Is losing weight as simple as burning more calories than you eat?

Tipping the scale. Your weight is a balancing act, but the equation is simple: If you eat more calories than you burn, you gain weight. And if you eat fewer calories and burn more calories through physical activity, you lose weight.

What happens if I burn more calories than I consume?

You gain weight when you eat more calories than you burn — or burn fewer calories than you eat. While it is true that some people seem to be able to lose weight more quickly and more easily than others, everyone loses weight when they burn up more calories than they eat.

Why do you need more calories if you exercise a lot or are very active?

The more muscles you have, the bigger your resting energy expenditure, which means that your body burns more calories “while doing nothing”. If weight loss is your goal, including strength training into your exercise routine is important.

Is eating less calories the same as burning calories?

Cutting calories appears to promote weight loss more effectively than does increasing exercise. The key to weight loss is to consume fewer calories than you burn. For most people, it’s possible to lower calorie intake to a greater degree than it is to burn more calories through increased exercise.

How important are calories in vs calories out when losing weight?

If you’ve ever tried to lose weight, you’ve probably heard about the importance of “calories in versus calories out.” This concept is based on the idea that as long as you eat fewer calories than you burn, you’re bound to lose weight.

What happens when you burn more calories than you take in?

As you burn more calories than you take in, you set up a caloric deficit, which can result in weight loss. You can reduce calorie intake by eating healthier or less food, or you can bump up energy expenditure by increasing exercise.

Is being on a calorie deficit the best way to lose weight?

Being on a caloric deficit is one of the tried and true ways to lose weight. Many experts and doctors will tell you that the first step to shedding a couple of extra pounds is to cut down on how much you eat and aim to burn more calories than you consume.

What is the relationship between metabolism and weight loss?

Metabolism and weight. You gain weight when you eat more calories than you burn — or burn fewer calories than you eat. While it is true that some people seem to be able to lose weight more quickly and more easily than others, everyone loses weight when they burn up more calories than they eat.