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The Simple Reason Calorie Counting Diets Just Don't Work

By Simon Caddy

I'll put an early disclaimer here, calorie counting might work for some people. These people are ones who have all the time in the world to shop for their own groceries and prepare their food at their leisure without even a second thought to a schedule or something called daily life! Now, if you're like me and most other people, your time is precious and there isn't enough of it in your day. That being said, it's clear that calorie counting is not for those who have busy schedules and full days. It can be and usually is tedious and time consuming, not to mention boring.

Dieting doesn't have to be exciting but does anyone really want it to be boring? Then again, that's not the reason why calorie counting sucks for weight loss. That's just the result of trying to count calories for those who lead real lives.

Something to keep in mind: the quality of calories has a huge influence on your total calorie intake. If you're reaching for those low-calorie snacks or low-calorie prepared meals or whatever, basically anything low-calorie, then you're feeding yourself horribly bad quality calories. You're pretty much eating empty calories, basically garbage combined with chemicals and excess sugar to make you feel full.

Put simply, calories are the energy source for your body to use in daily bodily functions such as breathing, walking, eating, etc. So just like you're drooling over the latest, greatest gadget or fashion offering, you should also be obsessed with providing your body with the best source of energy possible. Usually, if you get the best source of calories possible, the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients follow easily. And just to repeat, low-calorie foods are a horrible energy source. There are nearly no nutrients in them and the calories they do provide barely tide you over.

Another reason why calorie counting doesn't work: restaurants, coffee shops, friend's houses etc. don't offer nutritional information and calories per serving! There are so many hidden calories as you go through your day that it's extremely easy to go over your allotted daily calorie limit. You would have to prepare each and every one of your meals on your own, which, as I mentioned earlier, isn't likely to happen.

Need examples of hidden calories in foods? Sure! Here we go. For breakfast, did you have tea or coffee with it? Did you make your own breakfast sandwich or bagel? Or did you grab it on the go at the nearest deli? Did you make that slice of pizza you had for lunch? Enough examples for you? Just wanted to show you how easy it is to unknowingly go over your daily calorie intake limit. Now if you dine out for dinner often, tell me, how many restaurants do you see provide diners with calorie counts for each of their menu offerings? Not many, right?

The bottom line is this: if you're serious about losing weight, and I'm talking about body fat (not water weight or anything else), then you need to forget about calorie counting. It doesn't work and it won't work for you. The best thing for you and anyone else who's serious about losing weight is to focus on the basics: healthy, wholesome fresh foods and high quality meats and regular exercise.

When I say fresh foods, I don't mean that you have to prepare them. Just make sure that you avoid fast food for lunch and focus on eating healthy foods that include greens and meats. Healthy foods energize your body like you wouldn't believe. If you don't do the exercising, healthy eating will at least get you started on the right track until you feel comfortable enough to start exercising. Regular exercise just makes your weight loss skyrocket. Once you eat healthy and exercise, losing weight will come easily!

About the Author:

Simon Caddy has been a qualified Boxercise, Kick-Boxercise and Cardio-Kickbox instructor since 2005, and delivers several classes each week across a 20 mile radius from his home in Caerphilly, as well as using it in one-to-one sessions with his clients. For more information about these classes or one-to-one sessions, please visit SimonCaddy.com