Why diets work

Calorie/macro nutrient management is the best, most effective way to lose weight. Most of you say counting calories is too much work.... 

OK that’s fine, although a little bit scary because it’s actually not that difficult and its really helpful and interesting once you get the hang of it. And most of all, it really helps with losing weight.

Anyway, so here are a few “diets” that will ensure you are in a calorie deficit without having to count calories and macros.

• Intermittent fasting: This is probably the most popular one at the moment. So the concept is basic, you can eat pretty much whatever you want but only during a specific period of time. The popular 16:8 method has you fasting for 16 hours per day and eating within an 8 hour time frame. This can be done by starting your fast at night, skipping breakfast and eating your first meal around lunchtime. So all in all what this does is allow for people to be in a calorie deficit everyday without counting a single calorie.

• Keto diet: Ketogenic is a term for a low carb diet. The idea is for you to get more calories from protein and fat and less from carbohydrates. So by cutting out a certain food group (carbohydrates) this will allow for a person to be in a calorie deficit easier without counting a single calorie.

• Paleo diet: This is a dietary plan based on foods similar to what might have been eaten during the paleolithic era which dates from 2.5million to 10,000 years ago. This diet includes lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds – foods that in the past could be obtained by hunting and gathering. A Paleo diet limits foods that became common when farming emerged about 10000 years ago. Foods include dairy products, legumes and grains. This diet helps with losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight without counting a single calorie.

• Carb cycling: This is a diet approach where you eat carbohydrates on days that you are active (Carbs refuel muscle glycogen which improves performance) and then days that you don't train or are less active you cut out carbohydrates (body burns fat as fuel). Carb cycling will help you lose weight and improve performance.

There are many more diets out there but the main goal of all these diets is to help you with staying in a calorie deficit whether it’s by cutting out certain food groups or limiting the amount of time you are allowed to eat.  The benefit is that you don’t have to count a single calorie. But I still recommend you count calories because at the end of the day it’s more sustainable seeing that you can eat when you want and you don’t have to cut out any food group. But if you would like to try one of these diets I am totally cool with that.