This blog started with a question, "What is the best way to lose weight, or more specifically, fat?" The obvious answer, to be successful, you must control your eating and include some exercise. Everybody is aware of that, but the question that most people want to know is, what is the best way to cut back on calories?
We'll look at a few different options, but for now lets look at the best known and most successful, counting calories. Weight Watchers is a perfect example of a calorie counting program. I remember when my Dad had to lose weight for his job. He was always breaking out the food scales and measuring what he was about to eat and calculating the calories. Today's Weight Watchers is a little different. All of the calorie counting has been done for you utilizing a point system, but your still responsible for portion control and you have to keep track of those points.
With a calorie counting system a food journal is a must. If you think you can remember your calories as the day unwinds you are only fooling yourself. A food journal keeps you honest and accountable. Along with tracking your calories, if you want, you can also track your protein, carbs and fat. Using some software for this makes it a little easier and you can really dial in your nutritional requirements.
As you adjust your nutrients you begin to get a feel for how the different combinations of foods effect you. Protein picks you up, speeds up your metabolism. Carbs relax you and make you feel sleepy. Too much fat slows you down and makes you feel bloated. As a teenager I learned all of these food attributes as I meticulously recorded every calorie, protein, carb and fat gram using a pen, a journal, food count logs and a calculator. Within a few short months I had whittled my body fat down to very low levels, probably the lowest in my life.
Of all the fat loss diets I have read about, heard about and tried nothing beats basic journaling. What I like most is that nothing is forbidden. You don't have to eliminate any foods or combinations of foods, you just have to keep track. Determine your limits and stay within the guidelines...for me, it is the best system.
This blog started with a question, "What is the best way to lose weight, or more specifically, fat?" The obvious answer, to be successful, you must control your eating and include some exercise. Everybody is aware of that, but the question that most people want to know is, what is the best way to cut back on calories?
We'll look at a few different options, but for now lets look at the best known and most successful, counting calories. Weight Watchers is a perfect example of a calorie counting program. I remember when my Dad had to lose weight for his job. He was always breaking out the food scales and measuring what he was about to eat and calculating the calories. Today's Weight Watchers is a little different. All of the calorie counting has been done for you utilizing a point system, but your still responsible for portion control and you have to keep track of those points.
With a calorie counting system a food journal is a must. If you think you can remember your calories as the day unwinds you are only fooling yourself. A food journal keeps you honest and accountable. Along with tracking your calories, if you want, you can also track your protein, carbs and fat. Using some software for this makes it a little easier and you can really dial in your nutritional requirements.
As you adjust your nutrients you begin to get a feel for how the different combinations of foods effect you. Protein picks you up, speeds up your metabolism. Carbs relax you and make you feel sleepy. Too much fat slows you down and makes you feel bloated. As a teenager I learned all of these food attributes as I meticulously recorded every calorie, protein, carb and fat gram using a pen, a journal, food count logs and a calculator. Within a few short months I had whittled my body fat down to very low levels, probably the lowest in my life.
Of all the fat loss diets I have read about, heard about and tried nothing beats basic journaling. What I like most is that nothing is forbidden. You don't have to eliminate any foods or combinations of foods, you just have to keep track. Determine your limits and stay within the guidelines...for me, it is the best system.