If you want to lose weight, you need to start thinking like a scientist. That means applying first principles thinking to your weight loss journey.
First principles thinking is a way of thinking that starts from the most basic principles and then works up from there. In the case of weight loss, that means starting with the calorie.
A calorie is a unit of energy. In order to lose weight, you need to create a calorie deficit, which means you need to burn more calories than you consume.
The most basic way to do this is to eat less and move more. That means eating fewer calories and burning more calories through exercise.
Of course, it’s not always that simple. There are a lot of factors that affect how many calories you burn and how many calories you consume. But if you can keep the calorie in mind as the starting point, you’ll be on the right track.
From there, you can start to apply first principles thinking to other aspects of your weight loss journey. What are some other factors that affect weight loss? Hunger, for one.
If you’re always hungry, it’s going to be tough to create a calorie deficit. That’s why it’s important to find ways to curb your hunger. This could involve eating more protein and fiber, which help to keep you feeling fuller for longer.
It could also involve making sure you’re eating regularly throughout the day. Skipping meals is only going to make you hungrier, which will make it harder to stick to your calorie deficit.
Another factor that affects weight loss is metabolism. If you have a slow metabolism, you’re going to have to work a little harder to lose weight. But there are ways to boost your metabolism, like eating smaller meals more often and getting enough exercise.
First principles thinking is all about breaking things down to the most basic level and then working up from there. By applying this way of thinking to your weight loss journey, you’ll be more likely to find success.
