Counting calories helps me keep track of real weight gain and loss

I know I have gained one quarter of a pound during Ramadan, not by looking at the scale—the scale says I have either gained three pounds or lost three pounds, depending on when I weigh myself. But I know I have gained one quarter of a pound because I have monitored the extra calories that I ate. There were several nights during Ramadan when I went over my daily budget of calories, which accounted for a total of 1000 calories extra. Since 3500 calories is equivalent to one pound of real fat, 1000 accounts for a little more than one forth.

I talked in another post about the importance of counting calories daily for some of us who have a tendency to overeat. Another benefit of counting calories is that it helps me monitor real weight gain and loss.

Water retention and water release accounts for most of the weight fluctuations we see on the scale from day to day. That is why some people say that it is better to weigh yourself once a week rather than every day.

Although I weigh myself every day, I don't freak out when I see major weight gain, nor do I rejoice when I see weight loss, because I know it is due mostly to water fluctuations as a result of the kinds of foods I have eaten during the past day and the kinds of exercises I have done.

However, because I count calories every single day, I know when I have a calorie deficit which results in weight loss, and a calorie surplus which results in weight gain. I know when I have gained weight even though the scale says that I lost weight, and I know when I have really lost weight, even though the scale says that I gained weight.

I know that a deficit of 3500 calories means losing one pound and vice-versa. I have monitored this for 13 years and I can swear by it.

I deal with calories like I deal with money, and the checkbook always balances

If you want to stay out of debt, you have to monitor your spending always, not just occasionally, and if you go on a spending spree, you can't expect that it will go unnoticed by your credit card. Also if you spend just a little too much every day, the debt can pile up without you noticing.

The same is true for eating. If you binge one day, you can't expect that it will go unnoticed by your body, and if you eat a little too much every day, the weight can pile up without you noticing.