In the April '07 issue of EatingWell magazine that Mary gave us for a gift, I found a dieting plan with some useful information: one pound of fat contains about 3,500 calories. From this, it follows that one can lose a pound a week by cutting 500 calories a day from one's current diet. If one wants to lose more slowly, say a pound every two weeks, one can cut 250 calories a day.
A person starts by estimating how many calories it takes to maintain current weight. The formula for that is: current weight in pounds, times 12. With that information one can figure how long it will take to get to a desired weight.
A caveat: Should not eat fewer than 1,200 calories daily. To eat fewer is to risk not getting enough nourishment.
There is work involved: need to keep a food journal. That means you will have to buy a small book with calorie information, fat content, etc. in foods and portion sizes. Along with that you need a notebook to record what you eat. You record also the calories you expend through exercise. Add the calories taken in and subtract the calories expended and you will have a good idea of your progress.
You will need to keep (at least) a tablespoon and half-cup measures handy to gauge amounts you are eating. Also check food boxes for calorie info.
I am thinking of getting a digital food scale to be more accurate.
What caught my attention was the number of calories in a pound of fat (3,500). You can choose to use that information or not; but, once you know it, "It's out there," as Meg Ryan said in "Harry Met Sally".
