If you’re trying to lose or gain weight, it’s important to have an idea of how much you’re eating each day. For those who have never tried to monitor their portions before, this can be a struggle. There are many calorie databases available on the internet, like MyFitnessPal, that can be easily synced with the Sworkit app!
What is MyFitnessPal?
MyFitnessPal is both an app and a website where users can track calories and meet fitness goals. When you make an account, you can input your daily calorie goal, your starting weight, and your goal weight. MFP also provides rough estimates of your required macronutrients for the day based on your weight goals, height, and gender.
MyFitnessPal has a database of both exercises and food. If you prepare a lot of meals yourself, you can add a custom food under the ‘My Foods’ tab. You also have the option to share your recipes with other MFP users.
Why Should I Count Calories?
Many people who don’t track their calories don’t realize how much they’re really eating. For example, even a small piece of cake can quickly rack up 400 calories or more. Dessert after a meal is perfectly reasonable, but a lack of knowledge about a food’s caloric content can derail your diet.
However, if you’ve counted the calories of a meal after you’ve eaten, you’ll know how many you need to burn. Numerous studies have shown that counting calories is one of the best ways to lose or gain weight effectively. According to a recent report, weight loss programs that use calorie counting are successful compared to others.
How Many Calories Do I Need per Day?
The number of calories you need per day will depend on your fitness goals. If you want to gain weight, you’ll likely need to eat upwards of 3,000 calories, which makes up one pound of body fat. For weight loss, your net calorie intake has to be lower than the number of calories you eat per day.
People usually aim between 1,500 to 1,700 calories a day when trying to lose weight. However, each person’s body and metabolism is different. For example, a 4’10 woman can subsist on far fewer calories than a 6-foot-tall man.
Different Types of Calories
It’s also important to take note of the different kinds of foods you eat in a day. In terms of numbers on the scale, the saying “a calorie is a calorie” is usually true. However, you can’t have a healthy diet if it’s only full of low-calorie, low-fat foods.
Consuming too few calories can make you retain water or cause your weight to plateau. High-carb diets can also be a problem because carbohydrates are burned faster once consumed. On the other hand, filling protein- or fat-rich foods will keep you full for longer.
Can I Meet My Fitness Goals Without Counting Calories?
We understand calorie counting is overwhelming for some people.
Fortunately, you can still control your weight without calorie counting by measuring and weighing your food. For weight loss, you can measure the amount of food you usually eat, then take some portion of it away. Eating off smaller or bigger plates can also help some people with portion control.
Using MyFitnessPal with Sworkit
If you’re ready to start counting calories, syncing MyFitnessPal with Sworkit is easy! MFP is already listed under Sworkit’s Connected apps, so it only takes a second to integrate the two.
Calorie counting may not be the best solution for everyone, but it’s worth trying if you’re not seeing your desired results. In addition to calories, food labels also show us the nutrient content of everything we eat. Giving your body the right fuel it needs will help you reach and maintain your goal weight successfully!
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