When calculating calories to maintain weight, the first step is determining the amount of calories burned throughout the day. To maintain a certain weight, you need to consume approximately the same amount of calories burned. It's estimated that 3,500 calories equals a pound of fat, so eating too much or too little will cause weight fluctuations. Once burned calories are calculated, you can count meal calories to maintain a certain weight.
Active Male
Activity plays a role in the amount of calories burned. Activity is defined as moderate or intensive, but activity increases the amount of calories needed per day. A moderately active man typically burns 15 calories per pound. This means that for each pound on the body, with a moderate walk, jog or other exercise regimen, a man will burn 15 calories per pound throughout the day even while inactive. If an active man wants to maintain a certain weight, multiply 15 by his weight. This will provide the amount of calories needed to maintain his current weight.
Active Female
Women burn fewer calories per pound. Increasing activity helps women burn more calories than those who keep sedentary lifestyles. It's estimated that women burn approximately 12 calories per pound when moderately active. A women should exercise at least 30 minutes a day to stay active and reduce the chance of heart disease and obesity. For example, a woman who stays moderately active and weighs 120 pounds will burn 1440 calories even when inactive during the day. This is the amount of calories needed to maintain her current weight.
Inactive People
Inactive men and women burn much lower amounts of calories every day. If you maintain a sedentary lifestyle, you can easily can gain weight. Inactivity contributes to obesity and heart and pulmonary conditions. Exercise helps people avoid weight gain, and it is good for overall health. A man who is inactive will burn approximately 13 calories per pound. A woman who is inactive will only burn approximately 10 calories per pound. For instance, an inactive woman who weighs 120 pounds only burns 1,200 calories, which is easily exceeded in daily meals. However, this is the limitation of caloric intake to maintain the 120 pound weight.



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