We are what we eat!

Despite all the protestations to the contrary, unless we have some alarming and serious medical condition, our bodyweight and physical appearance is regulated by a strict correlation between the amount we eat and drink, and the amount of energy we expend.


Energy intake is best described, and managed, by the number of calories we ingest on a daily basis, aggregated  over a period of time in order to reach an average. We all have a maintenance diet which will keep us at the same weight and body-fat content, if we eat the same number of calories daily, and expend the same amount of energy each and every day. This for men is approximately 2200 calories, and for a woman approximately 2000 calories. These are essentially only guideline figures as we are all different and metabolise our food and drink intake at different rates.


Using a similar all-embracing generality, if we eat 3500 calories in excess of our maintenance diet, we will increase our bodyweight by one pound (1lb). Thus, 500 calories a day eaten or drunk in excess of our maintenance diet, will result at the end of seven days (1 week) a weight gain of 1lb. Equally, if we exercise in excess of our maintenance requirement, we will burn extra calories by the amount of exercise we do and its intensity. Thus, 500 calories per day expended in the gym or other physical activity, will reduce our weight by 1lb over the course of a week.


This basic information is remarkably accurate and should be used as a guide to achieve your ideal weight and body-fat composition.