Many people trying to get fit or lose weight are confused by all the information surrounding this subject. One of the most common questions is “How many calories should I eat a day?” Let’s cut through all fad diet hype and get to the hear of the matter by examining certain proven fundamentals.
There are 3500 calories in one pound. Using this number, then it’s logical to assume that in order to lose one pound per week you should decrease your weekly calories by 3500 calories per week right? Not so fast… you see, lean muscle is lost along with the fat. So for example, if you say you want to lose 10 pounds, the real question is “10 pounds of what?”
If you’re losing muscle weight along with the fat, this is not good. Lean muscle contributes greatly to a fast metabolism. And a fast metabolism means you’re burning fat at a great rate 24 hours per day… even while sleeping.
Now you have a basic idea of how many calories you should eat daily. But there’s more to it if you’re serious about losing weight and getting fit.
Does this mean you should scrap the old 3500 calories per pound formula? Not entirely… you can still use it for getting a “ball park” figure of where you should be, then reduce your daily maintenance calories by about 500 calories or so. This will at least get you on your way to losing weight.
But there are a lot of other factors to consider. Remember, you want to minimize muscle loss as much as possible. If you cut calories too much, you will lose muscle, your metabolism will slow way down and your progress will come to a halt. That’s why you see so many people who go on diets that lose a lot of weight initially, then suddenly it just doesn’t work any more and they gain it all back.
The most important thing to do is follow a proven fat burning/fitness plan that has been proven to work with predictable results. A professional with a natural bodybuilding background will usually have the best advice when you’re asking how many calories should I eat a day. They will help you by considering factors like activity level, age, weight, initial body fat percentage, types of foods you eat, etc. They are experts at achieving low body fat and retaining muscle the fastest most healthy way possible.
Hello, Margaret here. Thanks for visiting my website.
