In many popular diet books, “Calories don’t count” is a frequently repeated theme. Other popular programs, such as Bill Phillip's "Body For Life," allude to importance of energy intake versus energy output, but recommend that you count “portions” rather than calories…

Phillips wrote,

"There aren't many people who can keep track of their calorie intake for an extended period of time. As an alternative, I recommend counting 'portions.' A portion of food is roughly equal to size of your clenched fist or palm of your hand. Each portion of protein or carbohydrate typically contains between 100 and 150 calories. For example, one chicken breast is approximately one portion of protein, and one medium-sized baked potato is approximately one portion of carbohydrate."

Phillips makes a good point that trying to count every single calorie - in literal sense - can drive you crazy and is probably not realistic as a lifestyle for long term.

It's one thing to count portions instead of calories – that is at least acknowledging importance of portion control. However, it's another altogether to deny that calories matter. Is it necessary to count every calorie to lose weight? No. But it IS necessary to eat fewer calories then you burn. Whether you count calories and eat less than you burn, or you don’t count calories and eat less than you burn, end result is same. Personally, I’d rather know exactly what I’m eating rather than take chances by guessing.

I believe that it's very important to develop an understanding of and a respect for law of calorie balance (and portion control). I also believe that it's an important part of nutrition education to learn how many calories are in foods you eat on a regular basis – including (and perhaps, especially) how many calories are in foods you eat when you dine at restaurants.

1. Start Exercising first thing in morning.

During day your body’s main source of energy is carbohydrates that you get from eating your meals. As you sleep at night for 6+ hours your body uses up all those carbohydrates as energy for various bodily functions that go on even while you sleep.

When you wake up in morning your body doesn’t have any carbohydrates as energy to use and it will look to burn body fat instead for energy.

For you to take advantage of this morning fat burning opportunity you have to exercise first thing in morning. Don’t eat breakfast because if you do you’ll just give your body some carbohydrates as a source of energy instead of body fat that you want to burn for energy.

Another great thing about working out first thing in morning is that your metabolism gets revved up after your morning workout. Morning workouts keep your metabolism elevated throughout day. An elevated metabolism throughout day only means that you’ll burn more calories and lose more weight.

If you workout at night you may still burn fat while you workout but as soon as you go to sleep your metabolism will slow down and you’ll miss out on all extra fat that you can burn during day if you had exercised in morning. When you sleep your metabolic rate is always at its slowest.

Other reasons why its good to exercise first thing in morning is that you get workout out of way, and working out in morning will also reduce your level of stress throughout day.

Advanced Tip: Want to burn even more fat? Add another workout to your daily routine 4-6 hours after your morning workout. Keep your already high metabolism higher by adding a 2nd workout during day.