Calories: The 1st Law Of Alchemy (And An 'Anime' Physique)

Calories count

Last week I saw somebody post the question 'how do I lose weight?' in a cosplay fitness group. 

Nobody mentioned calories once.

People mentioned healthy eating (without defining it) along with salt, carbs, and fats. But nobody mentioned calories.

And I find that incredibly alarming.

The First Law of Thermodynamics states that energy is always conserved, it cannot be created or destroyed. In essence, energy can be converted from one form into another.

Or, as Alphonse Elric would say

Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is Alchemy's first law of Equivalent Exchange.

Fat is stored energy, so it has to be converted to heat either via exercise or via depleted caloric intake over time. This is 100% a proven fact: you cannot lose weight without being in a caloric deficit. If you're not losing weight, you're not in a calorie deficit. It's as simple as that.

Eating healthy may help you feel better, reducing salt might help your blood pressure, timing your carbs might help with energy levels, eating a low fat diet might create a nutrient partitioning effect, and eating a high protein diet will help you retain and gain muscle mass.

But none of that will help you lose weight if you are not in a calorie deficit.

That is the truth.

It has been proven for decades but if you needed more evidence there's even been a June 2019 study showing that those who restricted more calories lost more weight.

Once again: calories count

That's all for today friends and always remember: Be More Shonen

Cosplay: Greed (FullMetal Alchemist) Photo: Tecu Photography (Taken At MCM London October 2018)