A couple of posts ago, I shared with you a calculation to use to estimate how many calories you should eat in order to lose weight. It’s based on your current size and current activity level.If you haven’t done your calculation, please do it now.
Another important factor in weight loss is eating at regular intervals–about every 3-4 hours or so. This is SO important! It should look something like this: Small meal, snack, small meal, snack, small meal, snack. You can divide the calories that you came up with in your calculation between all these mini-meals.
My snacks are usually 100-180 calories, and then I make up the bulk of my calories with the three small meals. I don’t count calories most of the time (although I do log into my FitDay account every now and then to see how my calories are adding up), as I’ve gotten pretty used to “eyeballing” portion sizes or weighing them on a food scale. You’ll figure out what works best for you.
So, if you’re really serious about losing some body fat, this is an important thing to do: spread your calories out over your waking hours. This keeps your metabolism running a little higher (it takes calories to digest food), it keeps hunger from creeping up on you, it keeps your blood sugar levels steady (as long as you make appropriate food choices!), and it lets your body know that it will be fed at regular intervals (so it doesn’t need to hold on for dear life to body fat as reserve fuel).
Give this a try and I’ll be back in a few days with more exercise homework and a few more weight loss tips.
Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!
Committed to your success,
Becky