Sunday, January 2, 2011

How To Cut Calories

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Learning how to cut calories dramatically is the only way to lose some serious weight. You need to be able to burn more calories than you consume in order to reduce your weight. In this post you will learn some practical ways you can cut calories starting today.

One pound of body weight is equal to 3500 calories. So that means you would have to reduce your calorie consumption by 3500 calories to lose one pound. It just doesn't seem worth the trouble just to lose one  lousy pound. But if you just focus on losing one pound a week then you would only have to cut about 500 calories each day. That still sounds like a bunch, but read on and you'll learn how to burn calories on a daily basis.

First, you must realize that if your body requires about 2000 calories a day to function naturally, then if you are consistently consuming 2500 calories a day then you are gaining one pound per week. That's about 50 pounds in a year! But if you were to consistently consume only 1500 calories per day then that means you could lose about 50 pounds in a year. So it is critical that you manage your calorie consumption on a daily and weekly basis.

Starting a diet of counting calories each day can seem like a dreadful task and it's one of the reasons why it is hard to lose weight for most people. So it's best to think of dieting in a positive way. Just look at it as a new way of eating and living. Just change some of your eating habits and you will cut calories naturally without having to focus on counting them all the time. Just read on and follow the basic advice I have for you.


So, the first thing you can do is drink plenty of water. Guess what? Water has absolutely zero calories. So drinking water is great for helping you cut calories. If you drink lots of water a little while before each meal, then you will feel "fuller" and this could help prevent you from overating. Eliminate all sodas and sweet juice drinks and replace them with water and you will cut calories like crazy!

Now, if you're really into fatty meals like cheeseburgers, french fries, and pizza then you already know you eventually have to replace them with better foods. First just try to eat half of what you're eating now. For instance, today if you go get a cheeseburger, only eat half of it. Or eat half of your french fries, or half of the amount of pizza you usually eat. 



This way you are already cutting half of your normal calorie intake. Just simply reducing your meal portions is one of the easiest ways to start losing weight.  Some of these fatty meals consist of 500 or more calories, so cutting your meal portions in half could cut your daily consumption about 200 to 300 calories.

Eventually, you're going to have to replace fast food with better quality stuff. You know, something like grilled chicken, fish, vegetables, and salads - go very easy on the dressing. 



You have to plan your snacks if you want to be successful. Instead of being caught unprepared and grabbing chips, cookies, and candy bars, make sure to pack some fruit, nuts, celery, and other lowfat, low calorie snacks.

Now don't forget about exercise. I know the other day I did sixty minutes on the elliptical machine and burned about 600 calories. Doing that alone and you could lose a pound a week. But it is important that you gradually develop a fitness plan for yourself. If you're not already into working out then just start with three days a week and eventually up to five days a week.

Now, it is important to keep in mind a couple of things when cutting calories while trying to lose weight: First, be sure to cut your calorie intake gradually - no starving. If you body senses a sudden and dramatic decrease in calorie consumption it could switch into "starvation mode" and begin storing calories as fat. It's better to gradually reduce calorie consumption and mix in some exercise. 



Second, you need to reduce sodium (contained in salt) to a minimum. Sodium is like a sponge that causes your body to absorb and retain water, causing you to look bloated.

By drinking more water, eating better quality foods,  and managing your meal portions you will be able to cut calories like you never have.    


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