Why count calories?

Why count calories?

Should Public Schools start counting calories?

First of all what does Counting Calories have to do with School System?

They count Students, they count Days Attended, they count Dollars they get (or don't get) from us. They count Holidays, Snow Days (or other weather related Days), and a multitude of other things already.
So why count calories?

Because that is one way of monitoring food intake that almost anyone can understand and let's face it, we have a lot of overweight and out-of-shape kids today. So the President thinks our School Systems should be accountable for what they serve our children for lunch. I agree.
President Barack Obama has put child nutrition high on his administration's agenda, going so far as proposing to slash farm subsidies to increase spending on school lunches and other nutrition programs by $1 billion a year.


There are a lot of aspects to providing good nutrition such as Proper Labeling, Nutritional (Ingredients) Content, Calories per Serving, and of course the Cost per Serving that the School Systems have to consider. Plus the old adage "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink" applies. Just because healthy food is available doesn't mean the students will eat it. Personally, I think they ought to get rid of the Vending Machines in public schools.

But this article isn't about the Public School Systems or the upcoming legislation.

It's about Counting Calories, and, getting the right TYPE of calories in your diet.

Is counting calories worth the effort?

Almost every viable diet system incorporates "counting calories" in some form so it does work. It is one of the oldest diet "tools" around.

Well, it works for those that really want to improve their health and are willing to stick to a program.
Let's face the facts folks; most people in the USA (including our children) are overweight, at least to some degree. And a huge number of us would like to loose some weight, we would like to feel and look better.
There must be hundreds of Plans and Programs all claiming to be the best "Weight Loss" or "Get In Shape" solution available and they all want your money. The fact is, if you really want to loose weight, one of those programs WILL work for you.
You do want to be careful though. The "Eat Nothing But Twinkies For Two Months and Loose Weight" diet may sound appealing but definitely does not sound healthy. I would suggest that you, after having chosen a program or plan, you discuss your plan and goals with your Doctor.

Every single Human Being is unique, no two of us are completely alike, and that includes twins. Because of that fact no one diet plan or program is going to be perfect for everyone. There are some that allow for Individual Customization though.
Plans that offer "on-going" support and guidance are the ones that folks seem to have the most success with. Some like to share their experiences (and concerns) with others or with an actual person in the form of a counselor or guide. Others prefer to keep it to themselves and will gravitate to a program that they can personally check daily without having to confer with another person. Plus there are plans that incorporate both features.


So, it comes down to which type of person you are.

Personally I am the second type. Although I do check with my Doctor I certainly don't visit her for counseling once a week or so to discuss the loss (or gain) of a few pounds, especially at $92 a visit. As a result I found a "computer resident" program that helps me do what I need to do... determine the number of calories I should take in for my weight and life-style. It is called "The Weight Loss Oracle" and I think I might actually loose those 30 pounds my Doctor keeps telling me to loose.


My Sister-in-Law on the other hand needs constant reinforcement. She likes to get feedback on just about everything she does. She joined Weight Loss For Idiots two weeks ago and so far says she is really pleased with it. I hope it works for her because she needs to loose a LOT more than just 30 pounds. * If she sees this article I am going to be in BIG (literally) trouble.


So, counting calories along with tasty menus and a support system is a workable system BUT...
You first need to figure out how many calories you require to maintain a stable and healthy weight. For both sexes there is a general guideline to go by. For example, females require approximately 2000 calories on a daily basis while males require more (an estimated 2500 calories per day). Keep in mind that other important considerations are your build, your height, and how much muscle you have on your body when you first start the calorie counting plan.
Once you have this figured out, you can then devise a plan that is appropriate for you. Let's look at a concrete example of this:
If you take in 500 calories less than what you require on a daily basis, then your weight loss will be roughly one pound a week. If you increase this to bringing in less than 1,000 calories then you will lose an average of two pounds weekly. Sound good?
Why does this work so well? If you want to lose weight quickly, then you want to consume fewer calories, than you need to, in order that your body will then need to turn to your fat stores to make up the difference. The main concern is that you take in enough calories to maintain an acceptable level of health and energy for your lifestyle while staying below the required estimated calories.


*** The real key to making "calorie counting" work is to choose the right foods to maintain proper Nutrition for the total calories you are taking in. If you are only counting calories and not looking at the other aspects of your diet you may end up loosing weight BUT at the sacrifice of your health. Obviously 400 calories from Twinkies and 400 calories from fresh Broccoli or Bananas are going to have a different effect on your health. I take a liquid supplement because even the "fresh" produce I buy from the local grocery stores doesn't have all the vitamins, minerals, and trace elements my body needs. I also am ordering another product (in seed form) to supplement my diet and I'll let you know how that progresses in an up-coming article. Hint: It grows green hair on Homer Simpson's bald head.

Counting calories is one part of a health routine that is easy to understand and implement. It, along with a wise exercise program and intelligent choices as to which form the calories come in (in other words Healthy food) can lead to sustained weight loss.

Your responsibility now is to do your own research in respects to which foods you need to intake, what is available locally, what is available on-line, and of course always check with your own Doctor that the plan of action you choose is safe.

Also the odds are if you are overweight so is your child. Perhaps if YOU start eating healthier, if YOU start making wiser choices at the table it will be easier for your child to do the same.

Layard


PS,

Although this free download has nothing to do with Nutrician or Weight Loss directly I think everone can benefit from it in some way.

It is titled "I Can Therefore I Will".

Right Click http://mindfarms.com/freebies/IcanIwill.pdf and save to your computer.