic rate – that’s a lot! This is one of the reasons why you should be able to lose weight even if you do not exercise at all. Your body will tell you how much it needs and you should give it what it needs without worrying about the calories. It’s as simple as that.
If you want to lose weight and would like some help, then try out the 1,200 calories a day diet. It’s been shown in studies that this particular diet helps people achieve better results than diets that restrict calories even more. When you eat fewer calories than you need, you will automatically lose weight. So what are you waiting for? Start counting calories and you will be on your way to slimming down.