Feb 21, 2025

The science behind the 7,500 calorie rule for weight loss

Siddhartha Jana

The 7,500 calorie rule

Based on energy balance principles, a 7,500–7,700 calorie shortfall is estimated to result in a 1 kg reduction in body fat.

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Daily deficit calculation

One kilogram of fat might be lost over the course of a week with a daily deficit of roughly 1,100 calories.

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Realistic challenges

It can be challenging to maintain such a significant calorie deficit, which might result in unsustainable eating patterns or nutritional deficiencies.

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Metabolic adaptations

It becomes more difficult to maintain the same calorie deficit when weight lowers because resting energy expenditure decreases as well.

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Individual variations

How well a person loses weight depends on a number of factors, including lifestyle, hormones, and metabolism.

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Sustainable weight loss approach

For long-term, healthy weight management, gradual adjustments work better than drastic calorie reductions.

Source: Canva

The ultimate guide to healthy weight loss