How Many Calories Does it Takes to Lose a Pound?

Calories provide our bodies with energy. However, an excess of calories can cause weight gain. To lose one pound, you must burn 3,500 calories. This can be done by eating healthier, reducing the amount of food you eat or by exercising.

Calories

A calorie is a unit of energy supplied by food, the Centers for Disease Control explain. All calories are the same, regardless of the food they come from. However, every food item contains a different amount of calories,

Calories in 1 Pound

According to the Mayo Clinic, there are 3,500 calories in one pound of fat. To lose 1 pound in one week, you need cut 500 calories per day, or burn an extra 500 calories each day.

Cutting Calories

Reducing your daily calories is not as difficult as it might seem. You can cut calories by following simple steps like skipping a high-calorie treat, replacing high-calorie foods with healthier options and reducing portion size, the Mayo Clinic suggests.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Balancing Calories
• Mayo Clinic: Counting calories: Get back to weight-loss basics