First of all, that term in the title almost sounds like an illness, or negative health condition. In some discussions, that would be correct, but when discussing weight loss, especially healthy weight loss, it can be quite positive.
I'm talking about "calorie deficiency".
Normally, when discussing health, if you use the term "deficiency", such as in "vitamin deficiency", that can be a very negative thing. After all, you are talking about lacking something which is necessary to health, fitness, vitality, and even life itself.
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On the other hand, when discussing weight management, a deficiency, especially in calories can be a good thing.
You see, there is a basic equation of weight gain.
If you take in more calories than you expend, you gain weight. If you expend more calories than you take in, you lose weight.
That's the simple weight loss truth. What makes weight loss so "complicated" are three facts:
1. There are a lot of different factors involved in what happens to whatever calories you take in, and...
2. There are a lot of people handing out all kinds of science, and pseudo-science on the topic, and...
3. Most people don't know enough about the subject to sort out all conflicting information, particularly as it applies to that one unique individual about whom they are concerned...themselves.
Many factors involved in weight gain, and weight loss are beyond our capability to control. These include age, sex, and genetic inheritance, for example. Other factors, such as how many calories we take in, and some of what we do with them is under our control.
It is by manipulating those factors that we can create a calorie deficiency, i.e. using more calories than we take in.
As Tom Venuto points out in his weight loss eBook, "Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle", creating a calorie deficiency is generally achieved by two means:
1. Decreasing the amount of calories we take in, and...
2. Increasing the amount of physical activity in our lives.
Now, this sounds simple enough. Just eat less and move around more, and you will lose weight, right?
Well, to some degree this is true.
However, there are pitfalls to be avoided, and more efficient ways to do things if you know how.
For example, if you try to rapidly and drastically decrease the amount of calories you take in, you can actually activate some fail-safe systems in the body which can eventually wind up sabotaging your entire weight loss program. Choosing the wrong exercises or doing too much or too little of even the right ones can delay or even work against weight loss.
Of course, you have to start somewhere, and cutting out some sweets and starting some sort of moderate but regular exercise program, such as a daily walk, is a good first step. Those two simple actions can begin moving you towards creating a calorie deficiency which may result in healthy weight loss.
However, you will soon find that unless you educate yourself on what to do and why you do it, you will continually find yourself reaching deadens, and, like so many others, become frustrated and fed up...in more ways than one.
The best choice, of course, is to have a professional fitness trainer to help you achieve your weight loss goals. However, for most of us, the actuality is that if you want to lose weight effectively, you will have to do some study on your own. There are a lot of good books available on health, fitness, diet, and weight loss. You can start your research at the local library or at Amazon. However, do not trust ads for diets and weight loss products as generally they will be promoting a product for their own gain.
Even if you find a great book or video, you should be aware that the author will have his or her point of view and the program within the resource may need to be adapted to your particular circumstances and needs.
As you have no doubt guessed, my personal favorite health, fitness, and weight loss book is "Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle" by Tom Venuto. When I read, and re-read, it, the information gibes with all that I have learned over the years. However, even that resource may not be the perfect fit for everyone and each person will have to do their own search on the best combination of nutrition and exercise to produce an appropriate calorie deficiency for their particular situation.
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