Lose 10lbs a year by simply skipping 100 calories a day
Can you lose 10lbs a year by simply skipping 100 calories a day? Absolutely.
Here's how to works:
By leaving out 100 calories per day, you are eating 36,500 less calories a year. (100 calories a day x 365 days in a year = 36,500 calories). It takes a deficit of 3,500 calories to lose one pound of fat and a deficit of 35,000 adds up to 10 pounds of lost fat.
I first came across this 'formula' when reading one of my favorite books, Mindless Eating
The author of the book said the same thing, you can lose 10lbs a year but shaving off 100 calories a day, but he also put 100 calories in perspective. He said it was as easy as not eating three jelly beans.
I think the author might have had a flair for dramatics, though, because 3 jelly beans is not quite 100 calories. Still, the point is accurate. It doesn't take much to shave off 100 calories if you know what 100 calories looks like.
Here are 10 great examples of 100 calories you can shave off (without missing them!)
1 tbsp mayonnaise 2.25 oz guacamole 15 potato chips/French fries 1 pretzel rod 1 slice of bread 1 tbsp peanut butter 1 oz pasta 2 tbsp salad dressing 6 crackers 1 beer/soda/liquor shot/wine
- some of these items may exceed 100 calories (depending on brand).
How easy is it to use 1 tbsp less mayonnaise? Very easy.
(For a longer list, see 100 examples of 100 calories you can do without.)
Keep in mind that the reverse is also true. You need to only exceed your daily calorie needs by 100 calories to GAIN 10lbs a year.
One of the reasons our meal plans are so helpful with weight-loss and weight management is because we're doing all the counting for you and you can make sure you don't accidentally go over. Similarly, if you need to lose, we help ensure you shave off the excess without feeing deprived.