At rest, your body burns only about 12 calories per pound of body weight per day. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, your body uses only about 150 X 12 = 1,800 calories per day. This is the amount of calories per day that would maintain your current weight.

If you were to eat more than 1,800 calories per day, the surplus turns into fat. It takes about 3,600 excess calories to make a pound of fat. If, for example, you were to eat 2000 calories per day, you would be getting an extra 200 calories per day that is going to turn into fat. All else being equal, in 18 days you would gain one pound (18 x 200 = 3,600).

I say THEORETICALLY because there are many FACTORS that influence which foods are used to burn calories.

You can look at your weight as the water level in a sink. Two things can make this water level (your weight) go up or down. If you turn on the faucet (consume more calories) then the water level (your weight) will go up. If you open up the drain (burn more calories through exercise) then the water level (your weight) will go down. This sounds simple but it is often very hard to acheive our goal.

The problem with starting a healthy life style is that at first it can seen overwelming (TOO BIG A MOUNTAIN TO CLIMB!) Next we will look at the Healthy Living Program to help acheive our goal.