BMR: What Is My Basal Metabolic Rate?

If you've been in the fitness space for a while you've probably asked yourself, what is BMR? BMR, or basal metabolic rate, is the number of calories your body needs to accomplish its basal (most basic) life-sustaining functions.

To give it its full scientific description, basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the amount of energy expended while at rest in a neutrally temperate environment. In simpler terms, the number of calories you require over a 24-hour period without the inclusion of movement of any kind or through the digestion of food. 

If you’ve ever wondered what BMR accounts for, it’s the energy required to maintain vital organs such as the liver, brain, heart, lungs, kidneys as well as muscle mass and skin. Around 70% of the overall calories you require are burnt purely for the above basal processes. Another 10% are used for maintaining body temperature and digesting food. That means only 20% of the calories we require overall are burnt during movement. 

If you were to lay in bed all day and not move a muscle, you would still need to consume around 80% of your overall calories to keep your body running properly. BMR varies between individuals and a study of 150 adults in Scotland reported an average BMR of 1500 calories a day, with the lowest being 1027 calories per day and the highest being 2499 calories per day.¹ 

Summary: Your BMR is the number of calories your body burns at rest.

• How to calculate your BMR
• Why you might want to know your BMR
• Can I eat fewer calories than my BMR?
• How do I set my calories?

How to calculate your BMR

BMR is dependent on factors such as age, height, weight, sex and lean muscle mass. You can calculate your BMR here.

To calculate your BMR, you can use the following formula:

Why you might want to know your BMR

If you’re trying to lose, gain, or maintain weight, knowing your BMR helps you to determine how many calories you need each day.  

To lose weight

Losing weight means you need to burn more calories than you’re taking in. Start with your BMR and use these equations to help calculate your calorie burn to adjust your calorie intake (diet). 

To maintain weight

Keeping your weight the same can also be done by knowing your BMR and an estimate of how many calories you burn through exercise. Eating the same number of calories that you burn helps maintain weight. 

To gain weight

Can I eat fewer calories than my BMR?

Chronically eating fewer less calories than your BMR can be very detrimental to your health. Low energy availability can lead to disordered eating, fatigue, hair loss, increased healing time from injuries, reduced bone density (meaning increased likelihood of fractures), and low mood. Chronic low energy availability also affects hormone production and can lessen the production of key hormones like testosterone.² 

On top of these health risks, if you eat below your BMR for an extended period of time, your body’s metabolism will start to slow down.² This will make it harder for you to lose weight long term and ultimately stall progressive changes in body composition.  

Summary: It’s best to not eat below your BMR calorie level for an extended period of time.

How do I set my calories?

Remember, on a simple level, it’s all about calories in, calories out. 

1. Calculate your BMR 

2. Determine your calories burned through exercise 

3. Add or subtract calories in your diet based on your goals 

If you’re serious about getting results, you ought to be predominately lifting weights through big progressive movements such as squats, deadlifts, presses etc., whilst also feeding your body correctly, taking note of your own specific BMR and overall calorie needs. 

Upping your steps and cardio activity is also a key element when you’re trying to lose weight, to increase your calorie deficit. Adding more calories and protein is key for gaining muscle. 

After reading this article, you should realise that blindly cutting calories too excessively will have consequences, as mentioned above. So, always try to find what’s right for you, and consult your GP first. 

If you’re looking to learn more about calculating the right calorie deficit for you, use the article below. 

Summary: To calculate your calorie needs, you need to know your BMR and add or subtract calories based on your workouts and your goals.

Take home message

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