In recent years, we have not had any major or groundbreaking discoveries about the human body.
No new organs have been found.
Researchers have not identified any new processes, hormones, or functions.
Now, that’s not to say we haven’t learned more about what it does because in that department more and more continues to be discovered.
But quite honestly, the human body has been pretty boring lately…
While I’m a physiology geek and love learning more about the human body, I think it’s okay that it’s been boring in that department because the dieting world has been POPPING!
It seems that a new diet or product comes out every week!
The sales and marketing reps make these diets and products look super flashy and frame them to be “THE THING” for fat loss, and they do such an incredible job of pitching it that your credit card shows up faster than any Jimmy John’s sub.
But there’s one big problem…
If the human body isn’t really changing, why do we need all these new diets and products?
Wouldn’t that mean that the secret to changing your body composition still remains the same?
Aren’t calories still the most important thing for fat loss?
Why yes, yes, they are, so let me know you why.
Calories Provide Energy (Literally)
In formal terms, a calorie is the unit of energy required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water through 1 degree Celsius.
Simply put, a calorie is a unit of energy.
These calories make up food, and we get our energy through the consumption of food.
When we consume food, our body begins a process to produce heat that serves as the necessary fuel to properly function.
Whether your goal is to lose body fat, build muscle, or gain weight, your body NEEDS calories. They fuel all body processes from things like muscular contractions, digestion, respiration, and even thinking!
Without calories, your body does not have energy or fuel to survive!
Calorie Management = Weight Management
Like I said before, you NEED calories whether you’re trying to lose weight, gain weight, or maintain, so how does 1 small unit of energy have such a LARGE impact on your weight management?
Your calorie consumption is where your unique goals come in to play, as the manipulation of influences your weight.
Take a look at the calorie and weight management:
As you can see, calories determine your weight, so I’d say they’re pretty important for fat loss, right?
Where They Come From Matters
At the end of the day, a calorie is a calorie.
For that reason that’s where terms like flexible dieting came from because theoretically you can eat WHATEVER YOU WANT so long as you consume less than you burn, you’ll lose weight (or any other manipulation of this relationship).
But, I don’t recommend going down that path…
Because not all calories are created equal.
Think about it.
How do you feel when you eat a bowl of ice cream?
Now, compare that to when you eat a sweet potato.
Different, right?
Calories from different sources affect your body in different ways.
If you’re in a caloric deficit but eating highly processed, low quality foods, you’re more likely to gain excess fat and reach your goal weight and still feel unsatisfied.
If you instead fill your calories with high quality, minimally processed foods, you’re more likely to lose body fat as you desire and feel satisfied at your goal weight.
Look, I know some coaches out there tell you they have the secret to fat loss.
I know that there are supplement companies that try to draw you in on their fat shredding products that make weight loss seem almost instantaneous.
But the secret to fat loss remains the same… CALORIES!
If your weight is stuck or you feel that no matter how clean you eat you still gain weight, then apply for coaching HERE.
Quit guessing on your unique calorie recommendations, and get settled into a nutrition plan set for YOU!
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About The Author
Jordan Davies is the Co-Owner of Complete Performance. Jordan has her B.S. in Exercise Science and Psychology, and her M.A. in Holistic Health Studies. She is a CSCS certified strength and conditioning coach, and a PN-1 and NCI-1 certified nutrition coach. She loves to study how the human body needs to be moved and nourished and making that fit to your unique lifestyle. Click Here Now to Apply for Coaching with Jordan
