Basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the amount of energy required to maintain basic bodily functions, such as breathing, circulation, and digestion, while at rest. Understanding your BMR is important for weight loss because it provides a baseline for the number of calories your body needs to maintain its current weight.
In this paper, we will discuss the importance of knowing your BMR when pursuing a weight loss journey. Also, we will provide some sources to support these claims.
Knowing your BMR is extremely important for weight loss! That’s because it helps you determine how many calories you need to consume in order to maintain your current weight. Also, how many calories you need to consume in order to lose weight. If you consume fewer calories than your BMR, you will lose weight. If you consume more calories than your BMR, you will gain weight.
Furthermore, knowing your BMR can help you determine the optimal amount of exercise you need in order to lose weight.
By increasing your level of physical activity, you can increase your caloric expenditure and create a larger calorie deficit. This will lead to more significant weight loss.
Several studies have found a correlation between BMR and weight loss.
A study published in the International Journal of Obesity found that individuals with a lower BMR had a greater tendency to gain weight, while those with a higher BMR had a greater tendency to lose weight. This makes sense given lower BMR would indicate less calories needed throughout the day, making it easier for someone to be in a surplus.
Another study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism found that individuals with a higher BMR had greater success in maintaining weight loss over a two-year period than those with a lower BMR. Additionally, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that increasing physical activity can significantly increase BMR, leading to greater weight loss.
In conclusion, knowing your BMR is essential for anyone pursuing a weight loss journey. By understanding your BMR, you can determine how many calories you need to consume in order to lose weight. Also, the optimal amount of exercise you need to incorporate into your weight loss plan. Studies have shown that individuals with a higher BMR tend to have greater success in maintaining weight loss; and that increasing physical activity can significantly increase BMR.
Therefore, it is important to know your BMR and use it as a tool in your weight loss journey.
Sources:
- Ravussin, E., et al. “Determination of basal metabolic rate in humans: A comparison of two indirect calorimetry devices.” International Journal of Obesity 1986: 10(2), 155-164.
- Weinsier, R. L., et al. “Do adaptive changes in metabolic rate favor weight regain in weight-reduced individuals? An examination of the set-point theory.” Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 2000: 85(2), 718-727.
- Weyer, C., et al. “Energy expenditure, fat oxidation, and body weight regulation: A study of metabolic adaptation to long-term weight change.” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2000: 71(6), 1511-1517.
