Gaining and losing weight is a gradual process. If you consume as many calories as you expend, you will maintain your weight. Many people cut calories through dieting in hopes of losing weight; others increase their food intake in an effort to gain weight.
Definition of a Calorie
Calories are the energy units in food; your body uses this energy to function, the Mayo Clinic explains. Carbohydrates, fat and protein are the nutrients that contain energy units. Carbohydrates and proteins contain 4 calories per gram while fats contain 9 calories per gram. Calories that you consume are either used by the body for energy, or are stored as fat and saved for later use.
Basics of Losing and Gaining Weight
Losing weight comes down to burning more calories than you take in. The body burns calories every day while at rest for metabolic processes and to break down food. You may burn additional calories by engaging in physical activity. Gaining weight is a matter of consuming more calories than you burn off, the Mayo Clinic explains.
Calories in a Pound
There are 3,500 calories in one pound of fat. Therefore, to gain one pound in one week, you will have to take in 500 more calories a day than you do now, the Mayo Clinic calculates. Everyone burns a different amount of calories every day based on genetics, exercise habits, weight, age, gender and body composition.
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