You’ve probably heard the two acronyms before.
BMR and BMI are frequently thrown around in the fitness and nutrition industry. They are often used as ways to measure your fitness level or general health.
But what do they mean exactly? And should you use them as measurements for determining your current level and your goals?
Let’s set the record straight.
What is BMR?
BMR stands for Basal Metabolic Rate. Essentially, it is the number of calories your body needs to function at rest and that you need to maintain your current weight without movement.
And it is often what people refer to when they talk about improving your metabolism. The more calories your body burns at rest, the higher BMR you have.
Your BMR depends on numerous factors, including your weight, height, age, and gender. You can also improve your BMR through exercise. Exercise, specifically resistance training, places a good stress on your body that causes it to increase muscle mass. With more muscle mass, you burn more calories at rest. This is why resistance or weight training is so important when it comes to a well-rounded exercise routine.
If you want to lose weight, putting more muscle mass on burns more calories at rest, thus, you may lose fat, and your body composition may improve. In turn, your BMR will increase, likely along with your overall health.
What is BMI?
BMI, on the other hand, stands for Body Mass Index. It places you on a scale determining if you’re underweight, normal, overweight, or obese.
The basic calculation for determining your BMI is your weight in kilograms divided by your height in meters squared.
But the BMI number can be misleading. Many people mistakenly use it to indicate their current health status, but it doesn’t take into account your body composition or your body type. For example, a person who has more muscle may fall into the overweight category, but at the same time, they may be perfectly healthy.
In other words, this number should be taken with a grain of salt. In some individuals, it may indicate that they need to lose weight to improve their health status, but not in all. Be careful with this one and don’t depend on it to measure your goals.
How Should You Use These Numbers?
BMR can be used in many different ways. It can help you determine how many calories you should be eating per day to lose weight since a calorie deficit is necessary to do so. However, gaining muscle is an essential part of this and also improves your BMR. Therefore, you shouldn’t only be performing cardio to lose weight, but also participating in strength training to gain muscle.
In contrast, BMI can be a great starting point to get an idea of your current health status, but it shouldn’t be a constant measurement used. It’s not the most reliable number and should be used to give you a general idea of what your goals should be. Although, this may depend on the individual and their current fitness level. As mentioned above, take this number with a grain of salt.
The more info you have, the better equipped you are to make the best decisions for you and your health. And now you know a little more. Education is key when it comes to making a permanent and healthy lifestyle change.
Are you ready to change your lifestyle and start living your best life? At NuLifeBalance, we’re ready to help you start progressing toward the person you want to be. We provide meal plans and personal training, as well as proper education to empower you to become your best self. Contact us today!