The result shows the amount of calories you need in a day.
Knowing how many calories you need to consume each day is essential for losing or gaining weight. calorie budget is usually determined with your basal metabolic rate (BMR), which is also called your resting energy expenditure (EER). Your basal metabolic rate is determined by your gender, age and body size, and calculating this number tells you how about how many calories you burn just being alive and awake.
When it comes to food we make 3 common mistakes:
- We spend more than we think – generally underestimating the caloric content of foods.
- We think we earn more than we do – generally overestimating the amount we burn during physical activity.
- We think that if we’ve overeaten during one meal, we can just keep eating and start fresh tomorrow. That’s like blowing the budget on an expensive dress and then buying a hat, shoes and bag to match!
Chronic mismanagement leads to weight gain over time. Overspending 100 calories a day may add up to 10 pounds a year. Spend an extra 1,000 every weekend, and you could be 15 pounds heavier on your next birthday! Keeping good food and activity records is one of the best ways to successfully manage your weekly calorie budget, and the scale will tell you if your math is off.
As you lose weight, you’ll have to learn to live on a tighter calorie budget. Weight loss can be like leaving a tedious high paying job but finally getting to do the work you love. You might have less to spend, but the benefits are great!
