em2lw

sherlock123

What exactly is em2lw and what do all the letters (instead of words) mean? I have no clue what any of it means but would like to try it if someone could explain in laymans terms.

gerbies

EM2LW means Eat More to Lose Weight. You can read more about the specifics, but the concept is to eat more (as noted in the title) than most diets recommend, but still lose weight. The high level description is that you eat more than your BMR, or basal metabolic rate (this is the amount of calories your body needs if you laid in bed all day...what's needed for basic body processes) and just below (typically 15-20% below) your TDEE, or total daily energy expenditure, which is the total amount of calories your body needs each day based on your life and all activity. TDEE is often referred to as maintenance calories; that is, how many calories your body needs to maintain your current weight.

Essentially, those following EM2LW eat about 15-20% below their TDEE to lose weight. In this situation, a person generally eats much more than 1200 calories a day and loses weight more slowly. The benefits are that you are able to truly not deprive yourself and as you lose weight, you lose fat, versus fat, water and muscle, which is typically what you lose when you eat a lower calorie diet. Further, the slower you lose weight, the easier it is for your body to adjust to the weight loss (e.g., helps with loose skin, reshaping, not regaining, etc.).

Hope that helps!

sherlock123

Thank you so much.. gerbies. You explained that with much kindness:)