Why You Should Count Calories

There is a definite divide when it comes to whether or not you should count calories. On the one hand, knowing your exact food consumption is very helpful toward losing weight, but on the other, side of the coin it is time consuming and can lead to disordered eating. It can be a double-edged sword if you aren't careful.

You can even get an app for your SmartPhone that will count, calculate and keep track of the calories for you.

Here is a list of pros and cons:

Why you SHOULD Count Calories

• If you have never tried to count calories before it can be very revealing as to why you are not losing weight or achieving other fitness goals such as muscle building.
• After figuring out your daily caloric needs counting calories and macro-nutrients (protein, carbohydrates and fat) will assist with designing the perfect meal plan for your goals and lifestyle.
• Counting calories ensures that you will never gain weight.
• So you can keep track of both your intake of calories and your usage of calories via exercise.

When Counting Calories is a Bad Idea

• If you begin to obsess or restrict calories
• If counting calories makes you "unbending." (ex: you won't dine with friends because you do not know the calorie counts in the foods that you are eating).
• If you find it too time consuming and it is more a chore than a helpful tool. 
• If your friends start to worry about your unhealthy thinness.

Find the Balance and Eat Healthy!

Once you have counted calories and you recognize the calorie content in the meals that you routinely eat there is no reason to count calories anymore. Once in a while you may find that you want to know the calorie count of a new food and that's perfectly acceptable and normal behavior. However, if you find that counting calories is becoming more of a negative, rather than a helpful way to achieve goals, then sticking to smart sized portions and natural food is the best way to go.