Counting Calories is So Last Season!

Should you count calories?

People ask me all the time how many calories do you eat? How many calories should I be eating?  How many calories are in this and that?

I did my fair share of calorie counting for YEARS, it was all I knew at one point in time to get my clients results when I started out as a trainer.  I competed in fitness shows, practiced strict calorie requirements and carb cycling to meet my goals and to look ultra lean on stage.  

Then I quit counting calories about four years ago and I’ve never felt more liberated, lean and happy with my body since.

By the time a client gets to me they are usually so obsessed and frustrated with counting calories, feeling deprived and have plateaued with results.  Then I give them food freedom by teaching them how to dial in their diet, never count calories again and give their body exactly what it needs to feel satisfied.

MYTH BUSTER ALERT!

The idea of counting calories came from the 1st Law of Thermodynamics…energy is neither created nor destroyed it is merely converted…so in essence the myth is that as calories are burned they are converted into heat energy and sweat and that’s what makes you lose weight.

BUT the 1st Law of Thermodynamics is based on what’s called a “closed system” meaning there is no outlet so that energy has to be converted, and our bodies are NOT a closed system. They actually have multiple holes that we excrete used energy from (hehe).

It’s time to throw out that old school of thought and get in with the new school of thought.  It’s time to tune into YOUR BODY and give it what it needs to get the results that YOU WANT.

TravelFit Coaching Paradigm #5- You are unique and therefor your diet should be too.

There is no one diet fits all and that includes counting calories.  Sure when you deprive your body of calories you’ll get results for a while but do they ever really stick for good?

Initially I teach my clients the philosophy of metabolic typing. Discovering the right balance of protein, carbohydrates and fats to fit their body.  Then we use that as a foundation to really hone in on their body’s unique needs.  

It’s about the quality of food you put in your body, not the quantity.  When your putting the right kind of high quality fuel in your body it will turn into a lean, mean fat-burning machine. You wouldn’t put low-grade fuel in a Ferrari right?  Your metabolism is your body’s fuel burning engine so treat it like a Ferrari and you’ll get better performance out of it.

Here are some quick questions to help you figure out your metabolic type…

1) Do you feel hungry and the need to eat within at least 2 hours of waking up?

2) Could you skip breakfast, just have a coffee and feel satisfied until lunch time?

3) A large breakfast that includes proteins like eggs and bacon makes me feel best and keeps me full for 2 hours or more?

4) A light breakfast of cereal, yogurt and/or fruit makes me feel best and keeps me full for 2 hours or more?

If you answered ‘Yes’ to questions #1 and #3 then you are most likely a Protein Type.  If you answered ‘Yes’ to questions #2 and #4 then you are most likely a Carbohydrate Type.  If you did not stand out as a Protein or Carbohydrate Type then you are most likely a Mixed Type.  

I believe it’s virtually impossible to overeat healthy foods. For one, when you put the right foods in your body you’ll feel satisfied, not deprived and not wanting to eat everything in sight. Secondly you’re nourishing the body with all kinds of goodness; vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients.

Once you tune into exactly what your body is asking for then you never have to count another calorie again.

In Health –
Jenn