True weight-loss success comes from a basic understanding of metabolism. Metabolism is the rate at which your body uses energy or burns calories. Your body will expend energy no matter what you are doing, even when you are asleep. Basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the rate at which your body burns calories while at rest. BMR decreases with age and with the loss of lean body mass. Increasing your muscle mass increases your BMR.
Discovery Health has our favorite BMR Calculator, so you should check it out and see your rate. You can get a more personalized and accurate BMR figure by seeing a qualified trainer or a registered dietitian; they can actually take a measurement on a device similar to a calculator that will estimate the number of calories your body burns per minute.
Understanding your BMR (at least approximately) is an important part of knowing how best to lose weight. Knowing whether your body burns 2200 calories or 2500 calories per day makes a significant difference when planning your ideal calorie intake for weight-loss.
The Shrinking Team
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