How can a person burn more calories per day than consumed? Where did the extra energy come from if food not equivalent to that amount was consumed?
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Our bodies require a certain amount of energy (in the form of calories) to perform basic functions like breathing, maintaining body temperature, and circulating blood. This is called our resting metabolic rate. In addition, we burn extra calories through physical activity and exercise. Just simply being alive takes a solid chunk of energy.
If a person burns more calories per day than they consume, it means they are in a calorie deficit. This deficit can come from either reducing calorie intake (i.e. eating less) or increasing calorie expenditure (i.e. exercising more).
When we are in a calorie deficit, our bodies start using stored energy (like fat) to make up for the deficit. This is how weight loss occurs. The extra energy comes from these stored energy reserves.
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