Q: How many calories do I need for weight loss?
A: Calorie reduction is critical for weight loss. Below are a variety of ways to set your calorie goal. Some people use an online food tracker like MyFitnessPal, which will calculate your calorie needs based on your height, weight, age, gender, level of physical activity, and weight goals. Dietitians use formulas like the Mifflin St. Jeor equation to estimate a patient's needs. Most dietitians caution against reducing calories below 1,200 per day for women, or 1,600 per day f
Q: I've been working out. Why aren't I losing weight?
A: Physical activity is essential in maintaining a healthy weight and metabolism. However, if you are trying to lose weight, reducing calorie intake while maintaining a well-balanced diet is still the primary consideration in weight loss. These days, it seems many people are laser-focused on limiting carbs, increasing protein or looking for hidden sugars. Counting calories seems to have fallen out of fashion. Take "Beth," for example. She had been working out with a trainer
Q: What is my ideal weight?
A: Ideal body weight formulas and BMI charts are often used when discussing weight. However, they are often not useful for setting realistic weight loss goals. Instead, ask yourself these three questions to determine what a healthy weight is for you. In school, students preparing for a career in health care are taught a specific math formula to calculate ideal body weight (IBW). The calculation is based on height and gender. Here's the problem. Often, when patients hear that