Calories

I’ve heard things like, “A calorie is a calorie,” and “Calories in, calories out.” When I hear statements like this, a picture comes to mind of an old-fashioned scale, with “calories eaten” on one saucer and “calories burned” on the other saucer. For weight maintenance, the saucers should balance each other perfectly; for weight loss, the balance should be tipped toward “calories burned.”

I do have questions about the theory that it makes no difference what you eat or how you exercise, and that it all comes down to calories. First, how do you know how many calories you’re truly burning each day? What about those people who can eat almost anything and never gain a pound? What if there are two people who eat the same number of calories, but one eats mostly fat and the other eats mostly carbohydrates? Finally, aren’t there certain exercises that help with weight loss beyond the number of calories burned during the workout?

I suppose scientists could speculate answers to some of these questions and give good guesses, but the best answer is that it really is up to each one of us to figure these questions out for ourselves. Every body is unique and responds to foods and exercise differently. I’ve spoken with people who thrive on a high meat and protein diet, while I feel so much better with less meat and more whole grains.

Nevertheless, I have learned one thing for myself that could very well apply to everyone: too many calories, especially unhealthy calories, or too few calories will hurt our bodies in the long run. That is why I am choosing to count my caloric intake each day. I am learning the number of calories and amount of fat, protein, and carbs I need each day for weight loss and generally feeling well. In many ways, I am my own doctor.