It is probably the starting point for those that have decided that they must lose weight to be asking the question, “how many calories should I eat a day to lose weight”?
This is a logical question to be asked and there is certainly an answer and some guidelines to go by.
For starters, most people setting off on a mission to shed those pounds they are looking to do believe their total food consumption must be drastically reduced, and the calorie intake dramatically reduced. Unfortunately, many of these people are under the assumption that they can in fact fill themselves with various junk foods daily as long as they maintain a lower overall calorie intake. And that’s totally wrong!
The basic idea seems to make sense. If one lowers their calorie intake, it really does not matter what specific foods they choose to consume. The thing that they must become aware of is that this is truly not the case. Of course for many, cutting the number of calories can be of great benefit, particularly for those on a heavy junk food diet. But for so many others, moving on to carb restriction, consuming high fiber content and simply eating foods that are so much healthier is the way to proceed. These going in this direction may discover that although the calorie count intake is virtually the same, they are in fact shedding weight.
The fact of the matter as many soon discover is that calorie counting is truly not the number one priority to be concerned with. So the question “How many calories should I eat a day?” becomes a moot point.
One of the primary considerations that people should be aware of is that for many seeking to lose weight, drastically cutting their intake of calories can also lead to a dramatic slowdown of their metabolism as well. This will simply make it much more difficult to actually lose that weight they are seeking to do. At the start, because no one is certain how they are going to specifically react, it makes the most sense to begin by boosting their fiber content and making an effort to reduce the intake of carbs. If these initiatives do not offer any positive results, one can begin to reduce the intake of calories but is cautioned to do so on a gradual level. Many who are anxious to get started and forge ahead do not really want to hear this, but it is in fact the right path to be following to obtain the results one is seeking. The truth is that slashing calories is not the end-all, and particularly those with slow metabolisms, there are going to be some issues to be dealt with.
The Question Then Becomes, How Many Calories Should I Eat A Day For Weight To Be Lost?
The truth is that the answer to this question is truly an individual and personal one. Two of the determining factors are, how much weight is the person involved looking to shed, and what is their normal level of activity on a daily basis? There are also several other factors to be considered such as the calorie deficit one is seeking to achieve, the Basal Metabolic Rate(BMR), the Body Mass Index(BMI) and also the individual involved gender. The BMR is particularly important because it registers the minimum number of calories one must have for the body to perform the most normal of functions such as proper digestion, and even proper breathing.
The truth is that studies show that if a person consumes just the calories they need according to their BMR daily, they will not gain or lose one pound. If in fact they do consume less calories, they will lose weight. On the other side, if they consume additional calories, they will gain weight. What this means is that the concerned individual involved must first make every effort to accurately figure out their BMR. The next consideration should be an honest assessment of what their daily physical activities truly are. These things being properly done, one can then make the commitment to reduce their caloric intake by several hundred calories. They will truly be so pleased in a short period of time watching the pounds dropping off.
Some Suggestions
Take the time to make an honest assessment of where it is one is actually starting from. Next, make a realistic and doable target of where they want to go.The bottom line is that losing weight is certainly doable, but it does take an honest evaluation and a sincere commitment to making it happen. But at the end of the say instead of asking “how many calories should I eat a day?” you should focus more on cutting carbs at night, cutting out junk, and of course… doing some some kickass kettlebell workouts.
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