Calories provide energy you need for daily activities. When trying to lose weight, the calories you take in should be fewer than the calories you burn, but there is a limit beyond which you should not go unless under medical supervision.
Calorie Limits
Women should not consume less than 1,200 calories a day for health, according to the Harvard Medical School publication "HEALTHbeat." For men, the lower limit is 1,500 calories per day. Any lower, and you should be under the care of a medical professional.
Determining Calories Needed
For a rough estimate of calories needed to maintain your current weight, simply multiply your weight by 15 if you are moderately active and 12 if you are not. To lose weight safely at 1 to 2 lbs. per week, create a calorie deficit of 500 to 1,000 calories a day through a combination of diet and exercise.
Calorie Balance
Having a balance of the right amount of calories over time helps you maintain a healthy weight. If you eat too few calories one day, make up for it another day. If you eat too many calories, reduce the amount you have the following day.
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