Reflection Questions:
1. Calories are a unit of measurement used to quantify the amount of energy in food and drinks. The body gets energy from calories by breaking down the carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in food through a process called metabolism.
2. My total calories in (consumed) and total calories out (expended) for the day are calculated in Step 5.
3. Based on the total calories in (consumed) and total calories out (expended), I will either gain weight, lose weight, or maintain my weight over time. If my total calories in are greater than my total calories out, I will gain weight. If my total calories in are smaller than my total calories out, I will lose weight. If my total calories in and out are equal, I will maintain my weight. The time it takes to gain or lose one pound of body fat depends on the calorie difference calculated in Step 5. To lose one pound of body fat, a calorie deficit of approximately 3500 calories is needed. To gain one pound, a calorie surplus of approximately 3500 calories is needed.
4. If I start jogging every day, burning an additional 300 calories a day, it would take approximately 11-12 days to lose one pound of body fat. (3500 calories divided by 300 calories burned per day).
5. If I start drinking a soda from the school vending machine every day, taking in an additional 200 calories a day, it would take approximately 17-18 days to gain one pound of body fat. (3500 calories divided by 200 calories consumed per day).