How Many Calories You Should Be Eating

Let’s get really clear:

CALORIES MATTER.

Almost daily, I see media stories that promote the idea that you can eat whatever you want, as long as you include or avoid certain foods or food groups. The messages often suggest that you can eat until you’re full and follow your intuition when it comes to what your body wants or needs.

But in my experience in working with women, most often if we follow what we “want” we’d end up eating chocolate, wine, and sweets most of the time. Is this true for you? It’s rare that I meet a woman who is eating exactly what her body needs, without cravings or hunger that lead to foods high in fat or sugar.

In truth, if left unchecked, most of us crave fat and sugar more than cruciferous vegetables and lean proteins.

If you are happy with the current status of your body (weight body, body composition, energy, vitality) eating intuitively is a fantastic goal. However, if you have specific goals that you want to reach, calories matter. And paying attention to them can help you reach your goals faster and easier.

Now, if you simply want to enjoy life and eat without restriction, you can get away with disregarding calories. Just know that you might end up with a bit more body fat, lagging energy, or food cravings. And that’s totally fine, if you’re totally fine with that.

The problem I’ve been seeing is that women try to eat intuitively, but then are frustrated when they don’t reach their goal. They believe that they can eat whatever they want as long as they workout. They want to eat intuitively and without restriction, but then are unhappy because they can’t lose weight.

If you struggle with fatigue and stamina, calories matter.

If your goal is to lose weight, calories REALLY matter.

If you want to perform better at your sport or during workouts, calories provide fuel (carbohydrates), the building blocks of repair (protein), and the resource for producing important hormones (fat).

If you are not happy with the current status of your body, I encourage you to consider taking a few weeks to observe and learn how to structure and supervise the calories that you’re eating. After all, your body is a super sophisticated machine that needs intelligent fuel in order for it run optimally. Getting smart about your calories will give you an edge in achieving the exact goals you have for yourself.

To learn how many calories to eat each day for your goal, check out the video below!

I’ve got more to share with you in the video below. Click below to check it out…

Women’s Strength Nation is committed to improving the ratio of women to men strength training around the world. You can Join the Movement by sharing your thoughts and questions below. Your thoughts and ideas may help another woman’s journey. Please join the conversation and leave a comment below!

And lastly,

Today’s #Strengthspo

“It’s never too late to become what you might have been.” ~ George Elliot

Stay strong, friend.

7 replies
  1. Suzanne Fabick
    Suzanne Fabick says:

    Thank you so much Holly!!!
    I am quite active and in shape but your book Lift to get lean is excellent and I even brought it to the gym with me today!!!
    Suzanne

    Reply
    • Admin
      Admin says:

      You are so welcome Suzanne!

      Makes me so happy that you are taking your book with you to the gym =)

      Stay strong!

      Reply

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