08/04/2021
I can see it now.
You went online and found a calorie counting calculator to determine your caloric deficit to reach your summer body weight goal.
You input your age, gender, weight, height, and activity level. Out pops a myriad of numbers that tell you exactly how many calories to consume daily if you want to be on a mild, moderate, or extreme weight loss plan. You choose the most extreme plan because you’re dedicated and want fast results. The plan tells you to consume around 1200 calories a day. Math time. You figure 400 calorie meals 3 times a day isn’t too bad; you’ll just have to go without carb and fat dense foods.
Day 1 of your 1200 calorie diet begins. You wake up hungry so you eat your first 400 calorie meal. You’re not satiated at all, but that’s alright, the excitement from beginning a new plan pushes you through to lunchtime where you eat your second 400 calorie meal. You were still hungry from the first meal, and the second one still isn’t providing fullness. You’re also starting to feel dizziness, a little nausea, and a headache is beginning to creep in. No worries, you got this! You drink a ton of water. Glug, glug, glug. Dinner rolls around and you eat your last meal, savoring it, but the slower you eat, the hungrier you feel. You convince yourself that this is an adjustment period, and you go to sleep with hunger pains.
You’ve somehow made it to Day 4, but now your willpower is waning. This is the point where irritability seeps in because you still have a few more months left on this plan. If it’s been this tough already, how are you supposed to complete the whole plan.
Frustration sets in and you get angry. Angry that you “let yourself go” and don’t like what you see in the mirror. Angry that you can’t enjoy your food because it’s not enough and most likely not flavorful. Angry that you are having thoughts of quitting, which perpetuate the idea that you’re never disciplined enough.
I’ve been there.
What if I told you that 1200 calories is the recommended amount of food that a toddler eats?
What if I told you that you can still lose weight safely (if that is your goal) and not have to count calories?
What’s the alternative?
Cont...