STEADFAST TRAINING GLOSSARY
Definition
Energy balance is the relationship between energy taken in through food and drink and energy used by the body over time.
What it means
Energy use includes basic body functions, digestion and physical activity. A sustained imbalance changes stored body energy. Scale weight also changes with water and digestive contents, so a single weigh in does not reveal the whole picture.
A practical example
Two people can follow the same menu and have different energy needs. A useful coaching approach is to review intake, activity and trends together rather than assume identical results.
Putting it into practice
Track consistent habits and several weeks of observations. Energy balance is a physiological relationship, not a judgment about effort or character.
Related terms
Calorie Deficit · Maintenance Calories · Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE)
Explore further
Calorie calculator and daily energy estimates · Browse the glossary