Daily Caloric Intake and Losing Weight the Healthy Way - Part 2

Once you have an idea of what your daily caloric intake should be based on the previous post you can then make your weight loss plan.

3,500 calories = 1 lbs.

This means that you need to consume 3,500 less or burn 3,500 more in order to lose 1 lbs. Based on the previous posts 1/2 - 2 lbs. a week are examples of healthy and maintainable weight loss.

Let's take a look at two examples of how you can adjust your individual weight loss plan to achieve your weight loss goals.

Example 1
Female 
BMR: 1,800 kcal
Physical Activity Level: Moderate Activity Level (Exercises 3 days a week for at least 30 min.)
Daily Caloric Intake: 2,520 calories a day (to maintain current weight)

In order to lose 1 lbs. a week this female needs to consume 500 calories less or burn 500 calories more from exercise a day in order to lose 1 lbs. a week. She could also do a combination of both consuming less and exercising more (i.e. consume 250 calories less burn 250 calories more). Having a 500 calorie deficit each day will result in the 3,500 calorie deficit for the week resulting in the 1 lbs. weight loss.

Option 1: Exercise
This female could eat her recommended 2,520 calories and exercise more to burn the extra 500 calories.
Option 2: Nutrition
She could also eat 2,000 calories a day to achieve the 1 lbs. a week weight loss goal.
Option 3: Combination of Exercise and Nutrition
She could eat 2,270 calories per day and burn 250 calories more through exercise.

*NOTE: ALL these options keep her daily caloric intake above her BMR.


Example 2
Male
BMR: 2,200 kcal
Physical Activity Level: High Activity Level (Exercises 5 days a week for at least 30 min.)
Daily Caloric Intake: 3,300 calories a day (to maintain current weight)

In order to lose 2 lbs. a week this male needs to consume 1,000 calories less or burn 1,000 calories more from exercise a day in order to lose 2 lbs. a week. He could also do a combination of both consuming less and exercising more (i.e. consume 500 calories less burn 500 calories more). Having a 1,000 calorie deficit each day will result in the 7,000 calorie deficit for the week resulting in the 2 lbs. weight loss.

Option 1: Exercise
This male could eat his recommended 3,300 calories and exercise more to burn the extra 1,000 calories.
Option 2: Nutrition
He could also eat 2,300 calories a day to achieve the 2 lbs. a week weight loss goal.
Option 3: Combination of Exercise and Nutrition
He could eat 2,800 calories per day and burn 500 calories more through exercise.

*NOTE: ALL these options keep his daily caloric intake above his BMR.