Hey guys- don’t forget to check out Natalie’s Charity Bake sale for cancer! There are tons of delicious looking goodies up for auction. I have a batch of my Glo Bars up for grabs open to Canadians!
Also, check out Green Monster Movement! I was up late last night adding new reader submissions! Lots more to come. The Amazing Grass giveaway is running until Thursday.
~~~~~~~
Calorie Counting: Is It A Universal Rule?
Yesterday, Jillian Michaels was on The Doctors talking about metabolism. I only caught a few minutes of the show, but something I overheard really made me cringe.
Jillian said, “You HAVE to count calories. I don’t care how healthy you are eating. It’s a universal rule.”
WOW. That is one loaded statement!
I must say her comment made my blood boil a bit. It is a universal rule that you have to count calories to lose or maintain your weight?! I’m sorry, but I simply don’t agree.
I do think that counting calories is beneficial for many people. It helps people understand portion sizes and gives them a guideline for how much energy their body might need. On the other hand, calorie counting can become an obsession and a source of preoccupation that distracts us from the big picture.
I realize that her primary target is the typical overweight individual who probably doesn’t have much knowledge about calories, nutrition, and portion sizes, but what about all of the people who are on the extreme end of the spectrum with disordered eating? Do they now feel like they shouldn’t stop counting calories even though it might be driving them crazy?
In my opinion, calorie counting is NOT a universal rule, even though at one point in my life if you would have asked me I would have told you I could never picture myself giving it up. For my personality, calorie counting didn’t work because it was all-consuming. Soon eating wasn’t about how hungry I was, but how many calories I had ‘left’ for that meal.
Now that I have come out on the other side where I do not count calories, I think it is totally possible to eat healthy without counting and maintain one’s weight. I am living proof and I know many others who have learned to stop counting calories too! I actually think for me, it was harder to NOT count calories and lose/maintain weight because it meant that I had to really listen to my hunger cues and body signals and actually be in touch with my body for once. Calorie counting isn’t going to work for everyone. It obviously depends on the person.
I think somewhere along the line, our society has missed the big picture.
Instead of telling people that they must count calories to lose weight, it is perhaps better to ask WHY people feel the need to count every calorie that goes into their mouth. The obsession with calorie counting is growing, while our society gets heavier, heavier, and heavier…
What we need to do is get back to the basics with our health. We need to stop micro-managing and start looking at the bigger picture of health. Eating whole, unprocessed foods that make us glow. Sweating a few times a week. Being good to ourselves.
Calorie counting can be a useful tool, but it can also mask and divert our attention away from our overall picture of health.
~~~~~~
What are your thoughts about Jillian’s comment?
See you later for a SGBC contest giveaway!
I completely agree with you and think that Jillian’s comment, although true for some part of the population, is generalizing to the extreme. I know that I can lose weight by watching my portion sizes and making better choices, as well as keeping up with exercise.
Counting calories can lead to obsessiveness that is not healthy for individuals, and doesn’t teach you how to listen to your hunger or satiety cues.
I wonder what Bob thinks?
Angela I do see where you are coming from. The fact is that there is NO universal rule that applies to everyone about anything, right?! Many people have lost many pounds many different ways because what works for one, never is the answer for everyone. The same goes for not counting calories – not for everyone.
While I didn’t see her on The Doctors, I follow her, read her books, listen to her podcast and I know what she is about. It is pretty darn hard to boil down all of the science that goes into our metabolism into one universal statement and maybe she was wrong to try because that statement does not fairly represent what she believes and what she has researched at all. Maybe she didn’t feel the need to give the comment context because she has already done so much of that through her books, her site and her podcasts? Her bad?
Personally, as a girl who has lost 120 lbs at present, it had to be an equation for me to “learn how” to eat as my body should. I stopped counting and my weight loss stalled. Even after all of that learning to lose that much weight, I still wasn’t “listening” to my hunger signals even though I am still trying. I’ve read “Intuitive Eating” and it all sounded so perfect “if i could just get there” ya know? I WILL get there some day and I appreciate you saying how long it took you, it goes to show you how much of a process it truly is to not have to count. I think in reality, people like JM try boil it down to a “fail proof” science like counting because there’s no mental work that goes into that part. The mental work is your own porogative.
wow, I couldn’t agree with you more. Universal is a very strong word, and I don’t believe it should have been used. Like you said calorie counting can be a great tool in the beginning or if someone is training for a very specific athletic goal, but in the overall picture of health it can be quite debilitating. I used to count calories when I first got interested in nutrition because it is very interesting, but it kind of spiraled into being overbearing and not healthful. I don’t count calories now, but try to listen to myself. I like to keep an overall picture of what I’ve been eating without getting specific and caught up if I eat more one day vs. the next. It’s all about balance and health!
I couldn’t agree with you more, or disagree with Jillian less. Calorie counting has become a nation-wide obsession. I think that it may help short-term with some individuals when they are just beginning a transition into a healthier way of eating, but in the long run, constantly counting calories and tracking numbers is NOT healthy, physically or mentally.
I developed an eating disorder at age twelve just a few years ago and I believe that part of it stemmed from hearing so much talk about “calorie-restriction” and “low-calorie” diets being best for weight loss, etc. etc. Needless to say, I think that calorie counting causes more problems than it fixes. I still count calories out of habit (and fear that I will relapse back into ED if I start losing weight on accident again from eating too little), but I desperatley wish that I could stop. Do you have any tips for me?
It is tough to stop, especially if you were as obsessed with counting as I was. I had to start small. As in, I wouldn’t let myself count the calories for a meal like breakfast. I was obsessed with measuring portions so I started with that and figured I now could just ‘eye ball’ my portions. It wasn’t practical for me to measure my food for the rest of my life. So I started small…it was hard and I was worried that I would be eating too much, but that was more of the obsession talking than anything. So I would not count breakfast…but then old habits die hard and I might count lunch and dinner and ‘estimate’ breakfast. Gradually, it got easier to the point where I didn’t have a running tally in my head. Sometimes I would go to count what I had eaten and have to physically redirect my attention elsewhere and distract myself. I also think a renewed focus on nutrition has helped divert my focus onto something else. Some people may think that an interest in nutrition is simply the obsession in another outlet or form, but you have to judge that based on how you feel. I have never been happier since I gave up counting and that is how I know it is working. Everyone will be different. ~A
I think that you all have found a great way to eat and stay fit…however, I think, as others have said, that she is trying to make a point about creating a calorie deficit.
The bottom line is, it’s calories in vs. calories out–not how many carbs you cut out of your diet or how much protein you fill your plates and shakes with. If you want to lose weight, you need to cut your calories and exercise.
That’s all. If you are in a happy place and have lost weight/feel good at your weight–then you don’t need to count calories. However, for those of who want to lose a few pounds, I think it’s common knowledge that we need to pay attention to what’s going into our mouths. Yah, I’m exercising like crazy, but if I’m balancing that out by eating a whole pizza then I’m not going to lose weight.
I went through a stage where I was obsessed with calories and I was completely miserable. I went to France and freaked out because most of the labels didn’t have calories. It was liberating. I started to eat a wider variety of foods, glow a little more, and didn’t pack on the pounds like I thought I would!
It’s hard to say – people who are really over weight often need that guidance. Calories in vs. Calories out is often a really helpful tool for them because they just have NO concept of what’s going into their bodies.
The hope (I believe) is that eventually they’ll reach a point where they no longer need to count and can rather focus on whole foods and balanced food groups.
I really dislike calorie counting myself and am lucky that it’s not something I need to focus on…but in Jillian’s defense, I guess I can see how it can help these people to be informed. Maybe not calorie COUNTING but calorie AWARENESS would be the ultimate thing to achieve?
Great topic Angela – loved it! :)
Wow, there seem to be a lot of great comments on here that I can’t wait to read through…
I’m a little conflicted about Jillian’s comments, because I guess I can see validity to them if I think if it this way: maybe calorie counting should be a universal rule of a VERY LIMITED AUDIENCE – i.e. her audience of people who are significantly overweight, or whose only ED is binge eating, or people who are very uneducated about health and nutrition. In that case, I do think people need to count calories, or do some sort of tracking like that, in order to get started with weight loss. Otherwise, building knowledge and awareness (without “counting”) is leaving out a pretty big component of nutrition.
But what happens when women who don’t fall into that category listen to Jillian talk about a universal rule? Yeah, I think that’s a bit dangerous, for all the reasons you laid out.
I don’t know if I’ve said anything different than everyone else – gonna go read now! Thanks for a great topic!
Hey there! I am currently on a weight loss journey and am following the clean eat diet that doesn’t endorse “counting calories” It was strange for me at first not knowing exactly how many calories I was taking in each day. I actually checked just out of curiosity cause I had no idea..lol
But I can’t tell you how great it is not to have to be consumed by that almighty number any longer!
What a fantastic post! I heart your blog!! :D :D
I’ve calorie counted before – it can be awful. I was miserable!!
I totally agree with you. Thanks again for spreading the word!
I know Jillian is famous for her “tough love” approach, but blanket statements like that just make her sound unqualified. Yes, if you are trying to lose weight, calorie-counting is one option. However, it’s not the only option and it’s NOT a requirement, as she implied. Glaringly, she failed to mention that taking it too far can have very serious consequences. But then, this is an example of why I’m not a fan — her “tough love” statements feel so sales-gimmicky, instead of as coming from a thoughtful, seasoned field expert.
Wow…this is exactly the kind of post I would write. Love it! I hate blanket statements about what you “have” to do to lose weight or be healthy. I’m sorry Jillian, but I’m pretty sure my life and lifestyle demand a different approach than yours.
Counting calories makes me crazy and obsessive about everything that goes into my mouth. Why would I do that to myself when I can eat real, wholesome food and pay attention to what my body tells me?
What a timely post. Couldn’t agree with you more, Angela.
I just began outlining some principles over at my blog that I’ve adapted to naturally…because they work for me.
Two months ago, I was married to The Daily Plate over on Livestrong.com. Don’t get me wrong, that’s a great tool, but I was consumed. I had access to it on my phone, at work, at home, and would find myself “saving up” my calories so I could have a greasy fatty binge-fest at the end of the day. How is that good for you? It’s not.
Since I’ve given up calorie counting, I’ve never felt cleaner. Period!
I can’t believe Jillian said that! :( I completely agree with you Angela!
I wish I could say that I completely agree like most everyone else but I don’t. I find a lot of the people who don’t count calories now did at some point to lose the weight they wanted to. I agree that we need to get back down to the basics of eating whole unprocessed foods and look at health in the bigger picture but just because counting calories makes some people obsessive doesn’t mean it will for all.
Counting calories isn’t universal but, like you said, it’s a great way to understand portion control and get a handle of what you are putting into your body. Counting calories doesn’t equal poor food choices.
It’s easy to say that people should just pay attention to their hunger signals and focus on intuitive eating when you’re already there but when you’re not there yet there and have 80+ pounds to lose you need to find what works for you.
I think it really depends on what your goals are and what stage you’re at on your journey to health. Calorie counters are great tools if you’re looking to lose weight. However, it is easy to get obsessed about it and take it to the extreme – often having a negative impact on your health. I agree with calorie counting – in moderation – like everything else!
Diana
wow…where do i even start about that comment? i despise the concept of calories with a passion. i think it only leads to obsession and an unhealthy view of food. we don’t need numbers when it comes to health, we need intuition and knowledge. i don’t agree with jillian one bit on this one. i wish calories didn’t even exist. people get far too wrapped up in them. since when did these numbers (which is all calories really are, in my opinion) assigned to food become so many people’s deciding factor when it comes to what to eat? we should listen to what our bodies want, not deprive ourselves based on calories. i agree with everything you said, angela. jillian michaels…i’m so disturbed!
I totally agree with you, Angela. Calorie counting is NOT a Universal Rule. For me, it was a very dangerous psychological game I’d play. I was an active anorexic for YEARS and you can bet that I counted every little calorie that went in and if I felt particularly guilty when my intake would hover around, or God forbid, over 1000 calories, I exercised until I was sure they were all burned off. I continued with calorie counting throughout my recovery and it wasn’t until I stopped counting that the destructive and disturbing thoughts would go away. Now I focus on eating whole, unprocessed foods 80% of the time and spoil myself 20% of the time. I also workout 4-6 days a week and focus on making myself stronger–not thinner. I hover around 120-125lbs (I’m 5″5) effortlessly. And the most beautiful thing? This has been the first time that I actually love and appreciate myself.
Yes, calorie counting can be beneficial to those who are just beginning to change their lifestyle for the better but for those out there like me who count calories out of habit, compulsion, and do it obsessively, should NOT embrace this “universal rule”. Total BS. I’m a little saddened that someone like Jillian Michaels would be so narrow-minded.
Moderation is key. Not calorie counting.
I have to say that I don’t believe that calorie counting is a “universal rule” but I also don’t believe it to be as bad as some people make it out to be. For some people, like myself, it is a very helpful tool. I have been doing it for two years to help maintain my weight. It keeps me honest with myself about what I eat. I do agree that some people can become completely obsessed with it, but there are others that aren’t obsessed, but more use it as a tool. It seems that most people think it is this horrible thing and completely unnecessary. I just wanted to comment on the positive side and say how helpful it is to me.
I also saw this episode by accident actually & yes she did say that. Jillian spends a great deal of time working with the obese who really need some concept of what they are eating. In that instance, I absolutely feel it’s necessary.
But part of the show too (right after she said that) was showing what portion sizes are in comparison to things like a couple dice (for an ounce of cheese), deck of cards (for 3 oz of meat), etc, etc, etc. I think that she “implied” that you can loosely guide your days by using those comparisons rather than toting around a food scale, etc.
You can lose weight without counting calories & even Weight Watchers has a program (formerly called Core) where you can lose (I’ve done it & eat that way now) without counting. You still have to be conscious of portions but nothing extreme.
If you eat whole, unprocessed foods, you can drop the weight without counting. I did it & dropped a significant amount of weight doing so.
Sorry for the ramble! lol