Okay guys, let’s talk about calories. Or, more specifically, counting them. It’s a thing we do and it’s very socially acceptable, but I’m here to tell you that it’s okay to stop it. No, really. Stop. Let me explain myself.
Calorie counting is antiquated.
We’ve all heard that a normal, healthy diet is roughly 2,000 to 2,500 calories. Even today, doctors recommend keeping your caloric intake within this range to maintain a healthy weight, but athletes are rarely taken into consideration when this recommendation is made. Many nutritional experts now say that, depending on the level of exercise, a female athlete’s caloric intake should roughly be between 2,500 and 4,000 a day. That’s a different number than what you’re used to, huh?
Nutritional information is way more valuable.
The nutritional labels on the back of packaged foods are way more valuable than for the amount of calories listed. Instead of looking at the number of calories that are in that bag of pita chips, look at the amount of sugar and fat in them. These more specific measures of nutrition can give you more information about what your body actually does with those pita chips. While both components count as calories, your body does very different things with them. Sugar is burned off immediately, but your body tends to hold onto fat. Sodium content is also key. The more sodium in your body, the more water your body needs to maintain homeostasis. Now that’s something that calories can’t tell you, isn’t it?
You actually need calories—they’re legitimate energy.
People get into trouble when they obsess over counting calories. They deal with them like it’s a game of golf, honestly. They think the lower you go, the healthier and fitter they’ll be. They’re so wrong. But cutting calories in excess, you’re actually cutting the amount of energy that you have for workouts. So not only are you going to have a bad workout, but you’ll be lethargic for the rest of your day as well. You need calories, but the calories you take in can be good, healthy calories. Whole grains instead of refined flour have the same amount of calories, but whole grains have a ton more nutritional energy than refined ones do.
Eat what makes you feel good.
At the end of the day, you need to eat what makes you feel good. Staying away from empty calories is always a good thing, but having a cupcake every now and then isn’t the end of the world. Grab some whole wheat pasta and cheese if that’s what you need for your workout. Grab a salad if that’s what’s floating your boat. Be happy with what you put in your body and try not to obsess with the number next to the word “calorie.”
Staying healthy is important, but remember to show yourself some self-love, too!
Image Credit: Laura Zakaria/Sistahs of Strength/Giphy