Calories are not created equal

Question
I was just wondering about calorie intake. I have looked at a few sites that both calculate my current calorie needs to maintain my weight to be 2400. then to lose with 75 minutes of exercise 5-6 days a week I need to eat around 2200 to lose weight. I know you should only aim to lose 1-2 pounds a week, but I want to for sure be close to the 2 pounds a week. I am currently trying to do about 1500 calories a day, but am afraid if they is too little. Where's the happy medium that will give me enough nutrition, but not anything extra. I know lowering the caloric intake 500 calories day for a week should be enough to lose 1 pound a week. This make me think I should be eating around 1400 to lose 2 pounds a week. However, I am ecxercising a lot, 30 minutes strenght training and 45 minutes cardio every day (well 5-6 days). How can I figure this out to get maximum results?


Answer
Rebecca,

The way calories work is not based on arithmetics. The good part of it is, that you can find a way of eating that regulates your energy balance without relying on will power, accuracy versus subconscious cheating, or ability to live with the sense of deprivation.


The difficult part of it is, that you should re-educate yourself basing on firm scientific facts rather than simplistic and outdated (and overly popularized) information. You might want to read these articles:

Calorie deficit to lose 10 lb... and a totally different approach
http://atkinszone.com/faq/2007/01/calorie-deficit-to-lose-10-lb.html

Calories and Low Carb Diets
http://bantadiet.com/banta/?page_id=42

Why Calorie Counting Doesn't Work for Weight Loss
http://atkinszone.com/did-you-know/2006/09/calorie-counting-is-best-weight-loss....

About Negative Calorie Balance: eat less, burn more?
http://atkinszone.com/faq/2007/11/negative-calorie-balance-eat-500-less.html

The "3500 calories to lose a pound" idea
http://atkinszone.com/fat_loss/2007/10/3500-calories-to-lose-pound.html


Tanya Zilberter

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