General | 9/1/2015 11:46:00 AM
Week1: Sept 1st, 2015: Understanding Calories
- What is a calorie?
- Calories in a more basic basic term are energy that fuels our body. Calories are ENERGY. We need a certain amount of calories or energy to maintain vital organ function of the body, such as your brain, heart, respiratory system, etc., while we are resting. This is called your Basal Metabolic Rate or BMR.
- How does BMR and calories relate?
- Your BMR consist of approximately 60% of your caloric/energy expenditure (the amount of calorie/energy used each day) that is needed to keep your basic body functions going while you are at rest. Your BMR DOES NOT include the amount of calorie/energy required to perform and sustain your activity level.
- What about the rest of the calories?
- Your total daily energy expenditure or TDEE is the calories/energy needed each day for basic resting body functions, working, studying and exercising. So yes you can say TDEE includes: BMR + amount of calories/energy needed for activity.
- To sum it up:
- Your BMR is very important to know first. It will tell you the amount of calories/energy you need for basic function. This figure should not be compromised. Once you know your BMR then you can know what your TDEE should be.
So how do you find out your BMR and TDEE? Follow the nutrition post next week for answers.
Also, follow the nutrition post all week for fun facts that will increase your knowledge on this wonderful and beautiful thing we call our body. You only have one, take care of it!!
