Calorie Rant!

It’s my rest day, so I decided to post something outside of the norm! Something more can relate to. But before I start the rant, I just had to announce that I did make my PR for most miles run in a single month. 153.75 baby!

<—-Start Rant——>

“Calorie Counting” is on the top of my list of least favorite things to do. I used to be obsessed with it. I had the calorie counting apps on my phone with all my meals programmed in, matching precisely with the label of everything I ate. There were days I was so proud that I made goal, but those days were few and far between. I was miserable for the most part. I was only hungry enough for the calories an app said I was hungry for. I didn’t even recognize what hunger felt like after years of tracking. I spent AT LEAST an hour a day tracking my intake and what my future meals could be. It was like homework: Researching, adding, and subtracting.

SCREW. THAT.

One day, I was fed up. I deleted the app and account completely. I did freak out, but I knew I was better off. It was a huge weight off my shoulders. Food suddenly tasted better. I was still very conscious of my intake (I had the calories memorized), but I slowly lost the ability to care. I knew what was healthy and what wasn’t. I knew what portions I should generally have. But the best part…I never gained a pound.

You have no idea how shocking it was to feel my stomach growl for the first time in years because I started letting my body do what it needed to do. My body was able to decide when it needed food and how much. The app/calorie counting wasn’t in charge anymore.

…And did I mention that food tasted so much better!

It’s been several months since I counted calories. Though, once in a blue moon, I will take a random day and count, just to see where I stand. Here’s what’s funny…I take in less calories just listening to my body than what I did actually counting.

I will tell those trying to lose weight all day long, be aware of what your eating by reading labels, but don’t count every calorie! You shouldn’t need to! Your body will tell you what it needs! Just listen! Be more concerned about what’s in the food you eat, like the ingredients.  Don’t even ration your meals, just eat till your satisfied, not stuffed. You never have to finish your plate. Cover it and save it for your next meal.

Counting calories is going to leave you unhappy and yo-yoing your weight for the rest of your life.

Trust in your body!!!

I will end this post with a picture of my favorite snack…

Two rice cakes topped with Nutella or Peanut Butter or BOTH. With almonds and honey. Sometimes I will do bananas and chocolate chips instead of the almonds and honey.