26 Aug What is a calorie?
We often hear things like: calories in versus calories out, count your calories,and/or do not exceed your daily recommended calories. We kind of know what a calorie is, but still question it. Okay, here’s the textbook definition of a calorie: calorie- is used to measure the energy value of foods. The measurement equals the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by one degree celsius at a pressure of one atmosphere. WOW! And we are supposed to count that?!
The foods we eat and drink make up our calories. Sodas also have calories but we refer to them as “empty calories” because they add no nutritional value. The calories from our food are turned into the fuel we use for energy to get through the day and perform our daily activities. The daily recommended calories for males are 2500 and females are 2000. Children, sedentary people, and older adults require fewer calories per day. So these things we call calories measure the amount of energy in a food.
We all require energy to live and everything we do comes from the energy in a form of a calorie. No matter the form of the calorie you consume, whether through solid food or from liquids, if you consume more than you burn you will gain weight. One pound is equal to approximately 3500 calories. Knowing this it takes 3500 calories burned more than consumed to lose 1 pound of weight. I hope I do not have you completely confused here because this next sentence is the key point. Reducing your caloric intake and/or burning a total of 500 calories a day will lead to a 1 pound loss each week- a healthy and sustainable rate to lose weight. The most important thing to remember is to not cut calories too drastically. Not only can it “backfire” and actually prevent weight loss, doing so puts your health at risk. We offer nutritional advice and nutritional supplements through Advocare to help with sports performance, weight loss, increase in energy, and overall wellness.
HUMAN PERFORMANCE TRAINING CLASS SCHEDULE: Tuesday through Friday at 5:15 AM, Tuesday and Thursday at 5:30 PM, and Saturday morning at 9AM. For more information on what all we offer contact us at Pro Physical Therapy at 662-282-4949.
By Cory Lee, LPTA, RRCA-Running Coach, Crossfit L-1 Coach
Kimberly Lee, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Resources:
http://www.advocare.com/science/articles/nutrition/06.aspx
Merrill, A. L., and B. K. Watt. Energy Values of Foods . . . Basis and Derivations. USDA
Agriculture Handbook No. 74. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1973.
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