Watching your calories and getting a regular amount of exercise is cruicial for your health and proper weight. However, eating too little or working out too much can pose risks to your health, and it may even stall your weight loss. Everyone's body is different, so talk with your doctor about your personal daily caloric and exercise needs. You can then work on creating healthy habits and goals that will serve you for life.
Benefits of 1,200 Calories
Eating 1,200 calories each day may be just right for you, provided that you are still giving your body all of the nutrients it needs to function and stay healthy. You can determine the amount of daily calories you need by multiplying your current or goal weight by 12 to 15, using a higher number the younger and more active you are. A low-calorie, but well-balanced diet can help you lose weight and keep the pounds off once you have reached your goal weight. Additionally, dividing those 1,200 calories up into five or six small meals can rev up your metabolism, further aiding your weight-loss efforts.
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Benefits of 90-Minute Workouts
Like food, the amount of exercise that everyone needs varies. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the latest national guidelines recommend at least an hour of aerobic exercise most days of the week, in addition to at least two weekly strength-training sessions. Working out for 90 minutes at a time will burn calories and eliminate fat, as well as increase your muscle mass, which will further increase your calorie-burn. Regular physical activity can also energize you and improve your overall sense of well-being.
Dangers of Extreme Diets
If your body requires more than 1,200 calories, eating this amount or less can pose risks to your health. In general, women should not go below this daily amount, and men should not consume less than 1,500 calories. Following an extreme diet will not only deprive you of essential vitamins and minerals, but it may also cause your body to store what you eat as fat. Furthermore, strict diets can lead to fatigue, a poor immune system, dizziness and gallstones. Work with a nutritionist to determine the right amount of calories for you.
Dangers of Overtraining
Daily workouts can do wonders for your health and fitness level, but if 90-minute sessions are too much for your body, they can do more harm than good. Overtraining puts you at an increased risk for injury and can lead to headaches, disrupted sleep, loss of appetite and an increased heart rate. It can also cause a decrease in your performance level, which will not allow you to work out at your best, and may in turn diminish the benefits you might receive from exercise. Talk with a health care provider or licensed trainer to determine a realistic exercise regimen for your body.