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/
detailed home cleaning Lake Forest ..Many people (especially on the net) claim that you can... Read More
Losing weight and going on a diet can be quite... Read More
Frankie saddled up to the bar at the We-Stuff-Em-All Diner,... Read More
You may not like what I'm about to say, but... Read More
There is no such thing as spot reducing. Any fat... Read More
The Government of the Australian state of Victoria has started... Read More
The following are weight loss tips that you can start... Read More
We have missed the boat and your boat is sinking... Read More
This is a perfect example of how on-line weight loss... Read More
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity... Read More
I'm sure you have heard it before, but one of... Read More
Gastric bypass surgeries are temporary physical fixes to a long... Read More
One of the greatest tricks that I use to stick... Read More
We, as a society, are always trying to lose weight.... Read More
While low-fat dieters and non-dieters may want to avoid chicken... Read More
Every Journey Worth Taking Begins with a Single StepHere are... Read More
Any dietary plan on the market has some portion of... Read More
IntroductionObesity is the most common health problem facing children today.... Read More
If you're taking a fiber supplement or eating a high... Read More
To upgrade the current software in your brain you can... Read More
Fat Loss Tip #1) Train With WeightsWorking out with weights... Read More
For about 50 years now, Americans have been eating low... Read More
An article published in http://www.inch-aweigh.com mentioned, "If you are eating... Read More
Fat Loss Tip #2) Drink More WaterI know, I know,... Read More
Fats are always looked at as a negative in a... Read More
trusted cleaning company Des Plaines ..1. Increase your fiber intake. The body needs a lot... Read More
When Instant Results Take TimeYesterday I decided to "get back... Read More
These days, Jennifer Secrist has little interest in idle activities.... Read More
Have you ever just felt like you were doing everything... Read More
I can't do that Until I Lose This Weight! If... Read More
You know you have will-power. You can change a diaper... Read More
Before you even think of taking diet pills to lose... Read More
Are you unhappy with your current weight but aren't "motivated"... Read More
In twenty years of consistant exercising, maintaining a low percentage... Read More
I am sure that when I mention setting objectives for... Read More
Over the past 5 years, online weight loss programs have... Read More
1. Become aware of what you are eating.Before I started... Read More
If you pick the right personal trainer?you'll most definitely see... Read More
The weight loss protein debate centers around the effectiveness of... Read More
If only there were a 'better body boot camp', we'd... Read More
I've worked with hundreds of people who were interested in... Read More
Don't diet, just eat and lose weight!First, the following "diet"... Read More
First off, let me start by saying this list is... Read More
Losing Weight quickly and easily has become one of the... Read More
Millions of people spend billions of dollars, hoping to achieve... Read More
Hoodia Gordonii a cactus plant found thousands of miles away... Read More
Just the facts on bodybuilding weightloss strategies that work. No... Read More
* Not walking on a treadmill everyday for 45 minutes... Read More
What is the best form of physical activity?The best form... Read More
When embarking on a weight loss program people will almost... Read More
Weight Loss |