Your Calories on FormulaZone
FormulaZone uses medical-standard formulas for calculating required calories per day. Then, those calories are adjusted up or down depending upon your activity level, your weight-loss (or gain) goal, and the ideal weight that you enter. This makes FormulaZone completely customized to you.
Since FormulaZone is so customized, there are a variety of factors that affect your profile. Just look at the examples in the lower right corner of this article. The wide range is due to the highly personalized nature of FormulaZone.
Adjusting the activity level alone can affect the calories by over 1200 per day (most people actually choose an activity level too high- be sure to click on the link Activity Level to see an explanation of the levels and how much activity each one represents).
Adjusting the weight goal from fast weight loss to moderate weight loss increases the calories by 250, and increasing to maintain raises them by another 250 calories.
Changing the "My Ideal Weight" also has an effect on the calories. If you choose fast weight loss, but then choose a weight that is close to your existing weight, the calories are increased somewhat because your goal weight implies a more moderate weight loss is more practical.
Compared to the The Zone
The Zone, by Dr. Barry Sears, is a fantastic book that explains the Zone in great detail. The book, however, only has one set of recommended calories per day which are to apply to everyone.FormulaZone's calories will vary widely from The Zone, since the calories are infinitely personalized- based on your height, current weight, weight goal, activity level, and more.
Compared to the The Formula,
The Formula, by Gene and Joyce Daoust, is the perfect start for anyone interested in following the 40-30-30 Zone lifestyle. They explain it in an fast, easy read that is easy to understand. With The Formula,there are 5 categories that you fit into, A, B, C, D or E. These are each averages, or compromises, in a range of weights, activity level, etc.FormulaZone's calories will actually match those in The Formula for the "average" profile in each of their categories. However, once you start getting away from the average, your calorie information changes, because FormulaZone is so much more personalized.
To Reduce your Profile Calories
There are several things you can do. The best way is to reduce your Activity Level setting. If you still do not get the calories low enough, ensure that your goal weight (this should be your ultimate target weight, not a stepping-stone) is below your current weight. Finally, if that does not reduce the calories enough, then change your Weight Goal to Fast Weight Loss. Between these three settings, you can control the number of calories per day with a great amount of flexibility and precision.To Increase your Profile Calories
The most significant change is by increasing the Activity Level. If you still do not get the calories high enough, change your Weight Goal to moderate weight loss, maintain, or even gain weight. Finally, if that does not increase the calories enough, then increase your goal weight. Again, between these three settings, you can control the number of calories per day with a great amount of flexibility and precision.Examples
| Person | Range |
| Woman, 5'-6", 150 lbs | 1,000 to 2,825 |
| Woman, 5'-6", 250 lbs | 1,310 to 4,625 |
| Man, 6'-0", 200 lbs | 1,260 to 4,425 |
| Man, 6'-0", 300 lbs | 1,645 to 5,885 |