How Does Counting Calories Help With Weight Loss?

Calories do Count

• About 25 years ago there was a popular theory contending calories don't count. Today it's just a myth as dieters realize it's just not true. Although they're not tangible, calories exist and are connected to everything we eat and do. Because calories do count, dieters need to be aware of what they eat, know the number of calories needed to lose weight and how to count them.

What Is a Calorie?

• By definition, a calorie is a unit to measure heat; however, it's mostly considered when calculating food energy. Both food and water are measured in calories. When you take in more calories than needed, they turn into fat and you gain weight. Conversely, you lose weight when you consume fewer calories than is needed to maintain your weight. That's why it's important to count calories if you want to lose weight.

Calories and Weight Loss

• Most dieters want to know how many calories they can consume to lose weight. A pound of fat equals 3,500 calories. To lose a pound a week, you need to burn 500 more calories (or eat 500 fewer calories) than the number needed to maintain your weight. This figure is derived by dividing seven (number of days in a week) into 3,500 (calories in a pound of fat.). To lose two pounds a week, you'll need to subtract 1,000 calories from your usual calorie intake.

  As for how many calories you need, this depends by how much you weigh and other factors such as age, health and metabolism. Everyone is different when it comes to calorie limits needed for weight loss. The more weight you have to lose, the larger your calorie intake because you need more fuel to run your body. Diet programs and online calculators for men and women (See Resources) can help determine the exact calories needed to to lose weight safely.