Diet Myths Busted

It’s one of the biggest weight loss myths ever: the idea that it’s “not safe” to lose more than two pounds a week.

It all boils down to simple mathematics. There are 3,500 calories in one pound of fat. Thus, in order to lose one pound of fat, you must create a caloric deficit of 3,500 calories. This can occur over a week’s time by cutting back 500 calories per day (7 days X 500 = 3,500).

Or, to put it another way, you can increase your physical activity such that you burn 500 more calories per day than what you’ve been burning. This can be accomplished by an inactive person committing to one hour a day of rigorous exercise.

If you’re eating 2,000 calories a day and especially if you’re not exercising, your body has no reason to start feeding off its own muscle. It gets plenty of protein from your broiled chicken and fish, beans and whole grains.

You will lose on average six pounds a week, for a number of weeks. And it will be safe. However…this doesn’t mean that this weight loss will persist until you get down to 130 pounds. In fact, if you don’t exercise, this weight loss will come to a halt at some point, leaving you with still extra fat to lose. You may end up losing only 40 pounds off a 250-pound body if you don’t exercise (or only 20 pounds off a 190-pound body). And you’ll still look flabby. This is why exercise is so important.