eat-less-move-more

[eat-less-move-more]

A calorie is a unit of energy, like a joule. It's a unit of energy equivalent to the heat energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1 °c.

We use calories to measure the amount of energy in our food. In the body, calories not used are stored as adipose tissue (fat.) In addition to energy storage, fat also protects our organs.

We can get a rough approximation of how many calories a body needs using a TDEE or BMR calculator. (TDEE is your BMR + Intentional Movement, BMR is the calories you need at rest unmoving.) There are *more* accurate ways to measure this but it requires equipment.

Energy above the amount required for movement and function is stored as fat. If you need to gain weight, take in more energy (food) and don't use it. Eat more, move less.

This is why sufferers of severe Anorexia are put on bed rest, even walking takes too much energy because they just don't have enough stored as fat or being consumed in the form of food. All their calories need to be put to the task of recovering from organ damage, healing wounds, and gaining a healthy store of fat.

The opposite is also true. If one want to lose fat, they must burn the fat for fuel (this is it's intended purpose, it is fuel.) Consuming more energy than needed for movement and function will result in the extra energy being stored as fat. This is how weight gain functions.

"Counting Calories" is simply a way of ensuring you get the appropriate amount of energy for your body. Those intending to gain weight often count calories as well.

TLDR: want to lose weight? Eat Less, Move More. Want to gain weight? Eat More, Move Less.