The Truth About Calories: Why Cutting Calories Alone Won't Help You Lose Weight

Like most people, you probably think the key to losing weight is simple: cut out calories, and voila! The pounds will start melting! Unfortunately, things aren't quite that simple. Cutting calories is one of the worst things you can do. Here's why. 

Cutting Calories Slows Down Your Metabolism

When you cut calories, your body goes into 'survival mode.' It thinks it's starving, so it starts to hold on to every calorie it can get its hands on. This process is known as 'metabolic adaptation.' 

As your metabolism adapts, it becomes more efficient at holding on to fat and burning less energy (calories). In other words, your body starts to work against you instead of with you. 

Cutting Calories Leads to Muscle Loss (Not Fat Loss) 

Another problem with cutting calories is that when you lose weight, you lose muscle and fat. And since muscle burns more calories than fat, this further slows your metabolism. 

So not only will it be harder to lose weight in the future, but it'll also be harder to keep the weight off once you lose it. 

The bottom line is this: if you want to lose weight and keep it off, then cutting calories is not the way to go about it. 

Instead, focus on eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise. 

These two things will make the most significant difference in your weight—not counting calories.