Truth be known, I’ve been a fan of all things Seth Godin for several years now. In the business world, he has been a popular and well-known author, blogger and marketing guru; an early adopter in the digital world. Once I discovered him, I committed to playing catch up on the wealth of info he has ‘shipped’, absorbed by his prolific writings. In Godin language: I have become a true enthusiast.
I admit that at times I find myself a bit intimidated by his constant reminders about being ‘remarkable’. Godin says in Small is the New Big, “Working hard doesn’t make you remarkable. Doing a good job doesn’t make you remarkable. What makes you remarkable is being amazing, outstanding, surprising, elegant and noteworthy!”
Gulp! Okay. Am I putting myself out on a limb; setting myself up for serious scrutiny? No matter what, in the last five years, I’ve taken the leap. I’ve always thought that being ordinary, normal and average were not things to aspire to anyways.
Fear of Change
Somehow reading Godin confirms for me that I was right to think that way all along. He also continues to remind me that fear of change, not by me alone, but by the population in general, has led to a persistent belief in what he calls “lies that people tell to maintain the status quo.”
Of the ten he lists in his rant “Mail…the check is in the”, I could truly relate to the one that affects all of us who travel frequently. “A bottle of Evian is dangerous to airline security and must be surrendered.” We have accepted this as truth, or at the very least an imposed truth. He goes on to say, “…people will embrace patently false ideas if it helps them deal with their fear of change.” We might be seeing this even more in our world today, as ‘fake’ news stories spread like wildfire. What are we discerning people to do?
Counting Calories is a Modern-Day Myth
Modern-day myths permeate all areas of our lives. Once they take hold, they seem virtually impossible to dislodge. Which brings me back to the title of this article. In the areas of health and weight loss, this kind of popular ‘lie’ has become ingrained into the mass consciousness. It’s become the perceived ‘truth’ when it comes to the role calories play in healthy weight loss or weight gain.
Although there is much research over many decades to the contrary, I would bet that most people when asked, would confirm that if you eat fewer calories than you expend, you will lose weight. Simple, right? Even though there has been increasing evidence that not only is the kind of calories important but that calories if they count at all, are merely a small and maybe insignificant piece of the overall complex weight puzzle.
There has been increasing evidence that not only is the kind of calories important, but that calories if they count at all, are merely a small and maybe insignificant piece of the overall complex weight puzzle. #weight #calories #healthClick To TweetCut Calories and Lose Weight—Not Necessarily
Yet, the idea persists that if you cut your calories and do more exercise, you will lose weight. The old calories in—calories out theory. This brings me to Tim Ferriss and how reading his book The Four Hour Body confirmed that the weight gain, weight loss issue has little, if anything, to do with calories. I must admit I’ve also become an enthusiastic fan of Ferriss’ and luckily for me, he only has a few mammoth (600+ page) books. I’m pretty much on track with all he has written.
In very succinct Ferriss style, in explaining the subject of calories, he says, “as usual, the focus is on the least important piece of the puzzle. But why do scientists harp on the calorie? Simple. It’s cheap to estimate and it is a popular variable for publication journals.” He then goes on to call this ‘parking lot science’ and I suggest you read why, in what is a very cutting-edge, science-based read. A favorite quote of his speaks volumes to me. “Reality is negotiable.” Always.
Why do scientists harp on the calorie? Simple. It’s cheap to estimate and it is a popular variable for publication journals. #calories #weight #healthClick To TweetCalories Don’t Count
For a very long time, I’ve understood that calories don’t really count. In my own ongoing search for ways to continue to improve my health, (which at times has been so bad it was feared I might die of malnutrition, and at times I was so heavy no matter what I did the weight didn’t come off, which I write about in my book Confessions of a Middle-Aged Hippie), I’ve read a library worth of books and tried even more wide-ranging programs. I’ve faithfully counted calories and could never explain the lack of significant results.
Yet, the widely held calorie myth is hard to dislodge. The original caloric theory is now considered antiquated and has long since been debunked. The truth I’ve found lies in healthy and conscious lifestyle choices, including nutrition-dense foods, balanced blood sugar plus nutraceutical-grade supplementation and exercise. Ferriss shares interesting research on how much exercise is really needed to optimize achieving a healthy body. Hint: it’s in the title of his book.
Calories Are Everywhere!
Caloric counts still occur on food packages and we’re constantly reminded of calories and their relationship to weight, seemingly everywhere we go. Personally, I’ve always been willing to go against the popular belief of the moment and blaze my own trail. Especially when it comes to health and wellness. Must be the Aquarian contrarian in me. The recommended daily dose of vitamins and minerals has never resonated with me either and are based on a conservative and antiquated guide, the RDI.
Personally, I take 2,000-3,000 mg of vitamin C daily, thanks to what was once controversial research by Linus Pauling. This is much higher than the current suggested RDI which is between 75-90 mg. It doesn’t seem to have hurt me in any way. “Be daring. Explore what works for you.” is my mantra.
Be Curious and Challenge Yourself
Any day is a good one to offer yourself a challenge. To question some of the widely and long held ‘truths’ that just may not work anymore. In fact, they may not have ever been true at all. Each moment presents an opportunity to be open to making changes. Even small changes can make a big difference in our own lives and can have an impact on those around us.
Personally, I’m always ready to give up the lies I may have bought into over the years. I remain committed to being remarkable and an enthusiastic enthusiast as Godin suggests. And to becoming superhuman and having incredible sex, if I learn from Ferriss.
If I can do this, well I just might be poised to create the best year of my life to date! My thanks to Seth Godin and Timothy Ferriss for challenging the status quo and inviting me to be better and to do better. What ‘truth’ are you willing to let go of to challenge yourself?
How Healthy Are You?
As health has been so much of my journey since I was young, I’m delighted to use my experiences and my knowledge to help supports others with their health. Do you have health goals you’re committed to reaching? You’re invited to a complimentary health consultation where we’ll work together to design your personalized health plan! You can start with the USANA True Health Assessment or just email me to set up a time to talk! To your health…
If I understood correctly, its not about reducing the number of calories you consume but to raise the quality of the food you eat, with all the necessary nutrients, right?
John Gatesby recently posted…GASTROPARESIS PART 2
Hi John. A lot of what I have researched shows it is less about calories and more about quality and quantities of food you eat. Nutrition is always the key.
As someone who is struggling with the menopause metabolism meltdown, I’m so tired of hearing diet and exercise are the solution. Of course diet and exercise are important, but I’m exploring the impacts of hormonal changes as well.
Menopause is definitely a big issue for most women Kimba, and it is not about counting calories or necessarily how much exercise you do, as you mention. The key is to find the ways that work for you to balance your hormones, so the symptoms that come along with the hormonal imbalance, don’t create the symptoms anymore. If I can support you in any ways, please let me know!
Ah yes, Beverley! There are so many untruths and half-truths that abound and people are willing to believe them because others have for years. I’m a Seth Godin fan myself and he has a way of getting right to the truth, doesn’t he?
I think they should re-write all of this losing weight stuff for those of us who are 40 and beyond. Even then they would not necessarily get it right as you pointed out in another post that weight is also affected by each person’s body type, what’s going on inside, etc.
Truth is, I need to establish an exercise regimen even if it’s just walking. It doesn’t help that a month ago I decided to start doing the Leslie Sansone “Walk at Home” and at the end of one mile was so dizzy I had to sit quickly as the world got dark. Turns out my blood pressure was very high; something that I did not have an issue with before.Now I’m on BP meds.
Thanks for the valuable information in your posts. Keep them coming. 🙂
Yvonne A Jones recently posted…Are You Ready for Your Next Move in the Game of Life?
The key truly is to find what works for us individually, Yvonne, as when it comes to health and weight, there no longer is one-size-fits-all formula. If there ever was one! The amount of untruths that people still believe, even after they have been debunked, is quite astounding and is possibly doing harm to people’s health because of it.
Sorry to hear about your high blood pressure and having to be on meds. I do hope that is just a short term thing and you find balance within soon. As we get older, our hormonal balance does become a big key to weight and health too and it’s important to address those issues too. You sound like you are aware of what you need to do for yourself and it is just a matter of committing to doing it! All the best, and if I can support you in any way, please reach out.
For someone who can put on weight just thinking of chocolate cake, I guess calories aren’t important – the mind is. 🙂
On a more serious note, as I grow older, I’ve noticed a change in metabolism and food tolerance which also affects weight gain. I respect my body and change my habits as well as include more physical activity to maintain optimal health, Beverley.
Thanks for the insightful post – it’s certainly evergreen!
Vatsala Shukla recently posted…How Strong is Your Self Esteem Bucket?
At each stage of life our body does change and require more conscious attention from us, doesn’t it, Vatsala? It sounds like you are on track and highly aware of what works for you and hopefully all the choices you are making benefit your short and long-term physical health. Like you, I know I also need more physical activity, but find the winter months are most challenging. Glad you found this post insightful and yes, all things to do with health and weight, seem to be evergreen indeed.
That’s a really good one to share with us. Especially this time of year. Solstice blessings to you.
Sue Kearney (@MagnoliasWest) recently posted…I just ran my first Facebook challenge
Thanks Sue! Yes, this is the time of year so many people are tempted by the holiday ‘treats’ and making wise choices for ourselves becomes even more important. Knowing that calories aren’t really the most important piece of the puzzle, hopefully helps too. Happy Solstice to you as well! Enjoy your holiday season. To your health…
Absolutely agree, food consumption and dealing with our learned thoughts of the calorie is wary. It definitely comes down to what our body recognizes as a food and avoiding altered GMO, processed or media hyped garbage. Yes, we absolutely thrive on nutrient dense foods and vitamins to keep us balanced! Being curious and challenging ourselves is exactly what Seth Golden’s thoughts are for us building our own human capital. So encouraging, reminding us to intuitively find what is better for us.
Gill recently posted…Turn Your Problems Around
Love your openness to explore how our choices ultimately impact our health, Gilly! I agree with all your points and there is more and more evidence that the big food conglomerates are manipulating our health and wellbeing. It is up to each of us to take responsibility for ourselves and to find what our truth is and what works for us. Yes, to being curious and challenging ourselves and people like Seth Godin invite us to do that too! Here’s to nutrient dense foods and vitamins to fortify ourselves and create good health!
I like that you are exploring what works for you. Honestly, there are many so called gurus in health. If you would follow them all, you might likely be sick and die of malnutrition or any other sort of health problem.I have tried two types of diet one time and ended up in the hospital. It is same thing with finding your spiritual path. You would always be on the right path whoever you follow…one teacher at a time.
I appreciate you sharing your personal experiences with diet and health, Lorii! I do agree with you, that what might work for one person, might actually make the next person ill. It is the same thing with being on a spiritual path too. We are all individuals and living in a time of individuation, so it is our responsibility to find what works for us personally.
I appreciate you sharing your personal experiences with diet and health, Lorii! I do agree with you, that what might work for one person, might actually make the next person ill. It is the same thing with being on a spiritual path too. We are all individuals and living in a time of individuation, so it is our responsibility to find what works for us personally.
An interesting article, Beverley. And I agree in the end it is not a question about counting calories, which frankly to me seems over the top, unless you of course have severe weight problems perhaps, but otherwise I believe in a harmonic way and not stress too much. Not to become overly health fanatic, but to enjoy life and food too. And to exercise in a way to suits you, be it taking a long walk every day, going to the gym or other. And if you do not have fun and enjoy life, what use is it to obsess about food to eat or not eat…if you then only stress out about it. 🙂
You have a very balanced way of looking at health, Katarina! I agree with you on all your points too. People become very obsessed with one way of doing things and often overlook the very things that will actually benefit them. Life is meant to enjoy and with balance in food and exercise I also believe that is very well with in most people’s reach! Thanks for your thoughts. 🙂
Ugh…so much conflicting information circulates, doesn’t it? I remember hearing that calories are just one small part of the story and that it is what one’s body does with a calorie that counts, which supposedly determined by the food quality.
Rachel Lavern recently posted…10 Strategies to Get New Clients
There really is a lot of conflicting into when it comes to health today, Rachel! Yes, calories are really not a key piece of the weight puzzle and yet somehow the belief they are, still has hold of mass consciousness. The quality of our food, not the calories per se, are really what matters.
Oh my goodness, Beverley, this is my favorite article of yours so far! I love Seth and Tim and you summarized them beautifully. Calories don’t count:) I’ve released 85 pounds so far and I’ve been doing yoga daily. I’m about to add more cardio, along with eating better.
You also reminded me why I took 3K mg of Vita C. I stopped during cancer treatments. I think it’s time I get back to it!
Thank you so much Tandy! I am thrilled to hear you enjoyed this piece. Yes, both Seth and Time are definitely worth knowing about and happy I did them justice in this post. I am also happy to hear you have discovered for yourself that calories don’t necessarily count. Congratulations on releasing so much weight and staying active with yoga. It’s amazing how you’ve adopted a healthy lifestyle and are reaping the benefits. Yes, also to increasing your Vitamin C again. In my own experience it can only benefit your overall health!
All the qualities you mentioned of a healthy lifestyle are important. But, weight gain and problems losing weight are also tied to subconscious psychological and emotional reasons as well. For some, weight is protection from forming relationships and intimacy. They can be learned childhood patterns to emulate or earn a parent’s love and they can be a way to soothe when confronting, fear, loss or trauma flashbacks. When programs have not reached the desired healthy state, then you have to look deeper as to the what value does the weight gain serve. It sounds counterintuitive, but the brain will support such behavior even when it’s not in the best interest of the body.
Agree with you completely, Joyce! Weight is very often tied to emotional issues and I think people who carry a lot of weight often know it, and yet still can’t break through. I had a friend who finally ‘released’ 100 pounds of weight and found a very doable plan for himself. I think Jon Gabriel is another good example. Coming for a maternal family who all have struggled with weight, I ‘decided’ I would never be heavy and found my own way…an unhealthy way…to stay thin. It’s much more complicated topic for sure than just ‘calories in, calories out’ and yet the world is still generally convinced that the calorie theory is their answer. Thanks for adding your expertise to the conversation too.
I do not count calories. I totally believe the importance is eating quality foods. When you get the nutrients your body needs, the rest takes care of itself. I like Seth as well.
Karen Grosz recently posted…Eat a Healthy Breakfast & Start Your Day Off Right
Thanks for your thoughts Karen! Yes, food is always the place to begin when it comes to health. Proper nutrition, exercise and our emotional health all contribute to our well being. We need to nourish from the inside out and too often people are looking for quick fixes from the outside world and not finding their answer. Seth is great and always has such interesting ideas to share.
Great article, Beverley! So true that calories are not what you need to be concerned with, yet so many are still counting them and in the process trying to fill up on unhealthy low calorie treats, thinking they are doing good by doing so. The only way to truly stay fit and healthy is to put the right foods in your body and keeping active.
You’ve got it so right, Mindy. Health really is a result of all of our lifestyle choices and that means eating well, exercising and caring for our emotional health as well!
It is so important that this information gets out there Beverley. So often women compare themselves to others and health, diet and metabolism is so personal.
Candess Campbell recently posted…The Author’s Creative Journey!
Health and well being is highly personal and individual Candess! The challenge is the medical system tries to quantify people into a statistical group. We really are in the era of personalized, individualized health. Each os us must take responsibility for ourselves.
It’s great that you’ve found your truth for what works for you with nutrition. Nutrition is certainly not a one size fits all routine these days. There’s so much research out there, and so much of it contradicts each other. For myself, I am a type 1 diabetic, I have microvessel disease, and I have gastroparesis. All 3 of these require a special diet, and it’s amazing how counterintuitive what works can be. I would have never in a million years have thought broccoli in any form and some other raw vegetables were bad for me. For the first two diets, they are great, but when you factor in the gastroparesis, they are a big no no. Trial and error is key along with journaling one’s responses. It’s good to turn traditional thought on its head.
Jennifer Quisenberry recently posted…Dreaming of Clear, Flawless Skin
I couldn’t agree more with you that nutrition and health is NOT a one size fits all, Jennifer. It sounds like you have several health issues that you are juggling at the same time, and as I’ve learned, all we can do is keep trying things to see if they work…for us. Yes, cruciferous vegetables are actually quite irritating for any of us who have digestive issues and I know that often surprises most people who think they are healthy. They are…just not for us. I also think it is great to turn conventional or traditional thinking on its head. I do it all the time too!
One of the things I enjoy doing when I’m coaching is challenging the assumptions (or lies) that people believe about themselves. When I ask them, “Is this really true or a story you’re telling yourself?” it often sets my clients back on their heels.
Love that you are challenging your clients with this truth or lies conundrum, Jackie! It’s amazing when people look at their ‘beliefs’ objectively what an awakening it can be for them. And then hopefully they can decipher truth from the story they are believing and move forward and change.
The more I learn the less I seem to know. Calories don’t count? No wonder I’m struggling to lose weight. There was me thinking that weight loss was a simple mathematical calculation. Spend more than you put in.
Great post as always. I love your style!
Glad this shed some light on the ‘calorie myth’ Clive! It sounds like the mathematics should work, but so often they don’t. I appreciate your support of my writing style! Nice to see you here again too.
The things we will believe to keep the status quo are far reaching. I loved the paragraph on Seth Godin and fear of change. Just makes so much sense. And the calories myth is one I finally let go. And I am healthier because of this release
Alene Geed recently posted…‘Dare to Dream’ Jewelry Collection
Agree with you Alene! The things we often believe for fear of changing really is quite incredible to look at. I think Seth Godin got it right in his thinking too. So happy to hear you let go of the calorie myth and feel healthier for it. Congrats!
Love learning ideas about weight loss, and these folks were new to me. I need to take a deeper dive and learn more. I appreciate you sharing this.
Robin recently posted…What is Steampunk?
Thanks so much Robin! Glad you find this topic of health and weight interesting and that I was able to introduce you to two new people to learn more about.
I love the mantra you shared: “Reality is negotiable.” Always. Although I wouldn’t say I’m a middle age hippie, I am definitely middle age and this is a pertinent post to anyone that is challenged by a changing metabolism like I am. You’ve given me an explanation why calories are a quick and often ineffective metric to measure and I too have found that eating smaller meals, more often is helpful in balancing blood sugar and can see why that is more important than counting calories!
Thanks so much Crystal! “Reality is negotiable” seems to be very prominent in our world today. I think regardless of our age, if we believe something like ‘calories’ are the be-all-and-end-all in determining weight, we might be disappointed in the results. Happy this post helped to explain some of the facts behind it, and it sounds like you have found a good way for yourself when it comes to portions, balancing blood sugar and that ultimately those are more important than prudent calorie counting.
Your article reminds of my old tag line: perception is reality. It’s interesting to watch people struggle with new concepts–even when these ideas are backed by facts. The fear of change mixed with the desire to maintain status quo is a curious thing! My husband has lost over 10 lbs using Ferriss’s concepts in The Four Hour Body! Yet I have a friend who continues to refute Ferriss’s novel ideas about weight loss as she counts calories & gains weight. 😉 Great article!
Meghan Monaghan recently posted…Twitter Engagement 101: How to Have Conversations that Help Your Business
Love that tagline, Meghan. Reality really is based on our perception. As a fixed sign, sometimes I do ‘resist’ new ideas, but am always willing to try something to see if it works for me. Yes, the fear of change plus maybe a bit of laziness to change and the desire to fit in, do stop people from moving forward. I love hearing that your husband was so successful using Ferriss’s concepts in his book! I know it isn’t for the faint of heart and does takes consistency and commitment. Yes, there are a lot of people who keep doing things the old way, don’t get any results and wonder why! Glad you enjoyed the article too! 🙂
Beverley,
Such a great article and truly shows how losing weight can definitely be hard to sustain. Many people work hard at this and hope that we can give other’s the education about eating and how society views our women and men. I agree with eating a well balanced meal with vegetables and taking care of myself. Some people have medical issues that make this difficult so I do not judge anyone either way.
Thanks for your thoughts on this topic, Lori. We really are living in an age of the individual, so each of us has to find what works for us when it comes to our health and well being. There is no escaping it and we all must take responsibility and find what is best for us. Agree that many people do work hard and still don’t get results, however, life is a journey of trial and error, so it’s important to not give up and to keep looking for our way.
We do tend to listen to the latest hype and let it become our truth, don’t we? What we should be doing is listening to our bodies. When I eat food that is healthy and fresh I am satisfied and energised. When I make unhealthy choices my body lets me know I got it wrong. It’s the same with exercise. When I neglect this my body gives me (sometimes not so gentle) reminders to get moving.
Tamuria recently posted…EASY CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS YOU CAN MAKE YOURSELF
We seem to be in the era of false news now Tami, so sometimes it is hard to discern what is the truth. I agree with you 100% on listening to our body and choosing based on our individual needs. We truly are in the age of the individual now. It’s great that your body ‘speaks’ to you and lets you know when you are not being kind to it. Agree with you about exercise too. When I don’t walk for a few days…I really feel the difference. I’d say it is a good sign that you have the sensitivity to listen to your body and that it is giving you such ‘loud’ messages too.
Isn’t it amazing how far we’ve come in nutrition and health! I can remember (not so long ago), when fat was the culprit, and refined carbs weren’t even talked about.
But I seriously love Godin’s: “…people will embrace patently false ideas if it helps them deal with their fear of change.”
Boy, are we ever seeing that today . . .
Susan Mary Malone recently posted…You Canât Trust That Liberal Media, Right?
Having read your article this week, I see why that Seth Godin quote really resonates with you, Susan. Me too! We are seeing how false ideas are unfortunately believed all to readily these days. Fear. Maybe. And I agree, we have come a long way in the health and nutrition arena, and having written about the ‘fat’ myth, it’s amazing how that belief took hold, and how untrue it was and is.
I too am a Seth Godin fan. I also count calories, well sorta. I was using a fit bit to help me too. However, you are preaching to the choir here, I totally get and relate to your comments about the type of calories that matter most. I am already on the path of good nutrition by eating real food and organic when possible. I think I count calories because I like to just know my numbers and what I am expending in workouts. It’s fun for me. Thanks for a great read.
Teresa Salhi recently posted…Six Ways to Align With Courage in Difficult Times
Thanks for your thoughts, Teresa. It sounds like you know what works for you and are following a healthy path. It’s okay to count calories, especially when it comes to exercise, just to know that they are not the gospel when it comes to weight. Yes, Seth Godin is a big favourite of mine as well. Glad you enjoyed the post too!
Health is so important. I’m almost 37 and only started looking after myself a few years ago.
As for calories, I don’t count them. I know what’s healthy and what’s not.
Sounds like you are highly conscious of what works for you and what doesn’t when it comes to your health, Sonya. That’s a wonderful thing to know and to live by. Happy to hear you learned that calories aren’t what counts when it comes to health and weight.
I subscribe to Seth Godin’s blog and need to read his books. I know that weight loss is not as simple as some people would say it is and I love to look at things from a fresh point of view. This is an interesting post, bringing Tim Ferriss and Seth Godin together. I need to check out your book, Beverley!
Molly Stevens recently posted…We Shared Zoe’s Story and This is What Happened Next
Thanks Molly. I appreciate hearing that you found the pairing of Seth Godin and Tim Ferriss interesting, as that was my intention when writing this post. I’d love for you to check out my book too and appreciate you considering it!
Beverley, Another great post. I too have struggled with weight loss and lifestyle changes. What I did notice was when I was eating very healthy – nothing processed, everything in moderation, staying hydrated – I had more energy which led to more activity and ultimately my body put itself on a schedule and I no longer needed alarm clocks. I went to bed at a reasonable time and woke up when I chose. It was quite awesome … then … I got sucked back into my bad food choices.
Change is truly a cycle of it’s own and does require focus on the bigger details. Calories don’t count, what you eat is what counts.
I love Seth Godin too!! He always has gems of awesomeness to share. Thanks again for reminding me to stay the course in my lifestyle change – and to be gentle with myself.
Thanks so much for sharing so openly and honestly here Tamara. What I am learning being part of a health and wellness team and helping others with easy to follow programs, is the importance of balancing your blood sugar as a place to start, as that is what stops the cravings and prevents being sucked back into the tempting and bad food choices.
Change definitely has its own up and down cycle, however, based on the results I am seeing people experience, I know there is definitely a much easier way once your system is in balance. And yes, Seth has so much wisdom and insight to offer, and even though the calorie topic wasn’t directly related to what I was reading…somehow it was for me. Glad you enjoyed this post! Love to have a conversation to see if there are some areas I might offer help with!
Thanks Beverley, and I agree with Seth Godin that standing out is important. Many of us work well, are professional, provide quality, etc., that’s nothing new but very few have the courage to show what’s amazing about them. Regarding calories, I am of the belief that if you eat well and in a normal way, have a reasonable activity every day, you will be fine. 🙂
Glad you so relate to Seth Godin and his great reminder to us all to stand out and be amazing, Katarina. I agree, that very few people take the extra step to get to that level, either personally or professionally. As far as calories, I agree with you that when you eat well in a conscious way and stay active, that goes a long way towards taking the stress away from obsessive calorie counting. And counting calories doesn’t necessarily garner the results they are purported to anyways!
It’s so easy to focus on the bits and pieces and overlook the big picture. It’s not just the calories, but the whole package, as you point out. Good job!
You’ve got it right, Jackie. It is easy to focus on the small pieces and neglect looking at the larger picture! Calories in and of themselves, are just one (maybe insignificant) piece of the whole. Glad you enjoyed this read! Appreciate it.
Funny how people feel you can eat what you want as long as you exercise. Or the other way around. If they eat less fat they don’t have to exercise. Everything was always about calories also that no one thinks of FAT calories or the sugar etc
Michael Kawula recently posted…Top 12 Personality Traits Needed To Start a Business
You raised so valid points Michael. People often look at one thing or the other and don’t look at the big picture and how all these things are interconnected. Appreciate you pointing out that exercise doesn’t negate faulty eating, especially when it comes to fats and sugars. Appreciate your comments here!
Great info! So true that so many people focus on calories and not other factors such as fat and sugar. Portion control and balance is the best formula in my opinion.
You have a very clear perspective on this topic, Dina. Yes, calories are not the most important piece of the puzzle when it comes to weight and health. As you say, healthy and nutrious foods and avoiding unhealthy fats and sugar are far more important. Balance in all areas of life is also very key for me!
I believe that our intake of processed food dispensed by the multitude of food establishments is causing us all innumerable health problems. When fast food mania began, there were no studies of the long term impact of prepared foods. Now it seems that as we move away from natural foods our collective health is deteriorating. Even the “natural” foods are in question since the earth they are grown in is saturated with many chemicals placed there by farmers and our eco system as a whole. I like the programs that Dr Joel Fuhrman, M.D. has written about make sense and are a good option to regain or keep one’s health and vitality.
Eyauuk recently posted…Give Your Time: It Becomes Precious
Thanks for your insights here, Eyauuk (Grant). I think the fast food generation “seemed” like a great thing, however, in hindsight, it has created many widespread health issues in people. There were no long term studies on many things and like you say, even now, foods that are reported to be “natural” are actually anything but. I just read the lobbyists were able to get the term “artificial flavouring” changed to “natural flavouring”, and in fact these might contain MSG. The more conscious we are of both our food and our environment, the more we can make choices that are hopefully beneficial to us. And yes, the land and soil is often so depleted that we can barely get any nutrition from the foods grown in them. This is why the health and wellness team I am part of is committed to educating about the need for high quality supplementation that actually keeps cells alive based on the work of Dr. Myron Wentz. I haven’t heard of Dr. Joel Fuhrman and will check out his work! It is possible to reclaim and keep our ehlath and vitality.
I like you said “Each moment presents an opportunity to be open to making changes”! I totally agree with you. We believe things mostly heard from someone else such as parents, friends, or news. But we can change it how we want to change if you have a right mindset. Thank you so much for sharing the great blog and I will keep the words from Tim Ferriss “Reality is negotiable” Thanks
Kaz recently posted…5 Breakfast Choices You Think Are Healthy (But Actually Aren’t)
Love how you are so clear on all the positive ways we can live healthy lives, Kaz. Like you, I do believe we have an opportunity to reassess and make changes in every moment. Nothing is ever that fixed that we can’t start anew. Mindset is very key as you also share. Happy to hear you enjoyed Tim Ferriss’s quote “Reality is Negotiable”, because when it comes down to it…it truly is! Appreciate your positive feedback always, Kaz. Thanks!
This was really thought provoking Beverley. I’m currently working on losing weight for my impending wedding next month and have been working hard. I know that there isn’t any one size fits all solution to weight loss because we all have different body types and different metabolic makeups so it would be impossible to have a blanket solution which everyone subscribes to successfully.
Coach Niquenya recently posted…Successful? 3 Dream Killing Reasons You’re Not
Glad you found this piece thought provoking, Niquenya. There is definitely no one-size-fits-all when it comes to reaching our ideal health and weight. There are many pieces that contribute to the puzzle, and calories are not the key piece for so many. So many factors go into optimizing and staying at our ideal weight, and with your awareness, I know you will find the things that work best for you to succeed. All the best!
Thanks for featuring the professional life of Seth Godin as a well-known author, blogger and marketing guru. I am happy to know from you how his prolific writings have influenced your career as an expert writer. Learning about the valuable information on new caloric theory, also emphasizes Ferriss’ interesting research on the impact of exercise as a need to optimize achieving a healthy body.
Lorii Abela recently posted…Where Are The Single Men Hiding
Thanks for your recap of my post, Lorii. Both of these experts have lots of valuable information to share with us about myths that might stop us from reaching our optimum weight and living a healthy and vibrant life.
Wow! A lot of really valuable info, might give Tim Ferris a read too!!
Thanks Varina. Glad you found some valuable information in this post. Tim Ferriss is definitely worth the read!
Been thinking about people’s fear of change and wondering how it can relate to weight loss. Could it be that we get so comfortable with a particular body size, even if we wish we were thinner, that the effort to change seems unachievable. I’m probably thinking of my own yoyo dieting & the trap of resignation, yet I know so many people who succeed at life changes in diet. Hmm- you have accomplished one of your goals which is to stimulate thinking.
I know that weight loss is a complicated topic Roslyn. For many people there are very strong (often unconscious emotional issues) that don’t allow people to lose weight. And yes, I think people say they want something and yet aren’t able to actually “do” what it takes to get what they want. In this case to lose weight. So much of it has to do with stabling our blood sugar, as even people who are eating sugar, are having blood sugar swings from stress or coffee. These swings create the fat storage that then becomes challenging to get rid of. Glad I got you thinking again. I look forward to having a conversation with you…as I absolutely know that there are proven ways to achieve your ideal weight, be healthy and stay there. Thanks for sharing your questions here. Live in the question. 🙂
Definitely a different perspective on calories. It explains a lot of what has frustrated me for years. I will have to read up on this more. Thanks for sharing.
Glad to hear this one stirred up some new ways of looking at the calorie issue, Janell. I would say that many people have used calories as the basis for their weight loss programs and from what I hear, like you, it isn’t the most critical piece of the puzzle. Hope you discover something that works and has less frustration attached to it. Appreciate you sharing.
Hi Beverley,
Awesome read! You know, counting calories is really not my thing lol I just pretty much eat what I want and try to eat as healthy as I can…….last year I joined a club and have found that I have not felt better in my life! As I get older, I realize it is not about counting those calories but maintaining a healthy lifestyle 🙂
Thanks for sharing my friend! As always learned something new from your post!
Have a great weekend!!
Big Hugs,
Joan
Joan Harrington recently posted…5 Crucial Steps To Finding Your Ideal Client
Sounds like you have found the perfect balance of healthy eating and exercise to feel good. It’s interesting how sometimes as we age, we become more in tune with what works for us and how to optimize our own health and wellbeing. The calories in/calories out theory has been antiquated for a long time and yet so many “experts” still use it as a basis for their programs. I’ve also found that conscious choices and awareness go a long way towards health weight and feeling vital. Appreciate you sharing your formula with us and I very much appreciate hearing that you learn something new when you read my posts. Enjoy your weekend as well! 🙂
Interesting read. I hate counting calories and agree with you on this to some degree. I also think that knowing the caloric values of some feeds helps me when making food choices.
Although knowing the calorie count is helpful, if the food choice isn’t healthy, the results will still be detrimental. I used to clock every calorie I ate and know that is not the way to be healthy and to lose or gain weight. And I hear you, counting calories can take a lot of joy out of food and often that creates an additional emotional burden that is hard to overcome. Conscious and smart food choices is definitely the place to start, Christi. Thanks for weighing in here!
I cannot tell you how many times a client has said to me “just tell me what to eat and I’ll do it!” They never like it when I tell them, I have no idea what you’re supposed to eat. Before I can tell you anything, I need to know what you’re doing now and then we can figure it out together what’s going to work for you.
I never tell people what I personally eat in a day and I don’t tell them how many calories to eat, but… once I do know how many calories they are eating and how much of each macro-nutrient I get a better picture of what changes can be made. So, my typically answer when some one asks, what should I be eating?, It depends!
There’s so much bad info out there and quick fix approaches to weight loss that are just leaving people feeling worse about themselves. Believing if they could just follow this diet or that workout, then they would get results. Love it when I find others that speak the truth.
Lisa Swanson recently posted…The Truth Behind 8 Diet Myths
Like you Lisa, I am always shocked by people who “claim” they are eating well and doing all the right things and yet still are not seeing any positive results. I have a few people in my family circle who have dieted so many times, that their bodies are now in starvation mode and regardless of what they do, they cannot lose weight. And they say they are healthy. Emotions go a long way when it comes to the issue of weight as well. Doing everything right physically without addressing the underlying emotional issues, I find often people do not see results.
Because we are all individuals, I hear you on the frustration when people are looking for a one-size-fits all program. It is so important to work with the whole person and to address their individual needs. When people want to know how I “healed”, I don’t have a 1 to 10 list of things to suggest. My journey was definitely about trial and error. Many times.
I so appreciate how conscious you are with the way you work with people, as that to me is the only way to get results. And as far as calories…the myth continues. It truly is about nutrient dense foods, and especially understanding the need to eat low glycemic carbs and good quality proteins and fats. Thanks also for being a voice in the world to create awareness and understanding. Appreciate you sharing all you have as well.
Counting calories doesn’t work? Is this why people don’t lose weight when they eat a box of Twinkies and still are in their “calorie” limit for the day? Gasp! Who knew?
I have realized in the last few months that my joints swell up when I eat processed breads, which is extremely sad for me. However, since I think better and feel better it’s worth the trade. As long as we focus on what we can have, what we shouldn’t have isn’t so bad, right?
Of course, cupcakes made from organic matter cannot be bad! 🙂
Liz Benoit Cozby recently posted…Get out of Your Own Way, Cupcake! (Forgiving Someone’s Unconscious Transgression)
Although you may not be delighted about it, I’m happy to hear that your body is smart enough to give you “signs” that maybe some of the foods you are eating aren’t your best choices, Liz. 😉 My theory is the body starts by whispering, and then it gets louder and louder, until we can no longer ignore what it is telling us. And yes, conscious and healthy eating is really becoming more and more important for us all. Counting calories of “bad” foods, still doesn’t make it all right. And exercise cannot counteract the negative effects of poor food choices. Sounds like you and your body are having an interesting conversation.
Well I must say I’m definitely on the same page with Seth when it comes to being amazing, outstanding, surprising, elegant and note-worthy!
I love this philosophy and think it should be applied to everything that we do in life, even the small stuff. In fact I believe when you take care of the small things, the big things take care of themselves.
I certainly agree with you that being ordinary has no special appeal, indeed the one saving grace about ordinary is what it becomes when it is prefixed with ‘EXTRA’, that’s when the show really starts!
Seth has truly hit the nail on the head in respect of fear and the False Ideas that Appear Real. Sometimes they appear to be so real, they become impossible to surmount in our minds! Change can be seriously scary and one of my favourite quotes by Robin Sharma , which has become a mantra on some days, helps me put change into perspective and to battle on.
‘Change is hard at first, messy in the middle and gorgeous at the end.’
Applying change to the concept of calorie counting is not the most difficult pill for me to swallow. There is something quite artificial about counting calories anyway and in my view the process becomes so measured it takes the enjoyment out of eating.
Over the years I have naturally gravitated towards a healthy balance in all things and of course this includes food. Consuming food in moderation, exercise, supplementation, drinking water and nourishing my mind and spirit has propelled me to the pinnacle of health!
I love your thought provoking insights as always Beverley and your animated style of writing once again caresses on so many levels. Thank you my darling. x
Michelle Williams recently posted…Why Self-Love Should Be The Centre Of Your Life!
I so appreciate your thorough reading of this piece Michelle, and I love hearing how you respond to each of the key points. Love the Robin Sharma quote. It is a great mantra for any day. As a fixed sign, I am not as fluid with change at times as I would like to be, so this really speaks volumes to me on embracing and embodying change. And as far as calorie counting goes, it has been one of our long held myths that could use some transforming. I imagine it does work for some people, however, it isn’t the key puzzle piece in the weight loss game. As you’ve discovered, conscious and healthy eating is what is most important. Along with exercise and supportive supplementation. Nourishment on all levels of our being too. So delighted you enjoy my thought provoking writing and appreciate hearing it has an animated nature that “caresses” you on many levels. Much love and thanks for your engaged response.
While I never count calories (or carbs), I do think that calories count to some extent. If you are eating huge restaurant meals loaded with calories, you are simply going to gain weight. I believe that it is the quality of the food you are eating plus the building of muscle to burn those calories efficiently plus limiting stress and cortisol which holds onto those calories. I agree that you can’t always listen to the experts. They used to tell us to eat margarine, they can’t make up their mind about coffee or eggs and the list goes on and on. In the end, we must watch out for ourselves and find what works best for us.
Sherri Frost recently posted…Protein Shake Recipes You’ll Love (Because They’re so Easy)
I agree Sherri, the key is to take personal responsibility and to find what works best for us as individuals. There has been so much information that has taken hold as “truth” that people often don’t know what is true and what isn’t. Love your examples of coffee and eggs, as the pros and cons keep coming. I am pro organic eggs, actually pro most things if they are organic. And yes, eating a diet of crappy non-nutritious foods, is still bad for your health. I haven’t counted calories in a long time and I don’t eat too many carbs either, for a lot of reasons. We need balance. As I’ve heard people say, you can’t exercise away bad food choices. It just won’t work. Thanks so much for your added input, as it is so valuable to have people share their experiences and knowledge as well. And yes food quality…is always number one!
Looks like I’m going to have to look into this Ferris guy…he seems to have some interesting insights. Thank you for posting this information…always been curious about the relation of intake vs. output.
Lori Ann recently posted…Choose a Path
Get ready for a wild ride with Tim Ferriss, Lori Ann! He has some very out-of-the-box ways of researching and sharing information. There are lots of people who love him and lots of those who don’t. The Four Hour Body is not for the faint of heart, however, his science-based findings, are truly eye-opening and he is definitely someone who challenges the status quo! Let me know what you think once you have the chance to check him out.
Calories…shmalories. I just count good, healthy nutrition. I would much rather eat 300 calories of broccoli than whatever the equivalent of chocolate. It’s all about choices. Anyone that thinks 2000 calories a day means you can eat it all in ice cream is really kidding themselves.
Beth recently posted…If I Could Turn Back Time: Lessons from Summer Camp
That’s exactly the point of this piece, Beth. People misinterpret and misuse the “truth” about so many things we have bought into in our world. Consciousness and awareness are what matters. And finding what works for us individually is the key! What works for me might not work for you and vice versa. We all need to take responsibility for ourselves and find our own “truths”. Thanks for your perspective. Love it!
These guys are both such strong influencers on how we think, or teach ourselves to think. I’m an avid listener of Tim’s podcast. Love the guests he brings on his show. Thanks for your post. Interesting.
Thanks for weighing in here Vickie. Tim Ferriss is a fascinating person and although I haven’t listened to his podcast, yet, I can only imagine the wide range of interesting guests he chooses to talk with. Thanks for sharing that with me and glad you found the post interesting too.
Well… you know how I feel on some of this. I did read Tim Ferris’ 4 Hour Work Week and the Four Hour body and he has like millions more will power than 1. I could NOT eat what he did for 6 days just to binge on the 7th… yea, that just doesn’t work for me. And for me, it isn’t about the work outs, because I do that.. so it really is about the food, the right food and the portions and to be accountable, I have to write it down and track something or I don’t lose weight. Everyone is different and I love food… so for me.. it has to be about counting something… because “eating right” the majority of the time barely maintains my weight. I am clearly… NOT blessed.
The key is to find what works for us as individuals Kristen. Why I loved Time’s book, is that although it is incredibly intense, it has very solid science and results behind it. The quality of what you eat, consistently, is what counts. My system couldn’t handle the extremes either, although I know “counting calories” doesn’t work either. The scientist who came up with the calorie theory, way back when, actually debunked it shortly after it was introduced, yet it had taken hold and is unfortunately still a standard barometer in the weight loss/weight gain world. If tracking what you eat works for you, then I say do it. I am always about finding what works for you as an individual and then staying with it. The key is consistency and consciousness in my own experience. Thanks for your input! I always welcome everyone’s perspective as that is what a great conversation is all about!
When you stop to question why following a program works for Mary but not for Jane, you must come to the realization that not everyone has the same metabolism or can use the same approach; “Reality is Negotiable”. It doesn’t seem to take much consensus for people to create a “TRUTH” from what might just be someone’s experience.
Enjoyed reading this as always.
Thanks for your observations here Roslyn. The issues are that people buy into a one size fits all approach in many areas of life. The idea for me is to find what works for you as an individual and do it. It doesn’t take much consensus at all for something to take hold as a “truth”, especially in today’s world of non-stop information, however, if we believe that we create our own reality, then reality is negotiable. There are objective and subjective experiences and it is up to us to find our “truths”. Glad you enjoyed reading this one! Appreciate your comments.
One of my big pet peeves is hearing people say that they do what they do and believe what they believe because they were raised that way. We need to find our own truth and forget about what “everybody” thinks. This is a fine article and I love what you said here: “Any day is a good one to offer yourself a challenge; to question some of the widely and long held “truths” that just may not work anymore and in fact, may not have ever been true at all.”
Beth Niebuhr recently posted…My telesummit is live tomorrow!
Like you Beth, I love to challenge the status quo. If everyone is going left, I want to know what is to the right. We do need to question and find our own truth. That’s why I love the quote “reality is negotiable”, because it is. One person’s reality may not be mine. As far as science, it is based on statistics and norms. It isn’t all there is, so I know there is always room for bending the “truth” that people are so quick to buy into. The complacency shaker in me loves challenging people to ask more questions…you never know what answers you might uncover. Very much appreciate your voice in this conversation. The world needs more people like us to shake the world out of their comfort zone.
These are certainly 2 very unique individuals who ALWAYS seem to stand out with their ideas and writing.
I think it can be confusing when experts that should be able to be trusted (they intend to help, they are educated, etc.) give us “bad advice” — who do we listen to?
Cathy Jennings recently posted…A New Year, A New Kind of Networking
Agree with your comment about Seth Godin and Tim Ferriss, Cathy. Yes, they both in their own ways, challenge the status quo and offer new ways of thinking and being in the world.
And yes, it can be confusing when so called “experts” continue to perpetuate information that may actually not be good information anymore. I’ve personally always listened to what made inner sense to me. I’ve had my fair share of doctors who told me what my future would be and I didn’t like what they told me, so I questioned it and created a very different future for myself than “science” would have predicted. I agree, it is a tug of war within ourselves to know who to listen to at times. Appreciate your questions here too!
The lies we tell ourselves…I’ve always loved that reality check. The challenge is that “calories
in/calories out” message still is being advanced by places such as Heart and Stroke Associations.
Your valiant leadership to help change the course of misinformation–and provide new
information–is so important for us to hear, Beverley. Once again, well done. I’m a fan.
Thanks for your vote of confidence Sharon! The fact that the long held beliefs that continue to be proliferated by places like the Heart and Stroke Foundation and many others, are still influencing the mainstream, shows how long overdue we are for changes on our planet. In so many of our “truths”. Imagine the resistance from those who believed the world was flat, only to find out new “truths” that proved it was round. I love being a messenger of possibility as you can tell. To gently shake people out of their complacency, to question things that need to be questioned. Many thanks for being a fan too. Appreciate your kind words of support always.
Thank you for this inspirational post, Beverley. I am finding that now – over 40 – I have a lot more to be conscientious about when it comes to my weight. There’s so much misinformation out there it’s good to hear a fresh perspective.
My favorite part? The “reality is negotiable” quote – that’s truth.
Tanya Smith recently posted…Your Spellcheck is Lying to You EP043
Thanks so much for your supportive comments Tanya! Love hearing how you’re becoming more conscientious when it comes to your health and weight, and how sometimes the incredible amount of information available, can actually be misinformation. Appreciate hearing that you found some fresh perspective for yourself in this post too! And I love this quote too. Yes, I’m with you…reality is negotiable. Thanks again for stopping by and sharing your voice here!
I love Seth Godin! and totally agree that calories don’t count, it’s much more then that. I fired my family doctor over that 🙂
Gisele Grenier recently posted…Learn About Your Audience by Asking the Right Questions
Another Seth Godin lover! So happy to hear this Gisele. It is indeed much more than counting calories that leads to weight loss…or weight gain. And kudos to you for firing your family doctor for not getting this. 🙂
Great post Beverley. You have inspired me to look for the so called “truths” that no longer work in my life.
Cassandra McIntyre recently posted…2 Motivational Videos for Personal Initiative
Love that you got the essence of this post, Cassandra and happy to hear you will re-look at some of the “truths” in your life that no longer work. Appreciate you stopping by and commenting!
What a great post! I’ve been a fan of Seth’s for years myself and I agree with you on the calories point. It’s just not as simple and black-and-white as some make it sound. I see many ways I can apply this to my current life. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Lisa Mason recently posted…How to Market Your Newly Launched Website
Thanks for weighing in here Lisa. Yes, Seth is quite an inspiration and it is funny how this post even “appeared” for me in relation to him and Tim Ferriss. I agree that often things are not as black and white, or cut and dried as they appear on the surface. Especially when it comes to calories for one. Glad to hear that some of the things in this post you can apply in your own life now too.
You nailed it when you said “The truth I’ve found, lies in healthy and conscious lifestyle choices…” Being healthy starts with a healthy mindset, focused on maintaining an active lifestyle well into your 80’s . I don’t stress so much over calories either, but I am conscious of the kinds of foods I consume, cutting out the “white stuff” from my diet and “eating the rainbow” as much as possible. I feel so much better just doing that! I wonder if those two guys knew they were inspiring your thoughts on calorie counting!
Susan Tolles recently posted…5 Keys to Easier Decision Making
Thanks so much for sharing how you stay healthy and active, Susan. You sound like you are making wise choices and it’s wonderful to hear that you are feeling great just cutting out all the usual suspects in the food world. I also believe that through healthy and conscious choices, we can live longer and healthier and I love sharing this possibility with people. As far as if Seth and Tim know they influenced this post, not sure. It would be fun to hear their thoughts though. Thanks for stopping by and sharing with us all!
I think your point here goes beyond calories and into being careful what we believe in general. There is so much misinformation out there about virtually every subject. That’s why it’s important to have a reference for truth outside of oneself against which you can measure everything that comes along. For me, that’s the Bible. Great post!
Carol Rundle recently posted…Incorporating Your Faith into Your Business
Absolutely Carol. The point of the piece is that we so often take something we heard from someone who is an expert, and believe it is the truth. Yes, there is much misinformation, some of it purposely and some unintentionally, and I agree with your point, that we have to question what is truth and have a higher reference for what that is for us individually. In the case of calories, even the scientist who originally identified them, later refuted his theory as faulty, and yet the “myth” persists and it is often the way people refer to the weight gain and weight loss subject. Thanks for getting the essence of this post! Appreciate you sharing with us all!
“Be daring. Explore what works for you.” A mantra and a half!! The research I’ve been doing around health / nutrition / lifestyle shows that there are, indeed, many paths to health. Glad you’ve found the path that suits you!! Great post, Beverley.
Deb Nelson recently posted…Five Reasons Listening to Podcasts is NOT a Waste of Time
Glad you liked that mantra, Deb. I literally made it up as I was rewriting the post. 🙂 And yes, health and nutrition and lifestyle does have much based in science, however, it ultimately becomes a very individual and personal journey to find what really works for you. Sometimes no matter what you do on a physical level does change things. There is always the emotional and spiritual components of our overall wellbeing and for that reason, it is about finding what works for us. Sometimes that takes trail and error. And lot of it. I love defying what is “possible” and have definitely walked a path to see what works and what doesn’t. Glad you enjoyed the post too! Many thanks.
I guess everyone is different. I lost 40 pounds last year counting calories. I found it valuable to put numbers on what I was eating because I had never paid attention before. You can’t track what you don’t measure.
Susan Critelli recently posted…Evaluation and Strategy
Thanks for stopping by to read this post Susan. The key here is really the quality of the calories. I imagine that you were not only counting calories, but were very conscious of the foods and their nutrient density. If counting calories worked for you then that is amazing. The key is always to balance your protein, carbs (low-glycemic of course) and fats. It helps to balance blood sugar and avoid food cravings which are often what people can’t overcome. Congratulations on losing 40 pounds and committing to your health and well being. That’s what is most important! Appreciate you sharing what worked for you with us all too.
Great article Beverley. The calorie is the root of all evil misinformation has been going on for such a long time that it is ingrained into most peoples beliefs. I use the principal of healthy eating and regular exercise in my lifestyle and almost never factor calories into my diet. Love the quote “Reality is negotiable.”, this is so true. Cheers, Ian.
Ian Campbell recently posted…What Is A Call To Action
Sounds like you learned this information well Ian and are applying it very wisely in your own life. Love hearing that healthy eating and regular exercise without any regard for calories, works perfectly for you. And yes…I do believe that reality is negotiable. Glad this one resonated with you too! Cheers to you too.
Hi Beverley,
When I started getting more serious about making a commitment to a healthier lifestyle last August; my health coaches preached this all the time. It went against my beliefs that you had to count calories to lose, but made sense because I was still always hungry at the end of the day. We need the right calories to fuel our bodies, and you need more if you are engaging in intense exercise. I always use the example that a banana has more calories than those 10 calorie snack packs and the banana is clearly the healthier choice
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So true that this is often a challenging lesson for some people, Sharise. We have been so ingrained with the idea that we need to count calories to lose or gain weight, and yet calories are the least important piece of the equation. Glad to hear you learned it wisely and now can incorporate this in your own life and in the work you do with others. Thanks for sharing your experience in coming to the understanding that calories don’t count. The banana example is perfect as an example too.