Weight Loss – The Numbers

The trick to weight loss is calories in vs calories out. If you consume more calories than your body uses, you will gain weight and if you consume less calories than your body uses you will lose weight. The reason all these diets (intermittent fasting, atkins, no-carb etc) work is because you are ultimately consuming less calories. However in the long run these diets are not sustainable for most people because they are either too restrictive, too expensive and sometimes too inconveniencing- and the majority always gain that weight back plus more.

However, the best way to lose weight is to have a calorie deficit either by eating less of by moving more. No, let us rephrase that – the best way to lose weight is to eat healthy and move more. Instead of counting every calorie you eat, just aim for fresh fruits and vegetables and more home-cooked hearty and healthy meals and you will automatically consume the right amount of calories. The last thing you want is to become too restrictive and then damage your metabolism in the process. And yes, once in a while you can have ‘junk’ food as long as your healthy eating is 90% more than the ‘treats’ your calories in will level out.So now that we have the healthy eating aspect sorted, let’s go to the moving aspect. The following table shows how much weight you will lose if you burn a certain number of calories every day.

So why not take a leisurely 30-minute stroll every day and maybe eventually build up to running? Move more and watch the weight come of slowly but surely and sustainably. Sustainability is key so make sure whatever you do, you can stick to it for years to come!The above figures for calories burned are average figures. The exact amount depends on your weight, height and speed. If you want most accurate figures you can use activity trackers as you do your exercise.
Ngatirambe TichingoMhanya!