10 ways to cut 500 calories a day: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

No matter what type of diet you follow, to lose weight you need to burn more calories than you take in each day. For most people with overweight, cutting about 500 calories a day is a good place to start. If you can eat 500 fewer calories every day, you should lose about a pound (450 g) a week.

Always talk with your health care provider to determine a healthy weight for you before starting a weight-loss diet.

Try these 10 ways to cut 500 calories every day. It is easier than you may think.

• Swap your snack. Many people reach for a snack or two in between meals. Snacking is fine as long as you choose options that will fill up with fewer calories. The key is to have some healthy snacks ready when hunger hits. Instead of a 3-ounce (85 g) bag of flavored tortilla chips (425 calories), choose a cup (250 mg) of air-popped popcorn (31 calories), a cup (250 mg) of grapes and a low-fat cheese stick or a small apple and 12 almonds (160 calories). Choosing healthy snacks twice a day will easily save you 500 calories.
• Cut one high-calorie treat. Try to remove one high-calorie food item each day. Whether it is a donut in the morning, a brownie or bag of chips at lunch, or chocolate cake after dinner, you will save 250 to 350 calories or more. To burn another 150 calories, take a 40-minute brisk walk after lunch or dinner.
• Do not drink your calories. One 12-ounce (355 mL) regular soda has about 150 calories, and a 16-ounce (475 mL) flavored latte can pack 250 calories or more. Even fruit smoothies have lots of calories, as many as 400 in a 16-ounce (475 mL) serving. A couple of sweet drinks a day can easily add up to 500 calories or more. Choose water, plain or flavored, sparkling water, or black coffee or tea instead and save your calories for foods that will help you feel full.
• Skip seconds. Taking a second helping can add up to unwanted calories. It is easy to keep filling your plate when you serve food family style on the table. Instead, fill your plate once and keep extras in the kitchen. Or, if you still do not feel satisfied, add a second helping of vegetables, fruit, or salad.
• Make low calorie substitutions. Substitute lower-calorie options for some of your high-calorie favorites. For example, if a recipe calls for a cup (250 mL) of sour cream (444 calories), use plain low-fat yogurt or Greek yogurt instead (154 calories).
• Ask for a doggie bag. The portions at most restaurants are much larger than recommended serving sizes. Instead of cleaning your whole plate, ask the server to put half in a container for you to take home for another meal. You can also share an entrée with a friend, or make a meal out of an appetizer and a large salad. Just be sure to go easy on the dressing and fried toppings.
• Just say “no” to fried food. Frying food adds lots of unhealthy calories and saturated fat to any dish. Instead of fried chicken or fish, choose grilled, broiled, or poached instead. And skip the French fries. A large serving of fries alone can add almost 500 calories to a meal. Instead, see if you can substitute for the vegetable of the day or a side salad.
• Build a thinner pizza. Skip the meat toppings, extra cheese, and deep-dish crust, and have a couple slices of thin-crust vegetable pizza instead. You will save a little over 500 calories.
• Use a plate. Eat all food from a plate or bowl, including snacks. When you snack out of a bag or box, it is easy to eat more than you intend to. This is especially true if you are sitting in front of the TV. You may be surprised to learn that a large bag of chips could be more than 1000 calories. Instead, place one portion in a bowl, and put the rest away.
• Avoid alcohol. Cutting back on alcohol is an easy way for many people to trim calories. Alcohol does not have any nutritional value, so when you imbibe (drink) alcohol, you are getting empty calories, up to 500 for some mixed drinks made with syrupy sweeteners, fruit juices, and ice cream or heavy cream. If you do order a drink, choose a 12-ounce (355 mL) light beer (103 calories) or a 5-ounce (145 mL) glass of wine (120 calories).

Weight loss – 500 calories; Overweight – 500 calories; Obesity – 500 calories; Diet – 500 calories

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Eat more, weigh less? www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/energy_density.html. Updated June 3, 2022. Accessed June 18, 2022.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. How to avoid portion size pitfalls to help manage your weight. www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/portion_size.html. Updated June 3, 2022. Accessed June 18, 2022.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Rethink your drink. www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/drinks.html. Updated June 7, 2022. Accessed June 18, 2022.

U.S. Department of Agriculture; Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central. fdc.nal.usda.gov. Updated April 2022. Accessed July 1, 2020.

Updated by: Stefania Manetti, RD/N, CDCES, RYT200, My Vita Sana LLC – Nourish and heal through food, San Jose, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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Low-Calorie Diet | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

• What is the low-calorie diet?
• Are there other names for this diet?
• How does this diet help people who are undergoing cancer treatment?
• What are the basic guidelines of the low-calorie diet?
• What are the foods you can eat on the low-calorie diet?
• What are foods to avoid on the low-calorie diet?
• Are there medications to avoid while on this diet?
• What are some of the common complaints from people on the low-calorie diet, and how do you solve them?
• What are some tips for people on this diet?

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The low-calorie diet is an eating plan used to help people lose weight. It involves limiting the overall number of calories you eat or drink in a day. A dietitian can work with you on figuring out the right number of calories for you per day, structuring your meals, and finding the right portions for your food choices.

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Another name for the low-calorie diet is the weight-loss diet.

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Some cancer treatments can cause people to gain weight over time. In particular, corticosteroid and hormone therapies can cause weight gain. The low-calorie diet helps people prevent weight gain during treatment or lose weight after treatment.

If you were overweight at the time of your cancer diagnosis, you may want to talk to your doctor about going on a low-calorie diet. You might also consider a weight-loss plan that includes diet and exercise. Obesity has been linked to a poorer prognosis for several cancers, including breast cancer, colon cancer, esophageal cancer, and tongue cancer. It can also contribute to a higher risk of prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, and endometrial cancer. Learn more about the link between obesity and cancer risk.

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The three basic principles of the low-calorie diet are:

• Avoid high-calorie foods.
• Monitor portion sizes to prevent overeating.
• Avoid sugary drinks.

You can eat any food you want as long as you do so in moderation. One thing to keep an eye on is energy-dense foods. These foods provide more calories per bite. Not all energy-dense foods are bad for you. Two examples of good energy-dense foods are nuts and avocados. However, you should eat less of these foods to minimize the overall number of calories you take in.

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No. If you are unsure, ask your doctor or dietitian.

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COMPLAINT	SOLUTION
It’s too much work.	Set aside time to plan and prepare your meals and snacks.
I’m hungry all the time.	Drink water or other calorie-free beverages before you reach for food. Oftentimes we think we are hungry when we are actually thirsty. Include a protein-rich food in all your meals. Fill up on foods with a high fiber and water content. Include small snacks between your meals. Go for a walk. Many times we reach for food because of boredom rather than true hunger.
I don’t like whole grains.	Use just half of the whole grains in recipes, like brown rice mixed with white rice, to help improve the taste.
I don’t like vegetables.	Sneak vegetables into omelets, pasta sauces, or casseroles.  Include legumes, whole grains, and fruits to help get more vitamins and minerals.

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• Space meals and snacks evenly throughout the day. This will prevent you from overeating at the next meal and will keep your body fueled all day long. 
• Use healthier cooking methods, like baking, roasting, broiling, stewing, or grilling instead of frying. Cooking foods in broth or water instead of oil can also help reduce your calorie intake.
• Use measuring cups and spoons to measure appropriate portion sizes.
• Track what you are eating throughout the day to help stick to your eating plan. You can use a pen and paper, keep notes on your phone, or try an app or website, such as MyFitnessPal or LoseIt.

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Calorie deficit: what is it, step-by-step calculation for weight loss

Contents:

➦ What does a calorie deficit mean

➦ How to calculate your deficit rate for weight loss

➦ What intensity of deficiency is optimal for the body?

➦ Diet recommendations for a calorie deficit

➦ How to speed up the result from a deficit

➦ Are there risks and contraindications

➦ Why I do not lose weight from a calorie deficit: the main mistakes

Everyone knows the weight loss formula: eat less and move more. However, this raises the question: how many calories should I eat in order to lose weight? And how do I know for sure how many calories I’m consuming per day? In this article, we will tell you how to correctly calculate your calorie intake, depending on individual characteristics and goals.

What does a calorie deficit mean

Every day for the daily functioning of our body consumes a certain amount of energy, expressed in calories. Calorie is a unit of heat energy, i.e. the amount of energy required to heat 1 g of water to 1°C. When we go to work, run, jump, breathe or sleep, our body uses a substance called ATP (adenosine triphosphate). It stores and provides energy through the foods we eat.

The calorie content of a product is the amount of energy received by the body when it is digested.

Proteins, fats, carbohydrates contain different amounts of calories, providing the body with different amounts of energy. This energy is spent on maintaining the work of internal organs, digestion of food and physical activity. It has been found that at rest, about 20% of the energy consumed is used for brain metabolism. The remaining calories are burned in the process of basal metabolism – blood circulation, digestion, respiration, cellular respiration, tissue repair and growth. We also need mechanical energy to work the muscles in order to maintain an upright position and move. All these costs account for 60% to 70% of the energy we use every day.

A calorie deficit is a metabolic condition that occurs when we eat fewer calories than we spend on activity. For example, if you burn 2,200 calories per day and only consume 1,800 calories from food and drink, you have a 400 calorie deficit.

Lack of calories contributes to weight loss, because in this case the body will be forced to use fat reserves as a reserve source of energy to maintain vital functions and will begin to use fat on the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, back, and not muscles.

How to calculate your deficit rate for weight loss

The World Health Organization has determined that, on average, for a normal metabolism and vigorous activity, without gaining excess weight, a woman can afford to consume from 1700 to 2000 calories per day, and a man up to 2600 calories.

But we are all individuals and when it comes to losing weight, there is no one size fits all approach. Two people of the same age, height, and weight, but with different physical activities, will also have a different calorie deficit.
Thus, in order to calculate your deficit rate for weight loss, you first need to find out how many calories our body spends in the course of its life. Then, depending on the goals, we choose the right nutrition and physical activity plan:

• Calorie intake equals energy requirement . The weight remains stable.
• 
  Calorie intake is lower than energy requirement. Calorie deficit and weight loss.
• 
  Caloric intake exceeds energy requirement . Calorie surplus and weight gain.

Calculate your daily calorie intake

The daily energy requirement depends on two main parameters:

Basal metabolic rate (BMR, basal metabolic rate, or resting energy expenditure). This is the minimum energy required by the body to perform vital functions: breathing, heartbeat, body temperature, digestion of food, etc.). This parameter depends on gender, weight, height and age.

Physical activity level . Determined by the coefficient (CFA), associated with our daily activities: work, training and other physical activities.

It should be noted that the external environment can also affect the daily energy requirement. For example, the far north requires more energy than warm countries. In addition, the basal metabolic rate changes with age: the older we get, the lower our energy requirements.

Basal Metabolism Calculation

Basal or basal metabolism is, in fact, the number of calories burned by the body during the day at rest. This parameter is necessary so that in the process of losing weight you do not get exhaustion or metabolic disorders.

Nutritionists use special calorie counting formulas to calculate BMR, named after the scientists who developed them.

Harris-Benedict formula (1984 edition):

– for men: 88.362 + (13.397 × weight in kilograms) + (4.799 × height in centimeters) – (5.677 × age in years)

– for women: 447.593 + (9.247 × weight in kilograms) + (3.098 × height in centimeters) – (4.330 × age in years)

Mifflin-St. Jeor formula (revised 1990):

– for men: (10 × weight in kilograms) + (6.25 × height in centimeters) – (5 × age in years) + 5

– for women: (10 × weight in kilograms) + (6.25 × height in centimeters) – (5 × age in years) – 161

WHO considers the latter version of the formula to be more accurate.

So, for example, for a 24-year-old man, with a height of 188 cm and a weight of 105 kg, the calculation will look like this:

WMB: 1050 + 1175 – 120 + 5 = 2110 calories

Another example: for a 30-year-old woman 164 cm tall, weighing 85 kg:

WMB: 850 + 1031 – 150 – 161 = 1570 calories

Physical activity

To calculate the daily calorie intake, the person’s physical activity must also be taken into account. Daily energy expenditure covers everything from supporting the body’s internal resources to walking to work and intense workouts.
It is logical to assume that a person who sits in the office all day and does not play sports has a lower daily energy expenditure than a construction worker who, in addition to moving all day, goes to the gym in the evening.

Scientists have derived the following coefficients of physical activity (CFA):

• 1.2 – sedentary lifestyle, sedentary work, lack of physical activity;
• 1.375 – low intensity activity, sports up to 3 times a week;
• 1.55 Moderately active 3 to 5 times per week, walking 2 to 5 km per day, 9,400 to 23,500 steps per day.
• 1.725 – high activity with intensive training 6-7 times a week, walking more than 5 km, more than 23,500 steps per day.
• 1.9 – intense physical activity every day at work or in the gym, training 2 times a day, strength exercises.

Calculate daily calories burned

In order to calculate how many calories you burn per day according to your current body parameters and physical activity, you need to multiply the BMR by CFA.

Based on the previous example, a 24-year-old man, 188 cm tall, weighing 105 kg, and having an activity level of 1.375 burns per day:

2110×1.375 = 2901.25 kcal.

To get the desired number, you can use ready-made calorie calculators that are available on the Internet. It is enough to enter the appropriate parameters, and you will receive your daily calorie intake.

What deficiency intensity is optimal for the body?

Nutritionists have determined the optimal and safe rate of calorie deficit in the range of 15-20% of the actual caloric intake, which maintains the existing weight. How to calculate it? Let’s go back to our example: if the daily calorie intake according to the Mifflin-St. Jeor formula is 2901.25 kcal, then a deficit of 20% will be equal to 580.25 kcal.

Determine the daily calorie intake, taking into account the deficit:

2901.25 kcal – 580.25 kcal \u003d 2321 kcal – this is the calorie content that you need to include in your daily diet in order to start losing weight.

This is a small deficit and you can sit on such a diet for a long time, up to a year. Weight will decrease slowly, but the result will be fixed for a long time.

Choose a 30-40% calorie deficit for fast weight loss. But there is a risk that the weight will also quickly return to its previous levels. In addition, there are doubts about the safety of such restrictions, so it is better to consult a specialist.

A strong deficit of more than 40% of the daily requirement can be practiced, but not more than 3-5 days. Here it is better to use a different strategy: reduce the usual calorie intake by 20% and increase physical activity by the same figure.

Consider an example. On average, a person weighing 50 kg loses about 200 kcal in 30 minutes of running in place.

The same amount of calories contains:

– in one tablespoon of mayonnaise

– a piece of butter (28 g)

– in breakfast cereal (51 g)

– half a burger

– three pancakes

– 2/3 of a muffin

– in two glasses of Coca Cola.

Thus, to achieve a 400-calorie deficit, this person needs to remove, for example, mayonnaise from the diet and add half an hour of running in place.

So, while maintaining the established deficit, you can get the following weight loss results:

➤ Deficient up to 20% – 1-2 kg per week

➤ Shortage 20-40% – 3-4 kg per week

➤ 50-70% deficit – 4-6 kg per week.

It is believed that the calorie deficit suitable for the maximum number of people is 500 kcal per day. It is well tolerated and sufficient to provide weight loss processes of about 70 g per day (i.e. about 2 kg per month).

Diet recommendations for calorie deficits

Creating a calorie deficit means taking in fewer calories than your body can burn in a day. The advantage of eating this way is that you don’t have to go hungry or give up many of your favorite foods. You just need to correctly calculate your diet, based on the formula for daily calorie intake and choose the desired deficit percentage. However, don’t get carried away!

Do not eat less than 1200 kcal per day for women and 1600 kcal for men, as this is unhealthy. The body will go into economy mode, accumulating fat and reducing muscle mass.

It is more correct to create a calorie deficit at the expense of protein, rather than carbohydrates and fats, since more energy is spent on protein digestion. We must not forget about the balance of vitamins and minerals. You can’t eat something sweet and drink Coca-Cola to get the 1300 kcal you need, as such food will very quickly lead you to a hospital bed.

Nutritionists have calculated the ideal diet: on average, for losing weight, a person needs 1.5–1.8 g of protein, 0.8–1.0 g of fat per 1 kg of desired weight, and the rest should be carbohydrates (with only 5% of them should be simple). Based on this, you can calculate how many grams of each component you need to consume per day in order to quickly reach the desired number on the scales. The energy value of products can be checked by checking the packaging, or by finding information on the Internet.

For breakfast, it is better to eat complex carbohydrates and some protein. It can be whole grain cereals or durum pasta, potatoes or legumes. They slowly break down and relieve hunger for a long time, which allows you not to overeat during the day. You can also eat fermented milk products: milk, cheese, cottage cheese or yogurt. For lunch, eat vegetable salads with vegetable oil, fresh fruits. They are rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber. Dinner should contain predominantly protein foods: a piece of lean meat or fish with a small portion of vegetable salad.

Pay attention to the seasonality of the products when planning your diet. In the autumn-winter period, focus on cabbage (including sauerkraut), eggplant, bell pepper, tomatoes, zucchini, beets, carrots, pumpkin. From fruits and berries, apples, pears, grapes, plums, figs, cranberries and lingonberries deserve special attention.

Calorie Deficit Supplements

Typhoon “Day” and “Night” – a series of innovative products for weight loss. Developed on the basis of an enhanced formula that takes into account the biological rhythms of the human body.

Suppresses appetite by naturally creating an energy deficit needed for weight loss. The effect of losing weight is achieved by normalizing metabolism, accelerating fat lipolysis, lowering cholesterol levels. With an integrated approach that involves taking capsules “day” and “night”, the intensity of weight loss increases many times over.

Given the fact that a large amount of protein is quite problematic to obtain from standard meals, protein supplements can be used to increase it in the diet. This is especially true for people whose diet is forced to be voluminous due to heavy loads.

VANSITON FOR COCKTAILS with vanilla flavor is a dietary supplement, an excellent combination of proteins and carbohydrates, which covers the deficiency of proteins and glycogen in the muscles. The supplement contains 67% protein and up to 22.5% easily digestible “simple” carbohydrates.

VANSITON FOR COCKTAILS is made from whey protein concentrate with the addition of a fast-absorbing carbohydrate called glucose. Taking this drug during weight training contributes to the rapid growth of muscle mass, the formation of a beautiful muscle relief and the reduction of subcutaneous fat.

Plant protein soy isolate chocolate 900g – protein for people who do not consume animal proteins. This protein supplement contains pure soy isolate with a 90% protein content, a complete amino acid composition and a pleasant chocolate flavor. Taking this drug during weight training helps to form a beautiful muscle relief and reduce subcutaneous fat.

Vansiton for cocktails – a source of proteins that will make up for the lack of protein foods in the diet. In addition to a high concentration of protein, the protein is able to be quickly absorbed by the body without unnecessary losses, help in recovery processes and not subject the digestive system to heavy loads. In addition, let’s say that there are hard-to-find forms of protein that are found in foods in small quantities, such as whey protein. It is produced thanks to special technologies.

Banana Flavored Supplement is made from whey protein concentrate enriched with fast-digesting carbohydrate — glucose, in the ratio: 67% protein and up to 22.5% easily digestible simple carbohydrates. Taking the supplement increases the amount of protein in the diet and, along with training, prevents muscle loss during weight loss.

How to accelerate the result of the deficit?

You can effectively accelerate weight loss through a calorie deficit by applying the right strategy: a healthy diet with a calorie deficit and regular exercise. Thus, you are guaranteed to lose weight due to fat, not muscle.

Sports are a great way to get into a calorie deficit. Scientists have calculated approximate figures for calorie consumption during exercise.

It should be noted that the more body weight and the higher the intensity of training, the more calories you burn. So, a person weighing 100 kg will spend 50% more calories than a person weighing 70 kg.

You don’t have to work hard at the gym to burn calories effectively. So calm walking requires about 140 kilocalories per hour, and fast walking – about 180. Office staff spends 550 kcal per day, manual workers, for example, loaders, up to 2000 kcal. Even sitting at home can burn calories. For example, washing dishes takes 50 kcal, windows – 280 kcal, floors – 280 kcal.

It is also possible to increase energy intake without sports at the expense of basal metabolism. For example, 30-40% of its nutritional value is spent on the digestion of animal proteins, 4-7% on the absorption of carbohydrates, and only 2-4% on fats. Thus, by choosing protein foods and reducing fat, you will quickly achieve the desired calorie deficit.

Are there any risks and contraindications?

Daily calorie deficit of 10-15% does not adversely affect the body. You lose weight gently, comfortably, without hunger and depression, albeit slowly. The amount of muscle mass is not significantly reduced.
With a large deficit, you can lose up to 2-3 kg in 7 days. However, it should be borne in mind that the faster the body weight decreases during the diet, the higher the risk of negative consequences for the body.

The calorie deficit method is not recommended for professional athletes, as their performance depends on endurance and strength. When practicing martial arts, light and weightlifting, it is better to use a protein or keto diet.

Contraindications for the calorie deficit technique are:

✦ pregnancy and lactation

✦ diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system

✦ infectious diseases

✦ recovery period after operations

✦ heavy physical labor.

Children and adolescents under 18 years of age should also not lose weight in this way, as there is a risk of growth retardation, endocrine diseases, reduced physical activity and academic performance.

Why am I not losing weight from a calorie deficit: the main mistakes?

Lack of patience

Most people cannot lose weight because of impatience. Starting to reduce calories, you expect a quick effect. But this method works in the future. You didn’t gain weight in a week, and you won’t lose weight in a week either. Moreover, those who lose weight quickly are more likely to gain back the lost pounds. In a short time, it is impossible to develop good habits that help maintain a normal weight in the future.

Resolution : weight loss cannot be forced. You need to keep a deficit, train and wait. Aim for a loss of 0.5-1% of your total weight per week.

Move less

Research has shown that people on a diet tend to move less. This is due to a decrease in daily calorie consumption.

Solution : Just try to walk more. Choice of: 40 minutes walk every day or 10,000 steps daily. This will help you maintain approximately the same calorie expenditure. In addition, there is an incentive: eat more – move more. Studies have shown that this strategy is more effective than “eat less – move more.”

Fluid retention

Any limitation is stress. When stressed, cortisol levels increase, which retains water. Despite the fact that the fat goes away, it seems that nothing is happening.

Solution: You should not go on a diet during a difficult period of life. Learn to manage stress. Meditation, walking, sex, massage, journaling will help with this.

Gain muscles

The number on the scale is not everything. If you are exercising, then it is quite possible that the weight does not change due to the fact that muscle mass is growing.

Solution : measure body volumes. In losing weight, focus not only on weight, but also on body parameters, a visual picture.

Metabolic adaptation

One of the main disadvantages of the calorie deficit method is slowing down the metabolic rate, and hence the number of calories burned. This phenomenon is called metabolic adaptation and is associated with a decrease in daily energy expenditure due to diet or exercise. According to experts, this strategy may not work for some people who want to lose weight.

Solution : When you lose weight, your body loses weight and requires fewer calories. The deficit must be periodically adjusted to the changed weight. Starting a diet, do not change anything for the first 4 weeks, then weigh yourself more often and recalculate the daily calorie intake, gradually reducing it by 5-10%.

Health problems

Hypothyroidism, polycystic and even menopause affect weight. It is quite possible to get fat from taking certain medications, as they can slow down the metabolism.

Solution : If you are following a strict diet and exercising hard and your weight is not changing, you should see a doctor and have your health checked. For medications, you can try to find a suitable alternative solution.

If you are interested in the topic of this article, express your opinion, ask questions or write a review.

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How calorie deficit diets make you fat

Health

July 27, 2017

Approximately one third of low-calorie diets end up in weight gain: the body accumulates fat with a vengeance, nullifying all your efforts. Lifehacker understands why this happens and how to lose weight so as not to gain weight again.

Iya Zorina

Author of Lifehacker, athlete, CCM

After a low-calorie diet, many people gain weight again. And it’s not a lack of willpower or bad eating habits. This happens because the body tends to return to a given amount of fat.

A set amount of fat is a certain level of adipose tissue in the human body.

This amount is strictly individual and depends on genetics, activity level and eating habits. But whatever it is, the body will try to keep this amount unchanged.

How the Body Stores Fat

Slow Metabolism

The farther you go from your target amount of fat, the more your body prevents further fat loss, forcing your energy system to work at maximum efficiency. Mitochondria, the energy sources of cells, begin to produce more energy from less fuel.

At the same time, your metabolism slows down, the amount of energy you spend on normal activities decreases, and even the thermic effect of food decreases – the number of calories you spend to digest food.

And the more fat you lose, the more efficient your body becomes. Moreover, the more often you subject your body to such a test, the better it learns to conserve energy. That is, on your fourth attempt to lose weight on a low-calorie diet, fat will go much more slowly than in the first three.

Hunger hormones

When you lose weight, your fat cells shrink, triggering the secretion of leptin, the hormone that makes you feel full.

Research has shown that during a caloric deficit, the fall in plasma leptin levels exceeds the rate of decline in fat stores. Moreover, this level remains low for some time after the weight stabilizes. This means that even after the end of the diet, it will be difficult for you to get enough.

At the same time, a calorie deficit causes increased levels of ghrelin, the hormone responsible for feeling hungry. Thus, you constantly feel hungry, meals do not bring satiety, while your body stores energy – ideal conditions for weight gain.

And when you quit a diet, you not only return to your old weight, but also gain even more.

Why do you gain weight after dieting

The fat target we talked about above is determined by the number and size of your fat cells. When you quit the diet, the shrunk fat cells get bigger again. In theory, this should tell the body that weight has been restored and there is no longer a calorie deficit, so you can stop saving energy.

However, an experiment on mice proved that rapid weight recovery after losing weight provokes the formation of new fat cells.

The more fat cells you have, the smaller their average size. Lack of fat cell size and reduced leptin levels signal to the body that fat is still reduced, so your body continues to conserve energy. All this makes you accumulate even more fat than before the diet.

It turns out that in order to really lose weight, you need to avoid a sharp slowdown in metabolism during the diet and properly return to the usual diet after it. Let’s look at three strategies that will help you lose weight without slowing down your metabolism and return to your calorie intake without gaining fat.

Three strategies for effective weight loss

1. Find your calorie deficit

First of all, you need to find out how many calories, proteins, fats and carbohydrates (PJU) you consume without any restrictions. For three days, just count the nutritional value of everything you ate, on paper or in a special application.

Then figure out how many calories you need to consume to lose fat without slowing down your metabolism. Try the simplest method: take your weight in kilograms and multiply by 26.5. For example, if you weigh 60 kg, you would need to consume 1590 kcal to lose weight.

Do not take this value as an absolute truth. This is just a starting point, an approximate number to start with.

To find your number of calories, you need to carefully monitor your condition.

If you feel low energy and constant hunger, then you need to slightly increase the calorie intake, otherwise the deficit will lead to adaptation and slow metabolism.

If you feel great and don’t feel hungry, you can, on the contrary, reduce the calorie intake, but it is advisable to do this gradually, since a quick transition will again slow down the metabolism.

2. Reverse diet to exit

When you reach your goals, it’s time to increase your calorie intake. However, a rapid transition to increased caloric intake can lead to the formation of new fat cells and weight gain. To avoid this, use a reverse diet.

The essence of this diet is a gradual increase in calorie content – by 80-100 kcal per day. This approach allows you to slightly speed up the metabolism, slowed down after a long calorie deficit, to return to your nutrient norm and at the same time not gain excess weight.

How much you gain depends on how big your calorie deficit was, how you feel, and how much you fear putting on weight when you finish the diet. If you’ve created a large calorie deficit, feel weak, and aren’t afraid to put on some fat after you quit your diet, you can take the big leap and add 200-500 calories quickly.

If you feel good on a diet and do not want to gain a single gram of extra fat, increase calories very carefully. For example, each week increase the amount of carbohydrates and fats in your diet by 2-10%.