Weight Loss: How Many Calories A Day?

by Angel Lynn Diamond | More from this Blogger

19 Feb 2009 06:54 PM

Most of us know that 3500 calories is equal to one pound. Therefore, in order to lose two pounds a week, the most popular and healthy poundage to lose per week according to the experts, you will need to decrease your dietary intake and increase your exercise to equal 7000 calories. In that one pound of body weight there is 25% lean tissue and 75% fat.

If your desire is to lose weight you will need to decrease your caloric intake by 500 calories below your maintenance caloric intake. Any less than this figure is not a wise idea, as your body will go into starvation mode. Starvation mode reduces ones metabolism drastically. Because men and women have differing caloric needs it is not recommended that a man eat less than 1800 calories per day and a woman eat less than 1200 calories per day.

To find out what your daily maintenance caloric intake is you can use this handy tool: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/calorie-calculator/NU00598. This tool can be used to help you configure the correct caloric intake needed each day. Simply deduct 500 calories from it to obtain a loss. This figure combined with exercise approximately three times a week will have you well on your way to achieving a healthy weight. When you are at your goal weight you can consume your maintenance caloric intake to keep you there.

Losing weight is not an easy task, but being overweight is very unhealthy. It is important that once you lose your weight to keep it off and continue to eat healthy, nutritional meals without going over your daily needs. In addition, once at goal you should continue to exercise, slowing down just a bit, for optimal health. These healthful measures along with regular visits to your primary care physician will help to keep you in shape so that you can enjoy a longer and happier life.

Angel Lynn writes in weight loss, single parenting, and health.

Learn more about Angel Lynn Diamond

I am a mom to my precious one and only, a nurse in a heartwarming adult living facility, and a freelance writer.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger