Cal-o-ries: Tiny creatures that live in your closet and sew your clothes a little bit tighter every night.

Calories have gotten a bad rap. It’s as if watching your calorie intake means you’ve joined the “diet culture” contingent and are now doomed to a life devoid of happiness.

What if you could shift your relationship with this word? Because in truth, a calorie is just a unit of measure. And it’s how your body determines its energy balance.

Calories are just energy. And all food has energy. Learning to lovingly manage your energy is one productive step in creating the body you want.

Because the truth is, calories do matter even if you don’t want to pay attention to them.

Your body is very much dependent on energetic balance. Too little energy in, and you’ll feel tired, sluggish, and cranky. Too much energy in (or too little energy out) and you’ll gain body fat.

If you want to feel your best, have all-day energy, and reach your body composition goals, it’s helpful to cultivate a healthy relationship with those little creatures hiding in your closet.

Have you ever known a woman who eats “whatever” she wants? Who claims to never restrict her food, or limit her desires? Somehow she seemingly doesn’t struggle with her weight or food choices.

Today I'm dishing on this topic and sharing my insights after 30 years of coaching "those women." 

I'll also share how I went from being so confused about how to eat to maintain my ideal body weight, to now being one of "those women". 

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why some women are able to “eat whatever they want” and stay lean and trim
• How some women ARE able to eat more than others, and why it’s not the same for you
• How you can learn a way of budgeting so that you can eat with more freedom and enjoy your favorite foods, and still reach your goals

One of the most important things I learned in my own journey from confused to masterful, is that regardless of what other women are eating, my body and its needs are unique to my physiology. 

One of the best ways to enjoy your journey to your best body ever is to let go of the need to compare yourself to others.

Therefore, it doesn’t really matter what your friend eats. The real question is, “What works for YOUR body and YOUR goals?”

Find your version of food happiness by allowing some indulgences and balancing them with the foods that truly serve your body.

This is precisely why I’m a fierce proponent of learning what foods are proteins, what foods are carbs, and what foods are fats. 

When you learn how to balance each of these three macronutrients, you’ll have a greater ability to eat your favorite foods and still achieve your best body ever.

In the end, strategic strength training and intentional nutrition is the best way to create the body you need to live the life you love.

Let me know what you think of this episode of Hot Tea with Holly in the comments below!

Stay strong, friend.