Safe way to lose weight. :)

What Is A Calorie?

A calorie is a measurement created to represent the amount of energy contained in either the food (fuel) we put in or the energy (life and movement) we take out. One pound of fat is equivalent to 3,500 calories of fuel / energy. Put in 3,500 calories more than you need and you will put on 1 pound of weight, take out 3,500 calories of energy more than you put in and you will lose 1 pound of weight.
All calorie controlled weight loss programs are based around recording and understanding how many calories you put in to your body verses how many you expend as energy output and creating a deficit, i.e. less in than out. The act of recording the calories makes us very conscious of what we put in and take out of our bodies. Being aware of the facts puts us back in control so we can make changes and build these changes into permanent habits, such as reducing our portion size or increasing our exercise level.
In today’s world with convenience food it is all too easy to end up providing our body with more fuel than it needs. Technology has also removed the need for us to expend as much energy in every-day routine tasks, just think about what we would have done before we had:

• Washing Machines
• Dishwashers
• Vacuum Cleaners
• TVs
• Computers
• Cars

These are all essential elements of today’s life but each one of them means we dont need to move as much or use as much energy as people would have done previously.

How To Lose Weight Safely & Sustainably?

How to Lose Weight Safely:

In order to effectively lose weight you need to do it in a safe controlled manor, any calorie values mentioned on this or any website are always averages, the safest way is always to start by consulting your physician.
That said, when you create a calorie deficit of the correct amount you will burn fat, however make that deficit too large (i.e. not eating enough) and your body will think you are starving and lower the rate at which it burns energy, your body will also start to burn muscle instead of fat, if in future you put weight on again you will end up with a higher fat percentage than you started.
Unless under medical supervision don’t drop your calorie intake lower than 1,200 calories per day for a woman or 1,800 for a man and do not try to lose more than 2lbs per week. The average ideal calorie deficit is typically between 500 and 1000 calories per day which equates out to 1 to 2 pounds of weight loss per week.