Your metabolism is a biochemical process that combines nutrients with oxygen to produce the energy your body needs to function. Metabolism is measured in calories, and the number of calories you burn depends on your basal metabolic rate (BMR), how much you exercise, and your body’s muscle to fat ratio.

The BMR refers to the number of calories your body burns while at rest to maintain vital functions like brain activity, heartbeat and digestion. This accounts for 50 to 75% of your daily caloric expenditure. To determine your resting metabolism, simply enter your age, weight and height into the fields below to estimate the number of calories your body burns while at rest.

One important factor that affects your metabolic rate lies in the amount of lean muscle in your body. Lean muscle mass is a main consumer of energy in your body. This is why exercise is essential to a weight loss program. Weight bearing and cardiovascular exercises help build lean muscle, thereby increasing your basal metabolism and helping to burn more fat while at rest. Additionally, 15 to 40 percent of the calories you burn come from all of the various activities you perform throughout the day. This includes anything from gardening, cleaning the house, to washing the car. The more active you are, the healthier your metabolism and your body will become!