Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) - How Many Calories a Day For You?

One of the important things to be learnt by those seeking to lose weight is the need to burn more calories than consumed, and to do so while eating and drinking a healthy, nutritious diet. But that raises the question that most never really find an answer for. How many calories a day should I consume, and how many calories a day should I burn. The answer is by using a Basal Metabolic Rate, or BMR, calculator.

The BMR Calculation

A Basal Metabolic Rate calculator, if automated, will help you determine your calorie needs. However, if you do not, the BMR formula which is used in a calculator, is easy to do manually. The BMR calculation is based on the Harris-Benedict Formula.

The purpose of this formula is to provide you with your basal metabolic rate ie the amount of calories your body will burn off out of those you take in. It thereby provides a good estimation of how many calories a day should you consume.

Factors in Calculating Your BMR

In order to work properly in every way, the body requires a certain amount of energy, and this is the basal metabolic rate. Every bodily function uses calories, including thinking, speaking, and breathing. These routine bodily functions can account for 60% of the calories you require every day. The balance is taken up with more strenuous activities, like walking, standing up, washing the dishes, vacuuming the carpet and so on. The other factors that need to be taken into account are your age, gender, weight and height.

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