Striving to maintain a healthy weight is a concern of many women. Counting calories and being conscientious of what is put into your body is a good start to obtaining and keeping a healthy body. Numerous women, however, fail to take into consideration inidividual physical aspects in the equation of calculating caloric intake goals.
Body Types
People come in all shapes and sizes. Most of this is genetic; a person's height or body frame cannot be changed. Just as people's frames are different, a person's caloric needs vary as well. For example, a 5-foot-10 inch woman needs to consume more calories during a day than a 5-foot-two inch woman. Both women have a different ideal caloric intake amount to maintain a healthy weight.
Time Frame
From childhood to adulthood, the average woman's need for calories changes. For instance, a teenager may need more calories to maintain a healthy weight than a 33-year-old woman. At a point in adulthood, a woman's caloric needs change as her metabolic rates change. Usually at an age near 30, caloric needs will slowly begin to decrease and will continue to change as you age.
Physical Activity
Adding physical activities to your healthy daily routine is always a smart idea. Exercise helps to relieve stress, helps to maintain a strong immune system and strengthens and tones your body. Exercise also uses calories, meaning a woman who exercises regularly can theoretically consume more calories and still maintain a healthy weight. Exercising boosts your metabolism and the muscle created while exercising helps your body to burn even more calories -- even after you have finished exercising for the day.
Considerations
Although the United States Department of Agriculture bases percent daily values of foods on a 2,000 calorie a day diet for women, this is a guideline and should be adjusted according to age and physical activity. A highly active young woman may require more calories per day and an inactive older woman may require less calories. However, before an changing your daily caloric intake, you should consult your physician or other health care provider. A drastic decrease in daily caloric intake may have serious health implications and should be approved beforehand by a doctor.
Benefits
The benefits of setting a healthy caloric intake goal help women identify and maintain a healthy weight. Adjusting these goals as age and physical activity levels change ensures that you continue to live a healthy life at your optimum weight.
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