Calories in vs Calories out doesnt completely make sense to me. Can you assist?

Question

It seems that if cal in vs cal out was the case, everyone would be always gaining weight. When im on the tread mill for 30 minutes I burn 250 calories or so. It seems like in a normal day you cant really burn more than 1000 calories or so, walking around and going to work. I guessing the average person consumes 2500 calories a day. Why dont human gain weight every day? Are there lots of calories in poo or something. I dont get it

Answer 1

There is a very simple answer to your question. The vast majority of calories are used while you sleep. Pure fact. It takes alot of energy to repair the body and keep it's systems functioning properly. All this is done while you sleep. Don't forget that even while awake it takes energy(calories) for your body to perform basic functions. It takes a litte under 1000 calories a day just for a human to survive.

Answer 2

You burn calories constantly throughout the day - walking, sitting up, talking, typing, and even eating. Everyone burns calories at a different rate too. If you have a high metabolism, you burn lots of calories with minimal effort. If you exercise more intensely, you burn more calories. Calories are also burned in normal bodily functions such as breathing, digesting, etc. It adds up to much more than 1000 calories when you look at all the activities our bodies perform daily.

Answer 3

Everything you do burns calories. If you haven't noticed, there are alot of overweight people out there. When you burn calories, it doesn't go into your fat reserve unless you have not taken in enough calories. Some foods you eat automatically turn to fat. It really depends on each persons metabolism and genetic make up. Some people have very high metabolism and can eat and eat and all their calories are burnt up immediately. Some people have very low metabolism and can't burn enough calories. But you do burn calories even when you sleep. You would be surprised how many calories you burn doing chores. If you walk 1 hour on a treadmill, you can burn 3-400 calories walking at a pace of 3.6. Same goes for why do people age differently. We are all different.

Answer 4

I understand what you are saying but the concept "calories in vs. calories out" refers to the fact you have to burn more calories than you take in to lose weight.

Your body naturally burns calories even if you are doing nothing. You burn calories sleeping, sitting, vacuuming, mopping etc. naturally.

If you consume 2500 calories per day you should be moderately active. 2500 calories per day is too many for someone who doesn't do much or has a desk job. I would say 1800 calories per day would be more suitable for that person.

I would say anything less than 1200 calories per day is not healthy.

I hope this has been helpful.

Answer 5

I've included a link below to a website with a calories-in-food database. I subscribe, and have followed for years, to a very low carb diet. From the research I've read, it's the healthiest diet, most likely to not only keep weight down, but more importantly, to keep you young and prevent heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. The ratio I use is 20% calories from carbohydrates (at max), and 60% calories from protein (although you can easily handle more), with the balance coming from fat. Remember that carbs and proteins are 4 calories per 1 gram, and fats are 9 calories per 1 gram. So fats are more calorie-dense than the other sources of calories. Also, alcohol has calories that need to be taken into account if you drink. Many will say my diet / ratio is unhealthy, but I have been practicing this for the last 6 years, with extremely low cholesterol, very healthy blood pressure, improved mood, and healthy blood glucose and trigycleride levels. All my risk factors for heart disease and diabetes are nil, and they started improving after shifting to this diet, as well as my weight. Also, note that most of the protein and fat I take in comes from vegetaran sources - tofu, beans, vegetables, seitan, tempeh - and NOT meat. Eggs and cheese are on my menu too, but I counterbalance with flax seed oil so I have healthy omega-3 fats in the diet in excess of saturated fats.

Answer 6

To lose weight, you have to burn more calories then you take in. If you eat McDonalds for each meal and walk for 30 minutes, you will not burn enough calories to cancel out the McDonald's you ate. I've heard normal calorie intake is 1200. That means to lose weight, you have to burn MORE then 1200 calories.

Answer 7

Your body burns a certain amount of calories by just maintaining LIFE--breathing, heartbeat, making cells, etc all take energy--generally 1600 to 2500 calories a day.
You lose weight when you take in fewer calories, so your body burns stored energy (which is FAT) to make up the difference.
Hope that helps!

Answer 8

sitting and reading burns 36 cals an hour, and sleeping also burns cals. Breathing uses cals.
everything you do uses energy.

1500 to 2000 a day is more like it.