Weight Loss Tools Of The Trade

Weight loss can be challenging if you don't have the right weight loss tools to help you along your journey. Tools are used everyday to help us complete simple tasks like fixing a loose door handle, heating up foods or even sending a letter to a friend. We think nothing of using a screw driver, computer or even a microwave. These are just part of the everyday tools we use.

However, when it comes to losing weight people often don't think in terms of weight loss tools to aid us in reaching our goals. Instead they think only in terms of eating healthy, exercising and finding good exercise and weight loss tips. So if we are willing to use tools for everyday tasks, why do so many people not take advantage of weight loss tools to help them lose weight?

Weight Loss Tools - What are they?

Most people don't take advantage of these tools because they simply do not know what they are or which tools are right for them. Tools, as defined on Wikipedia, are "a device or piece of equipment which typically provides a mechanical advantage in accomplishing a physical task". I define weight loss tools a little more loosely. To me a weight loss tool is any document, calculator or software that can help you track, record, calculate information you need to lose weight.

You could expand on this definition, making it wide open, by saying anything, rather it be a weight loss tip or weight loss program, can be considered a weight loss tool. After all, anything that helps you accomplish your task can be considered a tool. So instead of going it alone, you want to look for weight loss tools that will help you lose the weight and keep it off.

Which Weight Loss Tools are Right for You?

When it comes to finding weight loss tools, there are literally hundreds or even thousands, depending on how you define a tool for helping you lose weight. So how do you know which ones you should look for and which ones you need? Although weight loss can be difficult, the formula for weight loss is actually quite simple; consume fewer calories than you burn. In other words, you need to create a calorie deficit.

BMR Calculator / Weight Loss Calculator

In order to create a calorie deficit you first need to understand how many calories you currently burn. Your basal metabolic rate, or BMR, is the amount of calories you burn while at total rest, like sleeping or sitting in a chair. However, we typically do not spend our entire 24 hours sleeping or resting, so a BMR calculator or weight loss calculator will factor in an activity level. These calculators generally have a selection for activity levels that include sedentary, lightly active all the way to highly active.

Other factors used in the BMR calculator are your gender, age, height and weight. These factors are used as each person's metabolic rate depends on these. For instance, someone who is taller tends to have a higher metabolism. This is because they generally have a higher amount of muscle mass. Additionally, as we age our metabolism tends to slow down, so age is also needed for the calculation. The bottom line is you first need to know how many calories you burn through your metabolism. Then and only then can you begin to create a calorie deficit.

Calorie Intake Calculator / Exercise Calculator

Once you know your BMR calories you can start creating a calorie deficit. This can be done by either consuming fewer calories, exercising more or a combination of both. In order to help you create your calorie deficit there are two weight loss tools you may need. The first, a calorie intake calculator, will help you calculate the number of calories in the foods you eat. These calculators generally have a way to search for food items and select serving sizes. Once you have provided this information these calculators will tell you how many calories are in the specific food item for the specific serving size.

The next weight loss tool to look for is an exercise calculator. These calculators typically have several different exercises to choose from, level of intensity and of course the ability to input the duration. With this information the calculator will return the approximate number of calories burned during your exercise routine.

So you can see that it is easy to create your calorie deficit once you have all the tools to give you the right calorie information. However, unless you want to track this in your head daily, there is one more weight loss tool that I would recommend.

Calorie Intake Chart

This is one weight loss tool that you can create yourself or find one for free online that you can download and save to your computer. What you want to look for or create is a document, such as Microsoft Excel, where you can track it all. The file should include the ability to write down the foods you eat and their calorie content, the exercises you did and how many calories you burned and of course factoring in your basal metabolic rate. With all this information you can easily have the document calculate your calorie deficit for the day. If you really want to get fancy, add daily, weekly and even monthly charts that track your weight, inches lost, etc.

Although there are many other weight loss tools, with just these simple tools mentioned above you are well on your way to achieving your weight loss goals. All of these tools can be found on the web and are often free. You can even download certain files or even look for weight loss software that provides it all.

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