Why aren't you asking for a better weight loss method?

When I would “cut” which is the term used to reference cutting body fat for a show, I would play the numbers game. 1750 calories a day; composed of 60/30/10 split between protein, carbs and fat. Making sure I counted the fat and calories from my fish oil supplements and the BCAAs. A deficit of a normal 1900 calorie diet and on top of my usual weight lifting I had to jump on the treadmill to burn 350 calories a day to get a total deficit of 3500 calories a week because 3500 calories is one pound. Are you confused yet?

This was the life I lived when I competed in fitness competitions. The constant numbers game – I analyzed everything that touched my lips….EVEN MY GUM! And it wasn’t even as simple as looking on the back of labels and saying this has 50 calories so I can eat 1700 more today, because I had to determine what those calories were….carbs, fat, protein…..because it ALL mattered.

I had to reserve all my hard earned muscle while trying to burn all the stubborn fat and if I was really lucky put on more muscle…because everyone knows muscle burns more calories than fat…a whole five calories per pound of muscle!!

On that note I will admit that this made no sense to me. Muscle burns FIVE measly calories per pound more than fat? Wow, I really feel cheated. But everyone was talking about it. Pushing the muscle burns more fat theory. I just wanted more muscle because it looks kick ass in tank tops, bikinis and jeans….BUT don’t forget it burned FIVE more calories….EVEN AT REST!! Holy crap!

This is a bit crazy of course - but if you do calories in versus calories out this should seem pretty familar albeit extreme.

This makes no sense people! It really doesn’t. Let’s look at this realistically; I’ve said in a previous blog post that our bodies don’t have calorie sensors. If you don’t know how many calories your body is burning – for organ function AND expended energy – then how do you know how many to eat or to retain your deficit? The thing that amazes me the most is this complicated method people hang on to with a death grip! It sucks to live like this, every thought on food and your next work out – but this is what we are hanging on to? Really!?! And the worst part is IT’S NOT WORKING!!! People are getting fatter, and sicker and we have more crazy diseases everyday…and new ones developing from the medications that you have to take to control symptoms to these diseases. I don’t understand why someone isn’t asking “There has to be a better way?!”

There is a better way…Paleo, low carb, Atkins, Evolution diet, whatever you want to call it. Your food pyramid should be meats, veggies, eggs, nuts and fruit in moderation. Don’t count a single calorie – eat until satiated – if you aren’t hungry don’t eat (there is no need to graze…previously ranted about). Don’t consume your thoughts about calories, workouts, and macronutrients. Think about your family, take a walk, breath deep, watch a movie, read a good book, scrapbook…do something that makes you HAPPY!

And reap the benefits! I promise you if you can stick to a food pyramid like this and cut out starch, carbs and sugars you will feel better, look better and be less sick!