I hear and see the word calorie several times a day, and it could be because I’m more concerned about my health and weight, I can’t seem to get away from that word. I see it on labels, on the back of food packages, in my diet plan and even in the fitness center. So what’s the deal with calories, health and weight loss?

Calorie is a word coined from the Latin word “calor”, meaning heat.  It is a word used in measuring energy.  In terms of nutrition, calorie refers to the amount of energy you take in from food for activity.  Since it is energy in itself, you know that you really need it to function well, right?  You take in calories, but remember that you have to be in control of what you take in, because it is highly possible that you may be taking in more than you burn, which may lead to an increase in your weight.

Calories are the thing to count in losing weight.  You have to keep in mind that if you want to lose weight, you have to be conscious about what you take in, and the activities you do to burn it off.  Counting calories is also a great way of minimizing your risks of being overweight, and having weight-related illnesses such as heart attack, osteoarthritis, stroke, and diabetes.  You have to be equally aware of taking calories from healthy and nutritious food.  This way, you don’t miss out on what your body really needs to function effectively. 

When you take in calories, you also have to remember to control what you take in. I found out the hard way, that I was taking in more calories than I was burning which caused me to put on more weight.