What is BMR?

Answer:
Your basal metabolic rate, or BMR, is

the minimum calorific requirement needed to sustain life and to maintain bodily functions while your body is at rest. Another way to look at it is as the amount of energy your body would expend if you were to lie in bed all day.

It does not take into account any other daily activities that would expend calories such as working, walking, exercise, or any other daily chores.

BMR is the largest factor in determining an individual’s total metabolic rate. It is also important in determining how many calories a person needs in order to gain, lose, or maintain their current weight. A person’s BMR is determined by looking at a combination of genetic and environmental factors such as gender, genetics, age, weight, surface area of your body, body fat percentage, body temperature, external temperature, level of exercise.

There are quite a few BMR calculators online that can give you a fairly accurate idea of what your basal metabolic rate is by taking into account these factors. Once you have an idea of your BMR, you can adjust your caloric intake and exercise level to reflect your particular fitness goals.