When It Comes to Calories, How Low Should You Go?

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Did you know that a "low-calorie diet" usually includes 1,500 to 1,800 calories a day? Many people mistakenly think they need to follow a diet of 1,000 calories or less to enjoy fast weight loss.

The truth of the matter is this: When you cut your calories dramatically, you have far better chance of getting sick than you do of enjoying lasting weight loss.

Eating 1,000 calories a day or less is basically a starvation diet... a diet that will spur your body to go into its defensive mode and stop burning fat altogether!

I've been monitoring the weight loss world for 11 years now. During that time, I've researched and written about just about every diet known to man. The best advice I can offer you is this:

You have to eat right to lose weight. Oh, and it helps to burn a few extra calories with fitness

According to WebMD.com, low-calorie diets are one of the five biggest dieting mistakes we make.

"When you ... consume too few calories, your body thinks it is starving and adjusts the metabolism," warns ADA spokeswoman Andrea Giancoli, MPH, RD.

"But when you go back to eating normally, your metabolism doesn't readjust and therefore you need fewer calories than before -- otherwise known as the yo-yo syndrome."

TheDietChannel.com notes: "Dieters (following a low-calorie diet) may in fact experience a number of side effects including fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, and constipation. There are also more severe complications that may arise such as gallstones if you lose weight too rapidly, so be sure to consult your doctor for an appropriate plan."

A few years back -- after my weight had ballooned to an all-time high of 250 -- I approached a dietitian friend for advice. She instructed me to eat 2,000 calories a day.

I was stunned and couldn't help but wonder, "How could I ever lose any weight eating that many calories?"

By adding in a fitness program or treadmill and free weights, I was able to drop significant weight while feasting on 2,000 calories a day.

In fact, I ended up losing 32 pounds overall.

Now someone who weighs 140 pounds should expect weight loss at 2,000 calories a day. The number of calories you can eat and lose weight is in proportion to your starting weight.

As you slim down, so too should your caloric intake.

You'll know when you need to adjust your calorie level and exercise. It's called a plateau -- that frustrating span of time where your scale needle refuses to budge!

Bottom line: If you are trying to slim quick while eating 800 calories a day: PLEASE STOP! You are doing yourself more harm than good.

The weight loss equation is a simple one: Great nutritious food + good exercise.

My preferred weight loss plan is Diet-to-Go.

I LOVE this meal plan. The casual observer would never know I am dieting. The food is good and plentiful!

I just had my breakfast of three whole grain pancakes with two turkey sausages and berry flavored maple syrup.

Lunch is fast approaching. On the menu: Three sausage and cheese-filled potato skins, plus a delicious wheatberry side salad and a yummy yogurt smoothie drink.

If you're in need of a "personal chef" to plan your meals, shop for the ingredients and then whip up gourmet recipes, you're in need of Diet-to-Go.

Diet-to-Go provides tasty, fulfilling food at a fair price and takes the stress and work out of eating right-- and that's a one-two punch that will kayo your extra weight fast!

Author: John McGran

Archived posts 2010

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