Weight Loss - Calories intake
Weight loss is about controlling calories taken in versus the calories burnt or used. In simple terms, calories are the units of energy contained within any food, and when we consume food the stored energy is released and is either used up or stored for future use as fat. The body needs certain amount of fat reserve to survive or the body will simply cease to function properly the minute it runs out of energy (in extreme cases it can even be fatal). Therefore, it is important to balance the calories taken in against the calories burnt. A safe weight loss diet will almost always be based around the concept of balancing the calories taken in versus the calories used.
Counting calories for weight loss
Counting calories for weight loss is based around creating a calorie deficient state within the body. Counting calories for weight loss should be easy as most foods we buy from supermarkets have their calories shown on the packaging. So, there really is no excuse for the over consumption of excess calories, which inevitably leads to excess fat storage and obesity. Even in situations where a food or a drink's calories is not displayed, such as raw vegetables or fruits etc, then a calories database is used to identify their stored energy. There are also a number of books available in the market that detail exactly how much calories each raw ingredient contains.
Once we have determined the amount of energy consumed through food, the next stage then is to determine the amount of energy used to ensure a slight calories deficiency state is created that is necessary for weight loss. A simple rule of thumb is that women on average use about 2000 calories per day and men use 2500. These figures are based on the amount of energy an average person needs to function, however, it is a VERY rough figure as other factors such as the metabolic rate and the type of activity performed during the day influence the amount of energy used. So for example if a person is running, walking or swimming then these figures will need to be increased to ensure the state of calorie deficiency is not too large as to cause heath problems. Remember for a weight loss program to be safe, this deficiency state must be slight, around 200 calories less than that consumed, so that the body adjusts gradually to weight loss. Another down side to a too great a deficiency state is that the body's fight or flight mechanism will be triggered, which inevitably lowers the metabolic rate and increase the release of Cortisol hormone, that ultimately leads to fat storage once a person starts to eat normally. This is one reason why diets that promise fast weight loss will almost always lead to even more weight gain as soon as a person starts to eat normally. If this deficiency is too great then body will attempt to cater for it by diverting energy and nutrition from none vital organs to the more vital ones.
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 Children & Obesity
In simple terms, obesity is caused when the body stores excessive calories.
Obesity in civilized countries is reaching epidemic proportions. What
is worrying is that the children too are now more obese than ever before
in the history of man kind!
Child Obesity and Weight Loss
 Calories and Weight Loss Weight loss depends on the amount of calorie intake. Calories are used by the body to perform its day-to-day functions. However, when the calories taken in is greater than the energy burnt, then the excess calories are stored as fat. The most common reasons for excessive consumption of calories are:
- Psychological
- Emotional
- Lack of knowledge
- Habit
calories and weight loss
 Weight loss plans There are a number of VERY dangerous diet plans used to target weight loss. A dangerous, or misleading, diet is one which provides "rapid" result. Remember, in order for a diet to be effective and safe, your body needs time to adjust to the change in your lifestyle. This is because rapid dieting will almost always have health consequences, and in fact research has also shown that as soon as your body adjusts to the diet, you will start to put on weight at even a higher rate than before.
Weight loss diet
 Weight Loss plans to be avoided For legal reasons we are unable to actually name dangerous or misleading
weight loss diets, however, the following is a list which should help
you identify these diets for yourself.
- Any diet that cuts out any essential food groups (Specially carbohydrates!)
- Any diet that promises or guarantees fast result
- Any diet that involves you drinking only liquid food.
- Any diet that involves you buying processed and ready made "food
substitutes".
Weight loss diets
 Diet
 Exercise Exercise is vital not only to a safe weight loss plan, but, is also crucial to the general operation and well being of the human body.
Weight loss exercise
 Measuring Body Fat Measuring the Body Fat is a much more accurate way of measuring
how your weight loss program is going than using a bathroom
scale. The bathroom scales are highly misleading!
Measure Body Fat
 Swimming Swimming is a VERY effective and safe way of burning calories. Its one of the safest ways of exercising as you do not put any excessive force on the joints.
Swimming
 Walking Walking is one of the safest form of exercise as you burn those calories without excessive wear and tear on the joints.
Walking
 Pilates and Yoga Pilates and Yoga are important to any weight loss program as they both encourage good body posture and alignment.
Pilates
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