A person’s understanding of their basal metabolic rate (BMR) is essential for formulating an effective weight loss program. BMR is a calculation of the bare minimum number of calories the body needs to sustain life.
Many would-be dieters starve themselves, convinced that energy is only necessary for exercise and fitness programs. Indeed, this is not true as the body needs a particular number of calories to continue regular functioning like breathing and reaching homeostasis, where all bodily substances are at optimal, balanced levels.
What is BMR?
The body’s metabolism is what determines your BMR. Some people have a slower metabolic rate than others, and they are more inclined to gain weight or become obese. A quick search of Meticore on Walnut, a health, fitness, and supplements review site, shows that Meticore is a natural supplement that could help people with sluggish metabolic rates.
A slow metabolism hinders weight loss, and finding ways to speed it up is essential for anyone wanting to see better results from their diet and fitness endeavors. By increasing your BMR, you allow toxins and other waste that contribute to obesity to drain from the body, leaving you feeling more energized and less sluggish.
BMR vs. RMR
While BMR measures how much energy your body needs to perform basic functions, it is not the same as RMR (resting metabolic rate). RMR calculates how many calories your body burns while it is at rest. These two terms should not be used interchangeably as they have different meanings.
Calculating BMR
Several formulas can calculate BMR. Fortunately, calculators are available online and will do the math for you if you input your gender, age, height in centimeters, and weight in kilograms. The calculated total is how many calories the body should consume in 24 hours just to sustain regular functioning.
To work out how many calories you should ingest if you plan to exercise, use the Harris-Benedict formula. It offers you a way to calculate calorie intake based on your exercise level, which could be little or none, light, moderate, very active, and extra active. For each category, you multiply your BMR by a set number, which increases as your exercise level progresses.
The value of knowing your BMR
BMR is not a weight loss formula, but it facilitates an understanding of how you should adjust your diet to shed those extra pounds effectively. Most diet programs tell users how many calories they should be consuming. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to calorie consumption. Therefore, what the diet specifies might be too much or too little for your body.
Once you understand your BMR and learn to calculate the calories in food portions, you can develop an eating program more customized to your needs than a diet published with the average person in mind. This individualized approach is likely to garner more weight loss success.
Why are people’s BMR rates different?
The calculations mentioned above will be better suited to your unique needs because they factor in your weight, height, gender, and age. Yet two people with identical metrics could have different BMRs.
Their calculations would deliver the direct result. However, if they were to follow the same diet and exercise program, their weight loss figures might differ. This happens when one person’s BMR is lower than the other. This can be put down to genetic factors in some cases. In others, people who carry more muscle require more calories.
If you eat calories according to your BMR and exercise rate and still do not see the weight loss you expected, your BMR could be slower. A dietician could help with finalizing the calculation and formulating relevant interventions.