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Why it is important to count calories

When you are trying to lose weight, it is very important to have a caloric deficit each day, but not such a huge deficit that your metabolism slows down. Many people will say they know how much they are eating and don’t have to track calories. For some people that may be true but for the majority of people, it isn’t.

How do you really know how many calories you are putting into your body unless you are keeping track? It is important to have a good idea so that you know whether you need to decrease, or even increase your caloric intake. It also helps you to keep track of your macros and make sure you are getting the right ratio of protein, carbs, and healthy fats.

When I first started counting my calories I was shocked at how many I was actually taking in. I was able to adjust and the weight started coming off again. Some people might find it necessary to start eating more in order to lose weight. If you starve yourself your body fights back and slows your metabolism way down, making it really difficult to lose weight.

It’s not important to be 100% accurate. What is important is to have a good idea, and to be consistent with how you track. Then, you can make adjustments if necessary.

I’ll be the first to admit that tracking calories can be a pain in the butt. I usually do it for a few weeks to make sure I’m on the right track, then stop for a while. You’ll find that after you’ve tracked for a period of time, you’ll have a good idea of how much you’re taking in. Every so often you should track again for a week to make sure you are still in the right range.

Stay tuned for another post on how I track calories and how to make it as easy and painless as possible.

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