When it comes to fat loss, the manipulation of calories is above all else, the most powerful weapon we have.
Yes, carbs, fats and proteins matter, as does getting your sleep in order and managing your hormones to allow you body to function optimally.
However it is calories that matter the most.
So how many should you eat?
There are loads of calculators online to help with this.
All of which will help you estimate your Basal Metabolic Rate.
This however will only give you the amount of calories you burn if you do absolutely NO movement.
So for the Triathlete it is not enough information but a good starting point.
It is why calorie counting sometimes gets a bad press – because it is hard to be accurate, both in terms of food consumed and energy burnt.
For example, I have regularly burnt in excess of 1000+ calories a day according to my heart rate monitor and maybe sometimes only ate 1800, so theoretically I would waste away very quickly.
And……
I didn’t!
The issue then is that I probably am not burning as much as I think and I am probably consuming more.
So how do you know what to do?
Firstly, use a formula which takes in to account your level of training.
From there it is about tracking calories through things like my fitness pal.
Depending on where you are in your journey and your knowledge, this is fundamental.
It helps you realise how many calories are in what.
Then, it is about eating real food but also food that suits you.
All this information is in my e-book – The Triathlete Nutrition Code:
The book is written to help you set up the perfect diet for you.
That starts with a formula which takes into account your training to help you set calories.
Then it helps you decide how many carbs. proteins and fats you need to suit your physiology.
Then its a matter of eating the right foods and there are loads of recipes in there to guide you on your way.
If you follow the system laid down in there, you CAN NOT FAIL!
Simple as that.
So go and get it now:
Jamie “Calories Matter” Leighton