Calories In VS Calories Out

The “calories in versus calories out” approach is one that I use because it:

1) Allows me to maintain a healthy and highly-functioning body, that I am happy with, and…

2) Is a WAY simpler method to track your calories…without EVER tracking calories - because, in my experience, numbers never really are our friends when it comes to creating new habits and lifestyles, as they often times leave room for feelings of defeat.

The idea behind “calories in, calories out” is that to maintain a consistent weight, the number of calories you eat would need to mimic the number you expend.

“Calories in” refers to the calories you get from the foods you eat, while “calories out” is the number of calories you burn.

There are x3 main bodily processes that burn calories:

• Basic metabolism - Your body uses most of the calories you get from food to sustain basic functions, such as breathing or having your heart beat. This is commonly referred to as your basal metabolic rate.

• Digestion - Digestion alone burns about 10-15% of the calories you consumed. This is known as the thermic effect of food (TEF) and changes based on the foods you consume.

• Physical activity - The calories remaining you get from your diet, are meant to fuel your physical activity, including workouts and everyday tasks like walking, driving, readying, and doing laundry.

When the number of calories you take in from food is the same as the number of calories you burn to sustain your metabolism, digestion, and physical activity, your weight will remain constant.

So therefore, it is true that you must be in a calorie deficit in order to lose weight…but that doesn’t mean you have to stop eating. Instead - start moving more, and be conscious of your:

1) consumption

2) physical activity

Find. that. BALANCE!