blondesmiler Posted February 22, 2009 Posted February 22, 2009 So most of us know that 1lb of body weight = 3500 calories So to lose 1lb of weight we must have a deficiate of 3500 calories. However I do not believe it is that simple. What do you think?
jerbear Posted February 22, 2009 Posted February 22, 2009 Not so simple. I think it requires more than just eat less and move more. Nutrition is paramount in physical fitness. One has to have a balanced diet which might not be eating less but eating better.
clv0116 Posted February 22, 2009 Posted February 22, 2009 My experience is that my body seems really good at adapting to the circumstances it finds itself in. Running forces a condition that seems to work for me. While at some level 3500 calories for a pound is an inescapable fact, what your body does with regard to building muscle and burning calories is a very fluid and modifiable process. Unless you have structural issues like bad knees, I'd recommend good shoes and treadmill time in conjunction with use of some healthy supplements like BCAA to reduce the tendency to lose muscle mass. BCAA is easily absorbed and utilized for muscle synthesis and tends to make me feel surprisingly sated without requiring a big meal. As a woman you're not gonna wake up one morning and have muscles like a man, don't worry. I tend to use protein supplements a lot and eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as steamed brown rice.
fral945 Posted February 22, 2009 Posted February 22, 2009 No, it's not. But there are ways to consume fewer calories without actually consuming less food (and sometimes consuming more food) and not feeling hungry or deprived all the time. Counting calories isn't very useful to long term weight maintenance (though it might be useful to get a gauge of how you actually eat). Learning the hows, whats, whens, wheres, and whys of healthy eating and creating a healthy lifestyle is more conducive.
Author blondesmiler Posted February 22, 2009 Author Posted February 22, 2009 BTW am just curious as our Government has campaign running which their slogan is "Eat Less, Eat Better, Move More" I believe when you are an adult, it is alot more complicated than that, not to be healthy but to drop weight.
Trialbyfire Posted February 22, 2009 Posted February 22, 2009 Everyone's natural metabolic rate or synthesis of calories, is different, so it's not quite that simple. On the otherhand, a Big Mac is equivalent to over 550 calories. Based on the generalized formula of 1 lb. fat = 3500 calories, all it takes is the daily reduction of a Big Mac or its equivalent of calories per day, to lose approximately 1 lb per week. I'm not suggesting you eat this per day. Just consider what you're eating and how much of it is nutritional.
Author blondesmiler Posted February 22, 2009 Author Posted February 22, 2009 Everyone's natural metabolic rate or synthesis of calories, is different, so it's not quite that simple. On the otherhand, a Big Mac is equivalent to over 550 calories. Based on the generalized formula of 1 lb. fat = 3500 calories, all it takes is the daily reduction of a Big Mac or its equivalent of calories per day, to lose approximately 1 lb per week. I'm not suggesting you eat this per day. Just consider what you're eating and how much of it is nutritional. I am on Weight Watchers so what I eat 90% of the time is very good, low fat and healthy and have lost half a stone of the 10lbs I'd like to lose. I only weigh 11st and I am fairly muscluar. It really is just a general question as I wondered what others takes are on this. As there is alot of people that ask about this on the Weight Watchers forum.
anne1707 Posted February 22, 2009 Posted February 22, 2009 Which is exactly why Weightwatchers is such a good diet to follow. It is all about balance and healthy choices. Yes you can eat "naughty" foods but only in moderation. The diet is based around controlling intake of both calories and saturated fats. It is also about educating people on healthy eating habits after weight loss and encouraging exercise. Can you tell I lost my weight through weightwatchers?
Author blondesmiler Posted February 22, 2009 Author Posted February 22, 2009 Can you tell I lost my weight through weightwatchers? Nice one, congratulations
electric_sheep Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 Despite my recent post pointing out the genetic and biochemical side of the equation, I'm convinced that our culture is a big contributor. I've seen my best friend and my girlfriend put on a lot of weight, and some things they have in common include a really bad diet, a substantial "interest" in food, and a lifestyle that emphasis what I call the Buddhist art of non-doing. I think everything is a blend of genetics and environment, and I also think most things exist on a spectrum. What's happened in the last 20 years or so is the rise of cultural trends that are bringing out genetic traits and propensities that we haven't seen on such a large scale before. No pun intended. "Eat less, eat better, move more" is actually pretty succinct, and I suspect if people actually do it, the majority of them will see some kind of change, however small. If nothing else, they will be healthier. It's the actually doing it that is the hard part. I think bad habits perpetuate themselves, so it's much easier to maintain good habits than to drop bad ones.
IrishCarBomb Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 Being more active and eating less will work, but maybe not as much as you'd like it to. The formula of "reduce 500 calories a day and lose 1 pound a week" just can't work. It would suggest that if I change my diet now, it will be as effective now as it is after I've lost 30 pounds, which just isn't true. It's a decent rule of thumb to follow, but at some point your body readjusts to the new diet, and you'll have to change something else if you want to lose more weight.
lovestruck818 Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 Despite my recent post pointing out the genetic and biochemical side of the equation, I'm convinced that our culture is a big contributor. I've seen my best friend and my girlfriend put on a lot of weight, and some things they have in common include a really bad diet, a substantial "interest" in food, and a lifestyle that emphasis what I call the Buddhist art of non-doing. I think everything is a blend of genetics and environment, and I also think most things exist on a spectrum. What's happened in the last 20 years or so is the rise of cultural trends that are bringing out genetic traits and propensities that we haven't seen on such a large scale before. No pun intended. "Eat less, eat better, move more" is actually pretty succinct, and I suspect if people actually do it, the majority of them will see some kind of change, however small. If nothing else, they will be healthier. It's the actually doing it that is the hard part. I think bad habits perpetuate themselves, so it's much easier to maintain good habits than to drop bad ones. It is most definitely attributed to our culture, not ALL of it, but a part of it. My feeling are there are 3 factors that control weight: genetics, attitude and culture. People wont lose any weight if they aren't motivated to get out there and change their diet and exercise routines. People who come from thin households can't just assume and expect that they can eat what they want and will remain thin. Culture has a lot do with it too...esp. for Americans. America has the highest population of obesity, @ around 65%-70% (someone tell me if my numbers are wrong- they could be). Fast food is so accesible, it's so easy to call for a pizza and boom 30 minutes later it's on your doorstep. There are so many commercials on TV advertising deals and sales and new foods upcoming at fast food restaurants. I don't know if it is like that in other countries, by my god it's ridiculous here. My town alone has 4 mcdonald's. Is this all really necessary?
clv0116 Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 My town alone has 4 mcdonald's. Is this all really necessary? If mom isn't there to cook dinner, the family has to eat something.
lovestruck818 Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 If mom isn't there to cook dinner, the family has to eat something. hahahah well men ARE pretty incompetant, lol...but there are certainly restaurants out there that are healthier. It's not like McD's or BK or KFC are the ONLY choices...
fral945 Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 America has the highest population of obesity, @ around 65%-70% (someone tell me if my numbers are wrong- they could be). Fast food is so accesible, it's so easy to call for a pizza and boom 30 minutes later it's on your doorstep. There are so many commercials on TV advertising deals and sales and new foods upcoming at fast food restaurants. I don't know if it is like that in other countries, by my god it's ridiculous here. My town alone has 4 mcdonald's. Is this all really necessary? Don’t forget there is now yogurt and soup you can drink (because we’re obviously too busy with our lives to actually use a spoon for either of these foods). They also make Go-Tarts (as if a Pop-tart wasn’t already portable enough?) Maybe we’ll just go straight to IV’s one day, which would eliminate chewing food completely. This is one of my favorite videos which exaggerates (though not by a lot) the typical American attitude about food: http://www.theonion.com/content/video/new_wearable_feedbags_let
clv0116 Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 hahahah well men ARE pretty incompetant, lol...but there are certainly restaurants out there that are healthier. It's not like McD's or BK or KFC are the ONLY choices... By mom I mean some adult who cares about the health of the family and has time to prepare healthy food, a full time home maker. This is traditionally mom. Most restaurant food is crap health wise, and the number of people who seldom drink water is appalling. We drink too much sugar and eat too much meat.
Author blondesmiler Posted February 23, 2009 Author Posted February 23, 2009 Its also the fact that because of cars and technology we are less active in our day to day lives now. So we should be doing more, above our jobs (for the most, builders and physical workers not so). Being able to drive right up to the window or shop as is in the US doesn't help but then people need to take responsibility. I.e. Don't eat McDonalds/Pizza/KFC everyday Don't park the car right at the door step and perhaps just at the back of the car park Take the stairs instead of lift or escalator Walk some places and so on and so forth. Its not the fault of the fast food companies, its the fault of the people that buy it too often.
electric_sheep Posted February 24, 2009 Posted February 24, 2009 Don’t forget there is now yogurt and soup you can drink (because we’re obviously too busy with our lives to actually use a spoon for either of these foods). Drinkable food? That is just wrong on so many different levels.
fral945 Posted February 24, 2009 Posted February 24, 2009 Drinkable food? That is just wrong on so many different levels. Ever seen Gogurt? And I think it is Campbell's soup makes the pop top drinkable soup (though I could be wrong, since I don't do drinkable food). I have even seen advertising for cereal bars as a replacement for cold cereal (which apparently now is no longer a convenience food because you actually have to pour it into a bowl and pour milk into it). It's just funny the me the countless example of how processed and instant our food has become. You could conceivably eat all of your meals without a utensil and never get your fingers messy.
knaveman Posted February 25, 2009 Posted February 25, 2009 BTW am just curious as our Government has campaign running which their slogan is "Eat Less, Eat Better, Move More" I believe when you are an adult, it is alot more complicated than that, not to be healthy but to drop weight. I don't think it's all that simple either, but it's a start in the right direction. Which is more than I can say for my country.
lovestruck818 Posted February 25, 2009 Posted February 25, 2009 Don’t forget there is now yogurt and soup you can drink (because we’re obviously too busy with our lives to actually use a spoon for either of these foods). They also make Go-Tarts (as if a Pop-tart wasn’t already portable enough?) Maybe we’ll just go straight to IV’s one day, which would eliminate chewing food completely. This is one of my favorite videos which exaggerates (though not by a lot) the typical American attitude about food: http://www.theonion.com/content/video/new_wearable_feedbags_let Some soups are very unhealthy- esp. the creamy ones. Go-gurts probably have a lot of sugar...I mean after all it's a kid's snack. Poptarts are so picnic either...
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