What is a good amount of calories to have?

Question

I read for someone my age should eat 1800 calories a day in order to be healthy of course that is a diet that includes veggies, fruits, whole grains, and healthy food like that. But, in order to lose some weight you should cut 500 calories, i am not really over weight but, would like to lose about 10 pounds, so considering the website where i read i should eat 1800 calories a day is saying that is healthy and though i am healthy i could be healthier but i am somewhat a little chubbie, you know what i mean? My question is should i cut 500 calories and exercise or should i eat 1800 calories and exercise? I'm a little confused, i keep hearing different things

Answer 1

Sounds about right. 1800 will maintain your current weight, unless you are eating much more than that right now.

Answer 2

Keep eating the same diet, ESPECIALLY if you start exercise. You do your body more harm than good if you cut calories when you exercise.

Your body needs a certain amount to live off of. When you cut that amount, yes it might shed some pounds over a year or two, but other than that, it might slow down your metablolism, or the calories it burns just to be you. By starting a workout, means your body has to burn more calories, so those calories might come from the fat stores that you have on you at the time, but if you cut the calorie intake at the same time, you are risking muscle deprivation.

Your muscles are the ones you want to have the calories, not your stored fat. By depriving muscles of energy when they need it might make your workout less than what you could do, or do less work. The work is what makes you lose weight, there is no easy way around it. The more work you do, or calories spent, is what makes those fat stores realease their energy, that is the key.

Finding the balance to what you eat vs what you exercise is the whole thing. Its not what some book says, its not what some internet guide says, its not what some informercial says, its how you perform while eating what you do. You might do really good eating minimally and exercising, but you are setting the tone for your muscles to behave that way, so be carefull what you cut diet in and also keep a good workout.

I know it might be overwhelming at first, but just follow what your body is telling you to do. If it wants food, then eat some more. Building muscle is important for me, though. It helps me burn muscle during the day when I'm not working out. I play tennis in the am, house mom in the pms.....etc.

Answer 3

I think you should exercise and listen to your body. How about you eat healthy food ONLY when you are hungry... that is not even a diet and once it becomes a habit you will never gain the weight you lose back. If your body stays hungry after 1800 calories or you feel really tired eat some more! It all depends on how much you exercise and how your body works... don't take the standards so seriously... they're just a base to grow upon.

Answer 4

If you are in need of dropping only about ten pounds, I'd suggest that you simply try to eat slightly smaller portions and exercise more. Park your car far away rather than next to the door, take the stairs rather than the elevator, walk a couple of laps around your building or up and down the stairs at you break times. Try to be aware of what and when you eat; make sure you're hungry and not just bored. Drink plenty of water, especially a glassful before your meals. Don't deprive yourself completely of the foods you love; just ask yourself if you want it now or if you'd rather save it for later. Limit yourself, but don't let yourself get too hungry, feel too deprived. Try to eat healthy but be reasonable. Good luck. I'm sure you'll do great!

Answer 5

Eat your 1800 calories, but do exercise regularly. And make sure that once you lose those unwanted pounds you don't stop exercising. Just because you shed the weight that doesn't mean it will stay off all by itself. Also, watch the sweet treats and fatty foods. It's OK to eat them, but only in small amounts and only occasionally.

Answer 6

what you gotta do is trick your body, eat ten meals with about 400 calories....that way you teach your body to only keep what you need, then every other day you have 15 meals with only 300 calories, after a while your body will learn to use what it needs and you will be much happier...as for the exercising only do things you love to do.. like watching tv and playing on the computor...in no time at all you will be a old bald fat man and no one will care if you are a little chubby.....(just add exercise and make wise choices with the calories you eat, ie... healthy foods)

Answer 7

Well, according to "research" you should have about 2,000 calories a day. But, it is always healthy to exercise. And, if you eat about 500 -700 calories a day, and exercise it will help lose wait and stay fit :)

Answer 8

Ya tommy should always be full. That means you have to be eating constantly with small portions throughout the day to prevent ya blood sugar level from either going too high or dropping too low.

Just do cardios and weight train consistently is enough man trust me you don't wanna eat less. Just eat right. You already know what foods are healthy.

peace home girl.

Edit: yeah Kaliroad is totally right on that one!! Don't starve yourself. It's just like eating too much. They are both wrong.

Answer 9

hey u just need to workout.. its not neccessary tht you shud cut ur diet but b strict abt the junk food.. take a glass og lemon water beofre going to sleep.. and u r on the verge of loosing a good amount of fat frm ur body... try it

Answer 10

2,000