A negative energy balance (aka calorie deficit) is not one way to lose weight, it is the mechanism by which the body loses weight. When the sum total of calories consumed and metabolized is fewer than the sum total of calories expended on average over time, weight loss will occur. (PMID: 22434603) If your average weekly body weight is going down over time, you have established a negative energy balance. If your average body weight is not going down over time, you have not. ⚡️⚖️⚡️