Calorie Counting Guide: Intake for Muscle & Weight Loss

Determining how many calories you need depends on your fitness goals, whether you are a marathon runner or a weightlifter. Use intake formulas to calculate your needs for muscle gain or sustainable weight loss.

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What Happens if I Start Eating Fewer Calories?

Cutting back on calories also means cutting back on essential nutrients. Eating too few calories and nutrients can lead to potentially life-threatening health problems that make weight loss the least of your concerns. Every bodily function requires a certain amount of calories to perform smoothly.

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How Many Calories a Day Is Considered Starving?

The amount of calories you need per day varies according to your gender, age and body weight, according to the American Heart Association. Eating significantly fewer calories than your body needs over a long period of time can seriously endanger your health.

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