Weight Loss 101

February 23rd, 2010, Author: Krystel Breadmore, Categories: Weight loss

One of the most popular trend nowadays, especially for the ladies is to have a slim figure. That is why many people are determined to lose that excess weight. Losing weight is not as hard as it seems. It is not a mysterious process either. You just need to understand that it is just a matter of how much calories you are taking in and at the same time, how much of it do you effectively burn. To achieve weight loss is as easy as that.

Losing weight is not magic. It is not instant, unless you count surgeries and advance treatments such as liposuction and gastric banding. Though the market offers you instant solutions such as pills, medicines and other commercial products, they most likely are ineffective and would probably cause various unwanted side effects. Losing weight is gradual, the small changes you see everyday is a sign that your body is reacting effectively to your weight loss diets or programs.

If for example you would want to 1 pound of your weight, it means that you need to take off 3500 calories off your body. You have to burn those extra calories from your activities. Of course, you need not to burn in all in just 1 day. You may do it gradually – step by step but effectively. And how do you that?

Do you know your metabolic rate? Basal metabolic rate the amount of energy your body needed for vital function. It is energy that you need during your post-absorptive state or when your digestive system is inactive. This is the minimum amount of calories you need to take everyday. Just remember that the calculator is not always 100% accurate. As you progress from your weight loss diet or program, have your body adjust into in and make the necessary adjustment.

Also, you need to keep track of your activity level. You need a calorie calculator for you to be able to know how much calories you burn while standing, sitting, lifting weights and exercising each day. This will help you keep a daily journal of your activities. You can also use a heart rate monitor which calculates how much calories you have burned.

You must know how much calories you take. It is not hard to know how much calories you take these days. There are so many websites today that shows calorie count of different kinds of food, and you can make a list on what you drink and eat everyday.

Lastly, calculate your basal metabolic rate, add your calorie activity and then deduct the food calories from the total. If you are eating more calories than you are burning, you will probably gain weight, but if you are burning calories more than you eat, then you lose weight.

How about exercise? It should be part of your physical activity list. It is one of the most important factors for weight loss. Of course, different people would need different amount and quality of exercise. It depends on the person’s physical attributes and experience. If you are just a beginner, it is better for you to start small. Exercise 3 days per week for 20 to 40 minutes for your body to have time to adjust. A pro on the other hand may take about 1 to 2 hours of exercise everyday.

You may be figure conscious and want weight loss program that is applicable to your day-to-day routine. There are so many choose from; it is just a matter of staying discipline that helps you achieve this goal. You may want to read about fast weight loss.