Your Resting Metabolic RateThe resting metabolic rate (RMR) determines the number of calories your body needs to carry out its functions. These include breathing, brain activity, blood circulation, digestion. All the organs also require fuel to carry out their work, including cell repair and regeneration. The body’s work continues even as a person is asleep or resting. If you eat amount of food, which does not meet the body’s resting metabolic rate requirements, you run the risk of slowing down your metabolism. This will result in the body conserving energy and slowing down. You will feel tired and lethargic and, as your body goes into starvation mode, you will find it increasingly difficult to lose weight. When you go on a weight loss diet, it is imperative that you try to meet most of your body’s calorie and RMR requirements. The difference between RMR and BMR While many people are familiar with the basal metabolic rate (BMR), not too many people are aware that there is also a resting metabolic rate (RMR). What is BMR? The basal metabolism figure is indicative of how many calories a person needs just to live. The person should be asleep and fasting for 12 hours so that no calories are used even for digestion. What is RMR? The resting metabolism figure is measured under less restricting conditions, when the body is at rest. It uses 65-75 percent of the calories taken in by food. Many people use the terms RMR and BMR interchangeable, though there are variations in the two readings. The total metabolic rate is the calories need for the resting metabolic rate added to the calories need for whatever daily activities you indulge in. These may range from sedentary to very active. The total metabolic rate gives a reasonable estimation of the total energy expenditure of the body. If you know this, you will be able to tailor your diet accordingly.
How to raise your metabolic rate when it drops Usually the metabolic rate drops with age. For women, it can even drop after menopause. Once the rate drops, you have a greater tendency to put on weight. One way to increase your metabolism is to exercise and build muscle mass. Greater muscle mass requires more calories and proteins. In order to keep the muscles, you need to eat a high protein diet and continue exercising to prevent the muscle from turning to fat. If you eat small and frequent meals, you can raise your total metabolic rate and lose weight faster. There are also certain supplements, which can help raise your metabolism.
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