Comments on: Counting Calories – Not As Simple As You Think

By: Josh

Josh — Tue, 07 Nov 2017 00:59:04 +0000

DO NOT DO THIS. This approach is both statistically unsound and chronically unhealthy. The thing about error (without skew or bias, which you’re not identifying here as a problem) is that the probability of an expected 540 kcal Big Mac being 600 (+60 error) is equal to it being 480 kcal (-60 error). So the probability of gaining weight over time is equal to that of losing weight, and over a long enough period of time there’s an increasing probability that these errors converge to zero.

In other words, by advising people to chronically overestimate their calorie count (say, by shaving off 10% per portion), it certainly is possible that they will achieve their goal. But it’s just as likely that they will come in 20% short of their expected goal over time. Most likely, the average dieter will just come in 10% short. Maybe this outcome is desirable for some (i.e., more weight loss than expected), but in full disclosure you really should make you make your readers aware of this possibility.

By: Alan

Alan — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 23:34:09 +0000

Just started the “Extreme Fast Loss” 1-week 800-calorie regime. It’s nice to have this in mind for the future. I won’t go nuts over it, but it’s definitely a nice heads-up.

Thanks.

By: admin

admin — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 20:29:50 +0000

In reply to Dave – Not Your Average Fitness Tips.

Dave,
I agree, burning calories from exercise is pretty overrated especially on workout machines like treadmills and elliptical where the count can be incredibly inaccurate.

By: Dave - Not Your Average Fitness Tips

Dave - Not Your Average Fitness Tips — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:38:30 +0000

Completely agree about counting calories; it’s not as easy as everyone makes it out to be. Portion sizes are generally not standardized and it’s hard to know if you’re eating 4oz of meat or 5oz. Estimates can easily be off by 10-20% per day. I like your conservative methodology to calculating calories. The other variable could be to assume you don’t burn any calories from exercise.

By: admin

admin — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 00:16:54 +0000

In reply to Sean Dugan-Strout.

Sean,
I agree with you. Adopting the MJ would probably simplify things, but people have been using calories for so long that I don’t think they’re ready for such a big change lol.

By: Sean Dugan-Strout

Sean Dugan-Strout — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 20:26:22 +0000

I like Brad Pilon’s energy adoption, the MJ! Good post for all the calorie counters.

http://bradpilon.com/weight-loss/could-the-megajoule-save-dieting/