Burly Monkey Ratio=BMR?

When people ask me how to lose weight, 99% of the time I ask them if they know how many calories they are eating a day. The other 1% of the time I typically ask them if they have a chocolate glazed donut in their back pocket to donate to a good cause. Losing weight is an energy equation. Google it...I did not make that up. Calories in vs calories out. Like putting gas in your vehicle or balancing your checkbook. How much can you spend and how far can you drive?

When people see me eating or ask me why I'm so calorie conscious they normally ask if I'm on a diet or why do I want to lose more weight. It's true that I want to lose weight. About 20 more pounds. Back in 2008, before I got married, was laid off, moved to Klamath Falls, started looking for work, (we're in 2009 now) got a new job, adjusted to my new life (I'm obviously married by now), gained 20-30 pounds shhhhhh!!, ok so back in 2008 I was in the best shape I had ever been in. I weighed 154 and my body fat was at a decent 19%. 154 for a girl that's 5'10" is pretty darn good. Pretty DARN good. I was counting calories back then too.

Fast forward to today, and I'll get off my ramble....if you are eating too many calories, you will gain weight. If you aren't eating enough calories, you will gain weight or at least hold steady and not lose. If you're not eating enough, your body thinks a famine is coming along and adjusts your metabolism accordingly. As you get older, your body slows your metabolism down so you can add more fat and keep yourself toasty and alive in your cave since you can't go out and gather as many berries or spear as many antelopes as you used to.

I'm desperately trying to get back to my whole point here. Unless you are tracking your calories, you will not know if you are eating enough or if you are eating too much. Two things coming atcha that if you don't get anything else from this post, get these:

1. Track your calories. Use a free website, a notebook, an app on your phone whatever works for you. I like Sparkpeople, it's free and easy and their is a mobile feature. Set a goal to track everything you are eating for two weeks and then evaluate from there.

2. Find out what your BMR is, your Burly Monk...I mean, your Basal Metabolic Rate. There's a whole 'nother post coming about that. This is the calculator I always use http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/

You need to know how many calories your body burns if you just laid in a coma all day. We'll go from there later. Have a great weekend!