Here’s a thought: Does someone who appears to be at a healthy weight count calories? Just ask them. The answer will probably be “NO.” But if you still want an idea of how many calories you can (or should) consume to reach and maintain a particular weight, the following is a “rule of thumb.”

If your ideal weight is 150 pounds, you would start by multiplying it by 10 to get 1500 calories (which is the basic amount needed for burning energy). Add another third of that (500 calories) for total energy expenditure, or the additional calories needed for normal physical activity. Add that together to get 2,000 calories, and add an additional 10 percent of that (200 calories) which your body needs to metabolize food. The grand total would be 2,200 calories per day, which may be more than you thought.

To put it more simply: 1,500 + 500 (1/3rd) = 2,000 + 200 (10%) = 2,200

So if your ideal weight is higher than 150 pounds, then you can consume even more calories to achieve that weight. But who wants to count calories? Calorie counting is not exactly fun, and who has the time anyway? 

Instead, check out my other blog posts for more information on how you can Lose the Diet and the weight in a healthy and happy way.

Excerpt from the award-winning book Lose the Diet.  Copyright by Kathy Balland.  Get Lose the Diet now on Amazon!  And join the Lose the Diet Club at www.LosetheDietClub.com.

The truth is that a person who weighs 180 pounds is able to eat more calories to get down to 120 pounds, than a 130-pound person can eat to get down to 120 pounds. Generally, a heavier person can eat more food than they think in order to lose weight. So assuming that you are not eating enough, if you increase your food intake, you can increase your body’s capacity to burn energy, and ultimately lose weight. Just think of eating food like putting wood on a fire. If you don’t put enough wood on the fire, then the fire cannot burn.

Excerpt from the award-winning book Lose the Diet.  Copyright by Kathy Balland.  Get Lose the Diet now on Amazon!  And join the Lose the Diet Club at www.LosetheDietClub.com.

I’m going to be blogging excerpts from my award-winning book Lose the Diet!  This way I can “spoon feed” the information to you in little bits and pieces, which makes it very easy to digest!!  So, enjoy the info… I hope that it feeds your soul, as writing it did for me!

Bon Appetit,

Kathy

Michelle Aguillar, winner of the Biggest Loser said: “I remember standing on the scale, trembling on the inside, thinking, I hope nobody sees how freaked out I am. Now I’m like, you want to put my weight on my shirt? I’ll do it. It’s just a number, it doesn’t define me.”

In our society, It can be very easy to get caught up in the numbers. After all, almost everything we eat is labeled. (Except for natural whole foods.) We can become obsessed with the calories, carbs, fat grams, etc. Did our ancestors from years ago have that information? Of course not. And the level of obesity back then was less than it is now.

It would seem that the most “important” number of all, is the number on your bathroom scale. But what does that number signify? Gravity? Even nutritionists admit the body mass index (which tells us what our weight “should” be) is innacurate. That index does not take into account your muscle mass and bone density. After all, you are unique. There is absolutely no one like you.

The truth is, you are a powerful spiritual being with dignity, direction and purpose. And in reality – you are three parts: Mind, Body and Soul. But when you become highly focused on the numbers, it can become easy to lose sight of who you really are. That sense of being disconnected from who you are can lead to the weight imbalance.

The key to finding balance is to start by letting go of your grip on the numbers and the deprivation, which can negatively impact your body/mind/soul, and will result in the yo-yo effect if weight loss followed by weight gain. Instead, take a look at your needs, and how you feel on the inside. That will help you to begin to satisfy yourself from the inside out. And ultimately, your eating habits will become more balanced and so will your weight.

It’s time to lose the diet. Stop calculating, and start connecting.

Get the award-winning book Lose the Diet now at: http://www.amazon.com/Lose-Diet-Transform-Connecting-Soul/dp/0982183100/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1277592174&sr=8-1

Test post for inspiration category