How to Count Calories Easily and Lose Weight Fast

Counting calories is an essential part of losing weight. If you aren't counting calories, you don't have a guide to go by. It isn't hard to count calories if you use these tricks.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Use the Internet as your guide to calorie counting. There are free websites available online that will list how many calories in every piece of food you eat. Every restaurant has a nutrition guide as well, so no excuses. You can keep a notebook to write down what you eat, and then check online at the end of the day to see how many calories you ate.

2. Find out how many calories you actually need to lose weight. Most people need only about 2000 calories a day to maintain their current weight. To actually lose weight, you'll need to eat less. This is dependent on your current body weight, and it might be different for your body.

3. To find out how many calories you can eat in order to lose weight, start with a set number of calories. Say, 1,500 calories for a week. No weight loss? Lower your calories 100 to 200 at a time until you find the right amount that you start losing weight.

4. If you don't have time to measure your food, then buy prepackaged food that has the appropriate amount of calories that you need per day. Stores have individual meals prepared that you can put in your freezer, in boxes, etc. When you don't have time to count how many calories are in that big hunk of salad, or how many ounces of chicken you had for dinner, you should stick with this prepackaged food. The calories are listed directly on the box, all you have to do is add them up.

5. Water does help. Some people hate to hear this, it has been said a million times, but there is a reason for that. Water will wash out the water weight you already have, and can be an incredible boost on your self esteem, especially when you are just starting out.

6. Cut out any calories you can't count specifically. Some foods are still sold in packages without the calorie count listed on them. If you don't have time to look up the calories online, then skip eating those foods.

7. Protein, fiber, vegetables and fruits are better calories than breads, sweets, pastas, etc. It takes more energy to break down protein than it does say a piece of white bread. Switch out the 'easy to burn' calories for the 'harder to burn' calories.

Tips & Warnings

• Okay, it isn't fun to always eat prepared meals from boxes, but if you are having trouble counting calories as it is now, this step can make it easier, at least for a couple of weeks. This is especially helpful if you are trying to figure out how many calories you need to eat.
• Don't forget to eat a variety of food. Don't forget your fruits and vegetables.
• If you are concerned about lack of vitamins, try a vitamin supplement. It wouldn't hurt in any case to take one while you are dieting.
• Don't eat too few calories, at least not right away. Lowering your calorie count to something like 500 calories a day will make you super tired, not to mention prone to anorexia. You still need calories, you just need to find a balance that will let you lose weight, and still eat what you need.
• Talk to your doctor if after cutting back calories to less than 800 a day, and you are still not losing weight. In fact, it is better if you keep your doctor informed throughout your weight loss program. He or she can help you, provide tips, and prevent problems.