Some of us have to count calories every single day

I think some of us have to count calories every day of our lives

I have been counting how many calories I eat every single day for the last 13 years.

I think, for some of us, our bodies don't know how to count calories on their own. We have a tendency to overeat while not even knowing that we are overeating. That is because our bodies don't know instinctively when they have gotten enough calories.

Counting calories was difficult at first because I needed to research every kind of food I ate based on quantity, but then it became second nature.

If I walk for an hour a day I allow myself an extra 200 calories, since walking burns 300 calories, 100 of which I would have burned anyway in an hour by just sitting down. These calculations are based on my body weight (110 pounds). If you are heavier you will burn more because you are carrying more.

My daily allowance is 1300 calories. If I want to lose weight, there should be a daily deficit.

If one day I go over budget, I deduct the extra calories from my allowance the next day so that it equals out.

At first, I used to count calories using pen and paper, but since I have done it thousands of times, I can now make the calculations quickly in my mind.

I know I have to continue to count calories everyday for the rest of my life. I know that I will have to reduce my allowance as I grow older.

I am grateful, though, that I have become fit enough to workout rigorously without getting tired, therefore I am able to burn more calories easily.