Losing (or Gaining) One Pound in a week

What does it take to lose or gain a pound? In simple numbers, it takes 3,500 calories.

If through a modified diet and exercise you cut 500 calories each day, at the end of a week you'll have lost one pound.

Of course, if you eat 500 calories more than you expend each day, you'll gain one pound in a week.

Here are some ways to whittle away calories:
♦ Eat smaller portions. If you cut your portion size of red meat from eight ounces to three ounces, you'll save 250 to 300 calories. A three ounce serving of meat is about the
size of a deck of cards.
♦ Choose healthful cooking methods. Simply choosing a different cooking method can save you 100 to 300 calories. More healthful methods include baking, broiling, grilling, poaching, roasting and steaming foods. Preparation methods to cut back on include frying, sauteing, roasting, braising and breading foods.
♦ Increase your activity level. Add some moderate physical activity to your day. The following activities burn off about 150 calories: gardening for 30 to 45 minutes, walking two miles in 30 minutes, bicycling five miles in 30 minutes, washing and waxing a car for 45 to 60 minutes.

via: health and home