To create a happy & healthy life, we need freedom from a dieting mindset & calorie counting.
I don’t advocate strictly counting calories & I don’t advocate ignoring them completely, especially if you aim to lose weight. I teach clients to be CALORIE CONSCIOUS, meaning not calorie obsessed, not calorie oblivious…just calorie aware.
How to Be CALORIE CONSCIOUS:
Don’t obsessively count calories.
Do learn calories-ISH. Use food labels & websites like THIS to learn the general calorie-ballpark of foods.
Don’t tally total calories at the end of the day.
Do visualize each meal to be 400 calories-ISH like THIS. If three meals are in balance throughout the day, then calories naturally work out. PS: Men & active women may want to visualize higher calorie-ISH meals.
Don’t nibble, nosh, graze mindlessly.
Do eat 1-2 snacks daily that are 150 calories-ISH. The best combo is produce + protein like THIS.
Don’t get fooled – there are calories in healthy foods.
Do give yourself extra credit for choosing nutritious food. We burn about 50% more calories eating whole, healthy food than highly processed CRAP. But portions still matter.
Don’t rely on calorie counting apps to tell you how you are doing.
Do pay attention to how food choices & portions make you FEEL. Food should make you feel energized, not sluggish.
