A pound of fat represents approximately 3500 calories of stored energy. In order to lose a pound of fat, you have to use 3500 more calories than you consume. Although this seems like a simple formula remember that your body is a thinking organism designed to protect itself.
If you were to try to reduce your intake by the entire 3500 calories in one day, your body would register some type of alarm and think that there is a state of emergency. Immediately your metabolism would slow down and no weight loss would be achieved.
It's better to spread your weight loss out over a period of a week, so that you aim to reduce your caloric intake by 3500 to 7000 calories per week, resulting in weight loss of one to two pounds per week. It's generally not recommended to try to lose more than two pounds in a week. Attempting to do so may cause health risks, and on top of this you're unlikely to be successful.
In the example of attempting to lose two pounds per week, you can use a basic method of calorie counting to help you accomplish your goal. To do so, you need to figure out how many calories a person of your age, sex, and weight usually needs in a day, subtract 500 from that amount, and follow a diet that provides you with that many calories.
For example, if you would ordinarily need 3000 calories in a day, you would follow a 2500-calorie a day diet. Next, figure out how much exercise a person of your weight would need to do to burn 500 calories per day, and engage in an exercise plan that will help you achieve your goal.
The result is simple: 500 fewer calories consumed and 500 more calories expended equals a 1000 calorie per day deficit, which, over the course of a week adds up to 7000 calories, or two pounds. Although individual results may vary, the bottom line is if your body is consuming fewer calories than it's expending, then weight will be lost.
*********************************************************************
Ken Shorey is owner of http://vibranthealthnow.com
VibrantHealthnow.com provides ebooks and information to help you improve your health.
*********************************************************************
Have You Given Up on Weight Loss? by Greg Landry,... Read More
Dieting doesn't have to be a chore. Actually, you can... Read More
For some of us, food is warmth and love. We... Read More
IntroductionThe history of The Atkins Diet goes back to the... Read More
You've seen diet pill advertisements? You have read the testimonials... Read More
You have decided that you want to lose weight and... Read More
Just one more day I can do this, I told... Read More
How's the practicing going? Are you spending time each day... Read More
There are tons of fad diets and weight loss schemes... Read More
In the early nineties I had the opportunity to work... Read More
"The kind of thoughts that you plant in your mind,... Read More
New gastric bypass patients say they miss food, they grieve... Read More
Liposuction works best with people who are a normal weight... Read More
If I Want to Lose Weight, What Can I Do... Read More
There are several theories on the origins of Valentine's Day.... Read More
We all have aspects of health we want to improve.... Read More
I am Greg Ryan, a high profile fitness expert with... Read More
In a global television commercial just launched (10 June 2005),... Read More
"I tried that diet and lost 8 pounds in the... Read More
Atkins diet was unknown 35 years ago. Though it seems... Read More
In our mind's eye, we see our ancient ancestors as... Read More
Stop Being Influenced by Food Ads on TVThere is much... Read More
I am a Registered Dietitian who has spent over 10,000... Read More
What do I mean by that?Well, carrots are good for... Read More
Although every dieter knows that keeping food records is a... Read More
whole house cleaning Park Ridge ..If you've been working out with weights for any length... Read More
Your health is your responsibility. As a human being, you... Read More
If you have a protruding abdomen, loose skin as a... Read More
Have a conversation about gastric bypass surgery with just about... Read More
Did you know that what you're eating could be making... Read More
The best way you can get rid of your pop... Read More
Fifteen years ago the doctor's suggested that we eat pasta... Read More
I'm sure you have heard it before, but one of... Read More
Weight Loss Red Flag GuideDespite claims to the contrary, there... Read More
I don't know about you, but I absolutely love bread... Read More
Weighing more than is normal, necessary, or allowed, especially having... Read More
If you find this article helpful, please forward it to... Read More
Yesterday evening my computer hard drive crashed. Resulting in the... Read More
According to the American College of Surgeons, most severely obese... Read More
Serious diet pills are intended for people who are overweight... Read More
Dieters dread the plateau. You're on a roll, losing weight... Read More
Being overweight is no laughing matter. For those who are... Read More
Dieting presents many complications if you are not fully committed... Read More
Welcome to lesson #2. First of all, I believe that... Read More
The only way you will ever follow through on an... Read More
Believe it or not, losing a little or a lot... Read More
Every Journey Worth Taking Begins with a Single StepHere are... Read More
There is no need to worry too much if your... Read More
Your blood cholesterol level is affected not only by what... Read More
You have noticed your obese friend suddenly slimmer. You want... Read More
Weight Loss |