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Burning more calories than you consume isn't quite the formula to weight loss as almost everyone mistakenly believes. While there is a lot of truth to this, it is only effective to a certain point.

If the basic functions cannot be processed due to a lack of sufficient calories, the body eventually turns on itself as it reacts to starvation. Therefore it is important to learn just how many calories to lose weight are needed, whether you plan to burn the excess calories off through exercise, or simply cut them from your diet. If you want to optimize your weight loss safely, this method will allow you to see great weight loss results with little risk.

Your level of activity, sex, and age are all important to consuming or burning calories just as a variety of other factors are. Male individuals typically consume more calories than females do and older individuals have a tendency to consume less. Ideally, the number of calories that should be consumed hovers at around 1,500. To get an accurate figure, it is best to consult with your physician, however 1,500 can still be a good rough estimate that you can use for quick reference. They will no doubt be able to tell you how much you should ideally weigh, so just subtract that amount from your current weight and you'll know how many calories you will need to shed to lose weight.

Try to cut 500 calories from your current diet or burn that amount through exercise if you want to lose 1 pound of weight each week because every pound of fat is 3,500 calories. Ideally you can also do both, and you'll benefit from a faster metabolism that will help to burn even more fat as you go about your daily routines.

A carefully crafted diet is important to sustain weight loss. Although in order to lose weight, cutting or burning calories is necessary, it is also important to maintain at least the minimum calorie intake that your body needs to continue functioning throughout your everyday routines.

Leave a small allowance for the occasional treat such as a candy bar while trimming down your diet if you want to lose weight that quickly. Sticking to your dieting plan will greatly benefit from these occasional rewards, allowing you to stay motivated to your weight loss goals. The best way to succeed though is to improve upon small changes until you are able to reach and maintain your desired weight.