This Myth about Calories Debunked

In last week’s post , we explained how eating too little can stall your weight loss efforts. This week, we’re continuing on with the “calorie” theme to dispel a weight loss myth. The myth about calories is that all calories are created equal and you just have to cut a bunch of them out to lose weight.

Well, we already established that cutting calories too low over a sustained period of time is problematic. But while managing your calories intake and outtake is important, keep in mind that a calorie is NOT just a calorie. 

Example

 

Now let’s break this down. For about 170 calories, you could eat one Twinkie or 28 almonds.

Same number of calories.

But what did you provide for your body with the Twinkie? A boat load of sugar and preservatives. No protein. Absolutely no vitamins. Zero minerals. NO NUTRITION at all for that 170 calories.

AGAIN, no nutrition whatsoever…

But, with the nuts, you get some healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, a little bit of protein and minerals. You get some decent nutrition as well as a better blood sugar profile AND a better feeling of fullness than you got with the Twinkie.

The moral of today’s story: The quality of the calorie is just as important as how much you eat. The myth about calories = all calories are the same and you can lose weight by cutting calories.

⬆️⬆️⬆️ DON’T DO THIS ⬆️⬆️⬆️

⬆️⬆️⬆️ DO THIS ⬆️⬆️⬆️

The Science

 

Different foods act very differently once they are digested and absorbed by your body. 

Foods rich in fiber, healthy fats, and a vast array of vitamins and minerals take longer to digest. 

Because of this, they have a positive impact on your blood sugar (much slower increase) and your feelings of fullness. Plus, these same foods impact your body’s ability to release hormones that boost meal satisfaction, therefore preventing overeating at other meals.

Other certain foods, like protein, may positively impact your metabolism (by speeding it up), therefore boosting weight and body fat loss.

The Takeaway

 

To conclude, making better choices with your calories will lead to improvements in your level of body fat and the overall status of your health.

NEED HELP FIGURING THIS ALL OUT?

If you’re feeling stuck or frustrated and want help figuring out how to reach your health and fitness goals, the coaches at lifeSport Fitness are here to help!

We invite you to schedule a complimentary 30-minute consultation via phone, Zoom or in-person at our clean, bright personal training studio in San Jose. We’ll answer your questions and help you figure out a nutrition game plan so you can look and feel your best!

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Are You Eating as Healthy as You Think You Are?

In my line of work as a personal trainer and boot camp instructor in San Jose, one of the first things I do with new clients is offer to take a look at a 3-5 day food journal. It’s really the only way that I can help my customers make sensible changes that will lead to fat loss. I get a lot of resistance to the food journal with some folks. I hear phrases like this a lot: “I eat really well, Becky, so I can’t quite figure out why I’m not losing weight”.

Yes, some folks DO eat really well. Others—not so much (yet they think they’re doing great).

I was going to do a cool “eat this, not that for fat loss” video for you, but then I realized that a colleague of mine, the Abs Expert himself Scott Colby, did a great video a few months back that really illustrates how what you might think is a healthy diet really isn’t all that healthy.

Scott and I think a lot a like, so I’ll let Scott tell you ☺


The next time you go grocery shopping, think about some of the things Scott has presented here. Just because a packaged item says it’s healthy for you doesn’t mean it is.

Want to learn more about how to improve your diet from the Abs Expert himself?? You have an opportunity to spend some time vacationing, working out, and getting motivated by Scott Colby.

You can learn about his life-changing fitness adventure here:

www.FitnessAdventuresUSA.com

Here’s a video capturing some of the comments of past Fitness Adventure clients (and you’ll hear how much weight one women lost while ON VACATION!)


Once again–the next time you’re at the grocery store, keep some of Scott’s ideas in mind. Are you really making a good, healthy, natural choice?

Neither Scott nor I think you have to be perfect with regard to nutrition. We just want to help you get better.

Committed to your success,

Becky