BMR, AMR and BMI

[Perry]

BMR - Basal Metobolic Rate
AMR - Active Metobolic Rate
BMI - Body Mass Index

BASAL METABOLISM....as defined in Websters Dictionary - The lowest energy needed to maintain vital functions in an organism at complete rest measured by the heat given off per unit.

What is BMR
BMR stands for the basal metabolic rate and is an estimate for the amount of calories that your body expends at complete rest, this includes breathing and maintaining body temperature. So the amount you would burn by laying down/sleeping all day.

BMR is influenced by age, weight, gender, dieting and exercise. The younger the person the faster the BMR due to the energy used in cell division and as you get older the average metabolic rate decreases. Also unlike most people think the heavier you are the faster your metabolic rate. Fat burn less calories than muscle so men have a 10%-15% faster BMR as men generally have less fat. Restrictive dieting or fasting can lower the BMR up to 20%. A good cardiovascular exercise can increase your BMR

AMR.....takes it one step further. AMR stands for active metabolic rate and is an estimate for the amount of calories that your body expends in your everyday lifestyle ie: Walking, talking etc. any activities you perform above and beyond sleeping.

BMI.... is a your Body Mass Index, measurement based on height and weight as it relates to body fat, and can be used to determine how much risk a person has of developing certain health problems because of his or her weight.

These are all very individual rates and there are many calculators on the internet to figure your individual rates. Here are a few:

www.caloriesperhour.com/index_burn.html
www.fitday.com
www.internetfitness.com/calculators/bmr.htm

Your ideal goal therefore is to consume calories somehere in between your BMR and your AMR.....
As long as you are eating between your BMR and your AMR you will lose weight no matter whose eating plan you do.

The basic principle is if you eat less calories they your body needs to keep you a sleep for 24 hours a day then it will start to go into starvation mode shutting down all non essential life functions and hanging on to pounds for survival.

If you eat more then your body needs for all of its activities then you will gain weight no matter who's eating plan you are following. DR Atkins said this in the FAQ section of chapter 11 of DANDR third edition but many of you skipped that or didn't understand it. It is the second paragraph of the first question about counting calories.

As long as you are eating between your BMR and your AMR you will lose weight no matter whose eating plan you do. We choose Atkins because of the health advantages, and ketogenic advantages; craving control, appetite suppression and higher caloric intake to lose weight.
DR Atkins ketogenic diet is 65% fats, 30% protein and 5% carbs (except during induction when it is under 20 net carbs) based on your total caloric intake.

2big4mysize

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Please remember that any changes made in body weight/physical activity etc. will change your BMR/AMR and BMI, therefore adjust accordingly.