The Myth of Cutting Calories and Why It Doesn't Always Work

When searching for ways to lose weight, you'll probably come across calorie cutting. It's one of the oldest and most popular dieting methods. By reducing the number of calories you consume, conventional wisdom should lead you to believe that you'll lose weight. After all, high-calorie diets typically correlated with weight gain. The reality, however, is that cutting calories doesn't always work.

Our Bodies Need Calories

Many people assume that calories are bad. If a food or beverage is high in calories, they'll avoid it. You have to remember, though, that our bodies need calories. Therefore, you can't omit from their diet.

By definition, a calorie is a metric by which energy is measured. A single calorie is just enough energy to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1 degree Celsius. When consumed, they provide our bodies with energy. Our bodies need energy to perform metabolic processes, including the regulation of hormones that affect weight gain and weight loss. If you don't consume a sufficient amount of calories, your body's energy levels will drop. This may result in changes in your body hormones and chemicals that contribute to weight gain.

Not All Calories Are the Same

Another reason cutting calories doesn't always work is because not all calories are the same. Some calories come from healthy and nutritious foods, whereas other calories from junk foods that are devoid of nutritional value.

There are plenty of high-calorie foods that are good for your health, and many of these foods can help you lose weight. Olive oil, for example, is considered a high-calorie food. Just 1 tablespoon can carry up to 120 calories. Even with its high caloric content, though, olive oil is good for your health. It contains omega-3 fatty acids that lower cholesterol levels. On the other hand, french fries with ketchup can contain just as many calories but without the added nutritional value.

How to Lose Weight Effectively

You should still be conscious of how many calories you consume in a day, but that shouldn't be the foundation of your weight loss efforts. Instead, focus on increasing your physical activity levels. If you are physically active, you'll burn more calories, allowing you to lose weight more quickly.

Cardio exercise is ideal when trying to lose weight. Also known as aerobic exercise, it stimulates your heart rate and breathing rate. These effects result in more calories, as well as fat, being burned when compared to other types of exercises.