Calories and Weight

Relationship between body weight and calories:

We take in calories through food and we burn calories by physical activity. Weight gain occurs when you eat more calories than your body uses up. If the food you eat provides more calories than your body needs, the excess is converted to fat. The net calorie balance results in weight change.

For example, if you need to lose 10 pounds, then you should burn 35,000 calories more than you consume over time to lose 10 pounds. This should be done gradually over several weeks at the rate of 1 to 2 pounds per week. On the other hand, if you need to gain 10 pounds, you should consume 35, 000 pounds more than you burn to achieve this over time.

Slow and steady weight loss of 1 or 2 pounds a week is considered the safest way to lose weight and the best way to keep it off. Losing weight more rapidly means losing water weight or muscle tissue, rather than fat.