Calories. It always comes down to calories.
In my last post, I discussed some of the easiest ways to keep track of how many calories you ingest on a daily basis. But the importance of this information can be confusing to people who don’t fully understand how calories affect their bodies.
A calorie is essentially a unit of energy. Our bodies take in calories through food and beverages, and we use these calories to keep our organs working and our muscles moving. Calories are essential to being alive. However, when we take in more calories than necessary, our bodies hold onto these calories and store them as extra mass in case we need them as a future energy source.
Applying mathematics to fitness and nutrition
In the beautiful engine of our bodies, 3,500 calories equals one pound of fat. This means that if we eat 3,500 extra calories, we will gain one pound. If we lose 3,500 calories either through exercising or restricting our diet, we will lose one pound. This part is simple mathematics.
The math gets a little more complicated once you take an individual’s basal metabolic rate (BMR) into account. This metabolic rate refers to how many calories someone expels simply by being alive for 24 hours. It is easy to calculate your BMR online. Unfortunately, online calculators are not as accurate as tests conducted by a personal trainer, but I have found them to be relatively accurate. Search for one that asks for your activity level.
Knowing your BMR makes maintaining or losing weight easier. My BMR is approximately 1,600 calories. If I consistently eat 2,000 calories for nine days, I will gain about one pound. I can easily reverse this daily 400-clorie gain by working out for 45 minutes.
Knowledge is power. Arm yourself!
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