With the plethora of calorie counting apps now available for your smartphone, ipad, laptop, etc., it’s easy to get obsessed with documenting every little bite that passes your lips.

There really is no need.

Counting calories to help you lose weight and maintain your weight can be done quickly and easily using the best tool available – your brain!

Once you begin to know the caloric value of certain foods (for example, two slices of whole wheat bread equals 200 calories), you can plan ahead and find out approximately how many calories per meal you can consume.

Calories (or its proper name, kilocalories) are best viewed as potential energy for the body.

It is found in everything we eat, from a carrot to a piece of chocolate cake (sadly!)

Depending on the amount of protein, carbohydrates, sugar, fat, water, etc. that is in a food, controls how many calories it will have.

For example, an apple has about 100 calories, while two glasses of wine have about 300 calories, and a 2.8 oz (80 g) Snickers candy bar has almost 400 calories, almost ¼ of the total calories for the day! !

Basically, the more calories you eat each day, the more you need to exercise and move to burn them. By consuming the recommended amount of calories that is appropriate for your body every day and combining this eating plan with

Regular exercise means that you will maintain a healthy body weight.

It really is as simple as that.

By eating fewer calories, you will lose weight.

Simple.

However, eating fewer calories does not mean that food has to be boring or bland. There are always low-fat alternatives to your favorite foods (yes, this includes pizza and fish and chips!)

Depending on your age, gender, weight, lifestyle, etc., determine how many calories you should consume per day.

This table describes the correct number of calories based on a person’s weight:

It depends on your age, gender, weight, and whether or not you exercise regularly. This table describes the average number of calories that different groups of people should consume each day:

Weight – Woman – Man

50 kg / 100 pounds – 1,680 calories – 1,830 calories

60 kg / 132 pounds – 1,800 calories – 2,000 calories

70 kg / 154 pounds – 1,920 calories – 2,170 calories

80 kg / 176 pounds – 2,040 calories – 2,350 calories

90 kg / 198 pounds – 2,155 calories – 2,520 calories

100 kg / 220 pounds – 2270 calories – 2690 calories

By eating right and exercising 4-5 times a week you will be lean, happy and full of energy.

Imagine for a minute, how different would your life be if you could lose weight? You would sleep better than ever, you would be able to keep up with your children and grandchildren, you would enjoy getting outdoors more regularly, and you would have the energy to feel good day after day. It would not be good?

So, what are you waiting for? With just a few simple changes to your diet and an easy calorie count, you’ll be feeling fit and well in no time. Your new body and positive mindset are just around the corner.