Calorie Counting and Long Term Weight Loss 

So how do you ensure that all the work you've done to lose the weight is maintained so easily? One of the best ways to long term weight loss is to reduce your calorie count per day by an average 500 calories.

Doing it this way will ensure that you will lose on average 1 pound of fat per week. Those people you hear saying they have lost 5 pounds in 1 week. No way! It's just not possible unless they're eating nothing and spending a week in the gym non-stop.

The fact is that some people have never grasped the fact that it is the fat you need to lose that ensures the long term weight loss. If you don't lose the fat it's still there on the body in some way, shape or form.

Yes you can lose 5 pounds in one week from water loss, but water is not fat and it is the fat that is the important aspect when it comes to weight loss.  

You will know when you have lost fat. Your skin will get tighter and reveal more muscle, your clothes may fit better and you will have additional energy. To ensure accuracy of your long term weight loss it may be easier in the short term to calorie count.

Calorie counting is one of the best ways to know exactly how many calories you are taking in per day. For example if you normally eat 2000 calories, reduce your calorie count by 500 per day and in a week you will have lost 1 pound. When calorie counting you will know exactly the number of calories taken in per day and it is easier to reduce 500.

Try it for a month until you start to see results and then you may naturally find that you are turning to more healthy foods and your portion sizes may reduce because of the fat loss. Cutting 500 calories per day will ensure a fat loss of 1 pound per week.  

Also it may be helpful to keep a diary of results or even write down what you are eating per day. If you fancy eating a bit of junk food if you write it down it may take the craving away. Is it really worth adding all those calories to your body when you have already worked so hard to shed those pounds? As I said before 80% of the time your diet should be healthy and  20% of the time you can afford to be a little naughty with your diet.  

Set yourself goals. When you reach a goal or a certain weight loss, treat yourself. It doesn't always have to be something high in calories it could be an item of clothing which you now fit into because you've shed your weight or treat yourself to a glass of wine or whatever takes your fancy. There are always other ways to put that smile on your face.