How many excess calories must you burn to lose one pound?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the number of excess calories that need to be burned in order to lose one pound of body weight, which is a common knowledge question related to weight loss and nutrition.
Answer
3,500
The final answer is 3,500.
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is 3,500.
More Information
The widely accepted rule is that a caloric deficit of 3,500 calories is approximately equivalent to losing one pound, which is based on the energy content of body fat.
Tips
A common mistake is thinking 3,500 calories must be burned all at once; it's usually spread over several days.
Sources
- Counting calories: Get back to weight-loss basics - Mayo Clinic - mayoclinic.org
- How Many Calories Do I Burn to Lose a Pound? - Verywell Fit - verywellfit.com
- Exercise and weight loss: A formula for success - Harvard Health - health.harvard.edu