How to calculate your running energy needs

Given the number of fad diets, fanciful theories and dubious exercise regimes out there, you would be forgiven for thinking that the whole business of weight loss, metabolism and calorie expenditure was highly complex. But maintaining a stable body weight through running is not rocket science. Rather, it’s maths. If you can solve the running energy equation, the number you see when you step on the scales will not change.

And here’s the formula:

If CALORIES IN = CALORIES OUT, then WEIGHT GAIN = zero

In other words, keep the amount of energy consumed and the amount of energy expended equal, and your weight will remain stable. If you want to lose weight, then you need to take in fewer calories than you expend, or increase the number you burn through activity. Ideally, do both - sensibly.

With a little vigilant label-reading and a beady eye on portion sizes, it isn’t too difficult to estimate how many calories you are consuming.

But what about the ‘energy out’ side of the equation? Total Energy Expenditure (TEE) is a product of three things:

• Your resting metabolic rate (the amount of energy needed to enable the body to function over a 24-hour period).
• The amount of energy used in digesting and processing food (known as the thermic effect of food, and not enough of a contributing factor to get too excited about) and finally…
• The amount of calories you expend during running and other activities (both with and without your trainers on).

This final factor is the one that has the greatest potential for change – it can account for between 15-30%  of your TEE – which is why running exercise is such a crucial part of any successful, sustainable weight loss programme.

You can get a good estimation of your average total daily energy expenditure, encompassing all three of the main components, by filling in the following sums.

• Find your weight in kilograms (1 kilogram = 2.2 lbs).
• Put your weight into one of the following formulae to get a resting metabolic rate: 

WOMEN
18-30 years old: weight x 14.7. Answer + 496 = RMR
31-60 years old: weight x 8.7. Answer + 829 = RMR

MEN
18-30 years old: weight x 15.3. Answer + 679 = RMR
31-60 years old: weight x 11.6. Answer + 879 = RMR 

Now take this figure and multiply it by the number below that most closely matches your typical daily  (non-running) activity level. This should NOT include activity in the form of workouts or sports (that comes next) – it is simply your day-to-day activities. The majority of us would be described as sedentary.

• Sedentary (sit or stand most of the day) 1.4
• Moderately active (some walking each day and regular active leisure pursuits such as gardening, DIY) 1.7
• Very active (physically active each day through work or leisure) 2.0

Now estimate the number of calories you expend on all the running and other exercise workouts you typically do in a week, and divide the figure by seven to get an average daily value. Use the figures to help you gauge your workout energy expenditure. Remember, the heavier you are, the more energy you burn during any running or exercise-related activity.

TOTAL EXPENDITURE divided by 7 = ____________

Add together the results from stage 3 and 4 and you have a reasonable estimate of how much energy you need per day to maintain your current body weight.

Now all you need to do is keep the balance right!