If I take in 2,000 calories a day, do I have to burn 2,000+ to lose a pound?

Question

I read that you need to burn more calories than you take in, in order to lose weight. So if you're on an average 2,000 calorie a day diet, you have to burn 2,001 or more calories to lose a pound?

I know you burn calories all day doing meaningless things, but my treadmill claims I only work off about 200 calories if I walk on it for about 1/2 hour. So that means I need to burn an additional 1,800 calories in a day to lose one pound? Geesh!

Answer 1

Yes, to maintain your weight you have to burn the same amount of calories you take in. Therefore, to lose weight, you must burn more than you take in. How many calories you take in depends on how much you weigh and how much exercise you do.

For example, I weigh 130. With little to no exercise, I should only take in 1300 (no activity)-1600 (low activity) calories a day. If I am very active, I can take in up to 1800 calories a day. These are good, healthy calories (not from sugars and fats, but protiens, good carbs, and fruits/veggies).You can get a chart from your local gym that can help you out.

Also remember, the more you exercise, the more calories you burn throughout the day while doing normal activities(resting, sleeping, walking throughout your house, ect.).

Answer 2

you need to burn more than you take in, remember though that you burn calories just sitting around, an average of 2,000 throughout the day. So don't think you need to work off 2000+ calories a day any extra work you do goes towards the effort of loosing weight. It takes something like 1600 calories to loose 1 pound. Averge work out you burn 600 calories so you would loose 2-3 pounds every week, if you stick to a 2000 calorie intake of food.

Answer 3

You have to burn 3200-3500 cal to lose a pound.

DO NOT FREAK. Right now reading this you are burning calories. If you eat 2,000 calories a day, on a balanced meal plan, don't worry about burning more calories. (note: the more you burn the faster you lose) You actually seem to be on the right track (or treadmill).

www.mypyramid.gov is an excellent place to figure out what and when should be in your 2000 cal diet.

Good luck, and keep it up!

Answer 4

It's dangerous to be burning that much with that low amount of calories. Swimmers, bikers, runners, athelets they all burn high amounts of calories and are healthy but that is because they eat more food then 2000 calories. The body needs 1000 just to survive, so eat 1500, and burn 500 a day, you will lose 1 pound a week, that is good.

Answer 5

Yes, you have to burn more calories than you take in in order to loose weight. That is why people cut back on their calories when dieting. If you want to loose weight you should only be consuming about 1200 calories a day and burning at least 1300.

Answer 6

You have to burn 3500 calories more than you take in to lose a pound of fat. Which means you would have to burn the 2000 you ate plus 3500 more equalling 5500 calories.

Answer 7

like everyone's been saying, you're gonna need to eat less than 2000 calories. just remember the number of calories is not as important as where those calories are coming from. if you only eat 1000 cal. a day, but it was all from chips, chocolate, and stuff like that, you won't be healthy. get your calories from carbs and proteins, not fats. and the secret weapon food............. celery! you actually burn more calories eating it than there are in the celery to begin with!!

Answer 8

get casual for 4 days a study shows that people take 491 more steps and burn 25 more calories on days they wear jeans to work

Answer 9

to lose a pound of weight you need to burn 3500 calories more than what you consume, it is not recommended to do this in one day.

Answer 10

That's not really how it works. But if you're trying to lose weight you shouldn't be eating so many calories.