What is a calorie? The definition of a calorie is "the amount of energy, or heat it takes to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water 1 degree Celsius". A calorie is a unit of energy that is associated with food and drink and is a measure of the energy, or heat, that food produces as your body uses it as fuel.
The first step in counting calories for your personal weight loss is to calculate how many calories you burn in a day (your total daily energy expenditure), this is the total number of calories that your body expends in 24 hours, including all activities. This is known as your maintenance level and will be the reference point (number of calories) from which to start your dieting.
The average calorie maintenance level for women in the United States is approx 2000 per day and the average for men is approx 2500 per day. These are only basic averages and are usually much higher for athletes or active individuals.
A quick and easy method to find out how many calories you require per day for weight loss and maintenance is to calculate a calorie value with a multiplier as set out below.
Fat loss = multiply your bodyweight in pounds with 12 calories (12 x lb).
Maintenance = multiply your bodyweight in pounds with 15 calories (15 x lb).
This is a very easy method to estimate your daily caloric requirements, but it has its drawbacks as it doesn't take into account your particular activity levels or body fat levels. Despite this it will give you a good estimated figure that you can work with.
The maintenance figure that you get is the amount of calories that you need to consume to stay at your current weight. To lose weight your calorie intake must be lower than the calories you burn.
In order to lose one pound of fat per week, you must reduce your weekly calorie intake by 3,500 calories, which works out at five hundred calories per day. This can be done by reducing your calories by 500 or combining a diet with physical activity. The bottom line is to balance your caloric intake with the amount of calories that you are burning, that's the secret to successful dieting and weight maintenance.
Becoming more conscious of counting calories in your everyday eating regime is imperative if you are trying to lose weight. Studies have shown that men and women underestimate their daily calorie consumption by 500 to almost 1000 calories. You can get a truer picture by keeping a, seven day eating plan of what you typically eat and drink during the day.
At the end of each days eating, add up the total amount of calories consumed and write them down on to the eating plan. At the end of the seven days, add the total calories for the whole week and then divide by seven, you now have your daily calorie intake.
Using a calorie calculator can make counting calories easier - you can total how many calories you will need for your daily activities to give you more control over how many calories you should include in your daily diet. Moderation is always important when you are counting calories, severely restricting calories, causes the body to lower its metabolic rate, which reduces its ability to burn fat. At the same time, hunger signals increase and you quickly start to crave high-energy foods loaded with fats and sugar, the same foods you are trying to do without.
This is because when you return to normal eating habits, the drop in metabolic rate caused by the restriction in calories means that your old eating habits actually represent excess in calories. Not only do you regain the fat stores just lost, but also you may even gain a bit extra.
Dieting by counting calories means that all foods are allowed, nothing is forbidden as long as the calories consumed don't go over your daily calorie allowance. Counting calories can also be flexible enough to accommodate most busy lifestyles.
Health professionals agree that healthy eating which includes counting calories and a low fat diet are essential for long-term healthy weight loss. The way to lose body fat and maintain muscle is to have a food program for life. Quality food and more energy output are the basics you'll need to go for.
Bulk foods that fill you up and don't fill you out, foods that are low in fat and sugar which aren't refined should be the ideal. Small frequent meals should be consumed during the day each containing a little protein to maintain muscle mass and energy levels.
As before get the calories from high quality food but if you can't, utilize a blender to make mixtures from skim milk with whatever nutrient additives you want to use, just as long as you keep count of the calories for your daily total.
Now use these out of the blender mixtures and solid food for your daily feedings. Spread it out over many small meals a day instead of the traditional three meals a day.
Gary is the author of several ebooks, including "Maximum Weight Loss in Ten Weeks" - the complete ebook and time-saving solution for burning away unwanted fat, and "Maximum Weight Gain in Ten Weeks" - easy-to-use and follow techniques that serve as a guide to muscle growth without having to "live in the gym".
Visit Gary's website at http://www.maximumfitness.com/
Airbnb cleaning service Arlington Heights ..LivingAfterWLS reader feedback indicates snacking is the single biggest problem... Read More
The very first thing you want to do before you... Read More
How do we know what we know? Often, our knowledge... Read More
Obesity, once seen as akin to laziness and overeating, is... Read More
Speculating on the scientifically proven memory unreliability, the memory specialist... Read More
Among the most popular forms of dieting is the South... Read More
You may be considering weight loss surgery if you are... Read More
A healthy pregnancy almost always involves weight gain. But now... Read More
Contrary to common belief, your weight is not really the... Read More
Just about every one of us struggles with our weight... Read More
In recent years, carbohydrates have been labeled as the nutrition... Read More
One common question I receive is, "What do you do... Read More
America is a nation of self-disclosers, amiably acceptant of our... Read More
The Order of Energy UtilizationBack to our table of stored... Read More
In the battle to look good, there's a cosmetic treatment... Read More
Dieters have long searched for secret paths to easy weight... Read More
Want an after dinner snack? Jealously watching your family consume... Read More
1. What is my BMI and how do I calculate... Read More
I am Dr Patrick Flanagan, and this is the latest... Read More
Unfortunately, obesity is reaching epidemic proportions, with over 60% of... Read More
Used a diet pill recently and got depressed because you... Read More
From personal experience I have myself like all of you... Read More
Negative calorie foods are said to use more calories to... Read More
Diet is a dreadful word for most of us because... Read More
If you're trying lose weight, maintain your weight, or sculpt... Read More
reliable maid service Winnetka ..There is no doubt about it; Americans are eating in... Read More
Nowadays, so much of the public is obese (fat) that... Read More
Foods that are high in fiber and protein are the... Read More
Throughout my childhood and teenage years I watched as my... Read More
Fifteen years ago the doctor's suggested that we eat pasta... Read More
Women on diets need more calcium than normal to avoid... Read More
Lousy Reasons to Lose Weight"I want to be a size... Read More
If you have a protruding abdomen, loose skin as a... Read More
1. Include in your diet things that contain more water... Read More
What's a Low Carb Diet Really Mean?When I hear low... Read More
More and more people are starting to recognize that they... Read More
Healthy living begins with healthy eating and healthy eating begins... Read More
I have been seriously working on losing weight for about... Read More
In the early weeks after having weight loss surgery almost... Read More
Resistance training, also known as strength training, does not require... Read More
Gastric bypass patients face a great task in the following... Read More
Why was the FDA trying to hide the facts about... Read More
Why has Phentermine stopped helping me lose weight?Many people are... Read More
Many people search for a pill, a special diet or... Read More
Are you unhappy with your current weight but aren't "motivated"... Read More
"Help, none of this mainstream stuff works!"There is a specific... Read More
It seems like everywhere you turn, there is someone trying... Read More
At the beginning of December, WeightWatchers.com announced the release of... Read More
There are many subscriber programs available both online and in... Read More
Include in your diet things that contain more water like... Read More
Weight Loss |