How Many Calories Should I Eat to Lose Weight?

Arguably the #1 weight loss question I get asked is, “How many calories should I eat to lose weight?” I simply tell them what my advanced accounting professor told me his favorite answer to every accounting question is: IT DEPENDS!

It all depends on what ratio of macronutrients you consume on a daily basis. Yes, it is that easy! Do not sit there and beat yourself on the head placing all of your diet endeavors on calorie counting. The truth of the matter is that macronutrient management is the key to making your fat extinct once and for all!

While calories are a part of the 3 macronutrients (one gram of carb or protein contains 4 calories while a gram of fat contains 9), your main focus to achieving permanent weight loss should be placed on eating the right ratio and amount of macronutrients at the right times of the day. I remember when I was your typical calorie counter like most people. After years of using this tactic, I got 0.0% weight loss results.

So What Exactly Are Macronutrients?

Macronutrients are the key components that make up your diet. There are three macronutrients which consist of protein, carbs and fat.

Protein: This is the building block of tissue in your body. Without protein, there cannot be any life. Protein is key to increasing your metabolism and giving you muscle tone.

Quick Weight Loss Tip: A key to increasing your metabolism, controlling your appetite and losing body fat is to eat protein every 3 hours!

Carbohydrates: In order to control your appetite, increase your energy levels and focus, your body needs carbohydrates. Also, do you know that eating the wrong types of carbohydrates will lay a huge role in increasing your appetite and waistline? Not all carbohydrates are the same.

Quick Weight Loss Tip: In order to achieve your weight loss goals you need the right carbohydrates at the right times of the day. This will allow you to incinerate your fat and increase your energy levels at the same time. As a result you will be getting the best of both worlds.

In order to accomplish this focus on consuming natural slow burning carbs as opposed to fast released ones. For example, vegetables, baked potatoes and yams are all great sources of slow released carbs.

Fats: Believe it or not, fats play the biggest role in appetite suppression. As incredible as it sounds, your ability to burn off additional body fat requires you to consume the right amounts of fats. Focus on natural sources of fats that are high on Omega 3 fatty acids.

Quick Weight Loss Tip: Depriving your body of fats will cripple your ability to lose any of it since your body will go into an emergency mode and try to retain all of the fat it has instead!