4 reasons why weight loss is more than calorie counting

You've probably heard that weight is all about calories in, versus calories out. The idea is that you're bound to see the numbers on the scale drop if you burn more calories than you eat, right? Well, it’s not that simple. The fact is that this theory only addresses one piece of the puzzle. Weight isn't just determined by the number of calories you eat. It also has to do with how they are absorbed by your body. 

And that’s where Found can help. Our members lose, on average, 10% of their body weight by month 6. We take a science-backed approach to weight care that considers lifestyle factors, your biology and medication needs to develop a plan that will help you reach your goals. It’s a 360 approach compared to the old-school view of what leads to lasting weight loss. Our quick, personal health quiz can get you started. 

Here are four reasons why weight loss is more than calories in and calories out:

1. Not all calories are created equal.

Are 100 calories of broccoli the same as 100 calories of Cheez-It crackers? Not exactly, and here's why: All foods are made up of macronutrients—meaning protein, fat, and carbs. Your weight will fluctuate when you consume too much or too little of each macro, even if the calorie count remains the same. That’s because carbs, proteins, and fats are all converted into energy at different rates.

For example, refined or "fast carbs" (like bread, cookies, and cake) take the least amount of energy for your body to burn as fuel, so consuming too many of them can lead to excess weight gain and a slower metabolism. Found can give you the nutrition tools and resources to get you to your goals. You can also track your food in our new-and-improved app, and zero in on specific areas you want to work on—whether it’s eating more whole grains or sipping fewer sugary drinks.

2. Your food choices can affect your response and gut microbiome (which affects your metabolism).

When your body doesn't effectively absorb energy from the foods you consume, those excess calories may be stored as fat and have a negative impact on your blood sugar levels and insulin function. Result: excess weight.  

And now, enter your gut microbiome. Your gut microbiome has many roles and can impact how your body uses insulin. The balance of good bacteria in your GI tract compared to the bad ones can become compromised if your body frequently tries to break down foods it doesn't recognize—such as processed, packaged foods and inflammatory fats. This imbalance can lead to inflammation that further triggers insulin resistance and may complicate weight care. At Found, we promote making healthy overall food choices (never deprivation or even calorie counting) that support those good gut bugs.

3. Your hormones affect your body’s ability to break down and absorb calories.

Your hormones help to regulate metabolism. And Found’s care providers can work with you to customize a weight care plan tailored to your biology. For example, sex hormones like estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone can fluctuate at different life stages and impact the rate at which your body is able to burn calories.

Another key player in regulating the rate at which you burn calories is your thyroid. Hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid) is a disorder that happens when the thyroid pumps out larger quantities of hormones than necessary, which speeds up metabolism and can lead to weight loss, increased appetite, anxiety and diarrhea. And then there’s hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid), which does just the opposite. It’s linked to lower resting energy expenditure, weight gain, low energy, depression, and constipation. Both of these hormonal disorders impact the way your body uses calories. 

4. Exercise alone is not the most efficient way to create a calorie deficit.

We’d never discourage exercise—it does so many amazing things for your body, and may help with your weight care journey. But it’s not the total answer. Research suggests that regular, challenging workouts only burn 10 to 30% of your total daily calories through exercise. 

When you think about your weight care journey, it’s important to look at the whole picture. Found can help support you with expert care, tips, an immersive app, and a great online community to support you on the way. Take our 3-minute quiz today, and you’ll see why hundreds of thousands of members believe in Found.