One way some women like to lose weight is by counting calories. Though our individualized programs are not designed around this principle, it’s good to know it exists. Getting to know your optimal caloric intake can be helpful in starting your weight loss journey.
Is There a Recommended Daily Caloric Intake?
Short answer: yes! Generally speaking, a woman over 40 can expect her daily caloric intake to be somewhere between 1,600 to 2,200. That’s according to a 2010 report by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. When broken down into specifics, sedentary women aged 31-50 should consume 1,800 calories. Those who are moderately active should eat 2,000 calories. Active women in that age range get 2,200.
Not sure which range you fall into? Think of it this way: A woman in the sedentary category isn’t very active at all. She hardly exercises, but when she does, it’s not daily and likely below a half hour. Whereas a woman living moderately active lifestyle exercises for approximately thirty minutes a day, and likely walks more than a sedentary woman. Lastly, the active woman is probably burning a minimum of 500 calories per day doing lengthy cardiovascular exercises that may include long-distance running, bicycling, etc.
Watching Your Caloric Intake to Lose Weight
It’s not always necessary to watch your caloric intake to lose weight. In fact, restriction could lead to more problems than solutions. Simply start by eating the right foods. Focus on getting healthy, not the numbers.
If you’re not ready to make a switch from a sedentary lifestyle to one that’s moderately active, that’s okay! But be conscious of what you eat, and make note of what you put into your body. Replace processed, sugary snacks with fruits, for example, and you’ll see how fast positive changes can occur!
You can reach your optimal weight without restriction or counting calories. Let us know how we can help.