Estimated Calorie Requirements To lose weight, your calorie
intake would have to be reduced to a level below your energy
expenditure. Since there are approximately 3500 calories in one
pound of fat, you would need to lower your calorie intake by
about 500 calories per day to lose one pound a week. As an
alternative, you could raise your physical activity level to
increased the number of calories burned. Physical activity is an
important way to utilize food energy. The calorie estimate from
your personal profile is based on your current weight.
Accordingly, if you are overweight the calorie estimate will be
somewhat high and if you are underweight the calorie estimate
will be somewhat low. People with large bodies require
proportionately more energy for activities than people with
small bodies. It is important to know that reducing your
calories below certain levels might make it impossible to meet
your daily nutritional needs, thereby compromising your health.
You should balance the desire to lose weight with