Weight loss calorie calculator – BMR and BMI explained
BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate)
Your BMR is the number of calories you would burn if you stayed in bed all day as you use energy no matter what you’re doing, even when sleeping. Your BMR decreases as you age so it becomes harder to stay slim as you get older. Likewise, depriving yourself of food in hopes of losing weight also decreases your BMR, which is a trap many people fall into.
However, a regular routine of physical activity that includes cardiovascular exercise and exercises to help build muscle mass as well as a diet that includes metabolism-boosting foods, can increase your BMR.
This will improve your overall health and fitness when your body’s ability to burn energy gradually slows down.
How to calculate your BMR?
You can Calculate your BMR with our BMR calculator.
BMI (Body Mass Index)
Your BMI is a measurement that uses a scientific formula to determine a person’s safest, healthiest weight based upon their body weight and their height together.
Having a high BMI can be associated with serious health risks including:
- Obesity
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Stroke
- Sleep Apnea
How to calculate your BMI?
You can Calculate your BMI with our BMI calculator or lean how to calculate your BMI Manually.
How to calculate your BMI manually without a BMI Calculator?
- Calculate your weight in kilograms (for example 65 kilos)
- Take your height in meters (so for example 1.6meters) and square it – so 1.6m x 1.6m = 2.56
- Then divide your weight in kilograms by your height squared – so 65 divided by 2.56 – which would give a BMI of 23
What do the results of the BMI Calculator mean?
Your BMI provides a helpful guideline for helping you to achieve a healthy weight. You can interpret your BMI results as follows:
- Below 20 = slender-lean
- 20 to 25 = ideal weight range
- 25 to 30 = overweight (25-27 could be a healthy range if large-boned and heavily muscled)
- 30 and above = very overweight/high risk
- 40 and above = extremely overweight/high risk for health complications
*Please note that BMI results are to be used as a guide only.
Work out your daily calorie intake with a weight loss calculator
This calculator will give you your BMR calories. It will also give you your daily energy needs in calories.
Your daily energy needs is the calories your body needs after taking into account your BMR and your daily activity level. Knowing these figures will help you to set realistic weight loss goals.
In order to lose weight, you should reduce your daily energy needs calorie intake number by approximately 15 – 20%.
*(this may need to be higher or lower depending on your individual needs).
If you have a large amount of weight to lose you may want to reduce calories by more than 20- 25%, or if you have a small amount of weight to lose you may want to reduce by 10%.
*Please note we do not recommend consuming less calories than your BMR calories.
(and good news is that our Healthy Mummy app has a built in BMR calculator)
How to use calorie intake number or BMR calories?
Once you have worked out your BMR and looked gotten an idea of how many calories you need to consume each day the next step is to create a meal plan to help you reach those calories healthily.
Depending you on your regular eating habits this could mean 3 meals and 2-3 snacks a day or maybe you prefer to just eat a selection of smaller meals rather than the 3 main meals a day. However, you plan out meals you should keep your BMR calories in mind, especially when trying to lose weight.
Our weight loss plans are based on approximately 1400/1500 calories a day and this suits most people. If you find you are still hungry most days and have hit your daily calorie intake as per your meal plan then you may have a calorie intake and you may need to adjust your plan accordingly.
On the other hand if you are getting to the end of your meal plan for the day and just feel really full, or you aren’t quite eating it all you may need to consume fewer calories, and therefore adjust your meal plan accordingly.
What to do if you are breastfeeding?
If you are breastfeeding, you need to increase your calories by approximately 300 – 500 per day to assist in milk supply production.
As your daily energy expenditure typically increases when you are breastfeeding, as some of your calories are going to feed your baby, it’s best to review the amount of calories you are eating whilst you are breastfeeding.
*Please note that these are guides and you should listen to your body and if you need more snacks you should eat them and you should never starve yourself or go hungry if you are trying to lose weight. If you are also full then you don’t need to force yourself to eat. Always listen to your body and adjust calories accordingly.
Work on your weight loss goals with The Healthy Mummy.
Our 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge includes thousands of healthy meals that can be included in any meal plan to create a healthy diet for you on your journey to lose weight.
You also get access to hundreds of exercises that can be done at home with little to no equipment. These range from quick workouts for when you only have a few minutes to full-length 30-minute workouts when you really want to get your body moving.
All this is as well as motivation, support and guidance is available in the palm of your hand with The Healthy Mummy App.
Find out more or join the 28 Day Challenge today!
Don’t forget to also join our private Facebook group full of mums just like you who are trying to lose weight and get healthy.
Check out amazing results from mums using our plans below
Renee Has Lost 46kg
This beautiful and hard-working lady has lost an amazing 46kgs using the The Healthy Mummy 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge and Weight loss smoothies.
Renee says, “At times I feel as though progress is slow. But in hindsight, 17 months is such a short amount of time in the grand scheme of things, considering that I lived every single day as an obese young woman for well over a decade.”
“The Healthy Mummy is just a part of my everyday life, I live and breathe it every minute of the day.
This weight loss journey has been so much more than me losing 46kgs*. The Healthy Mummy has given me the ability to make better choices for myself and my 7 year old son.”
Elle has lost 20kgs
“I have lost 25kg in just over a year following the Healthy Mummy lifestyle, but so much for me has changed, much more than just my weight.”
“From the age of 11, I always wanted long skinny legs – just like the models I saw on Fashion TV. I always HATED my chunky thighs. As I’ve lost weight and gained more confidence I now have learnt to embrace my legs. They are strong and I work them hard to look toned.”
“I have accepted I will never have gorgeous long skinny legs. But I will try to look the best I possibly can without compromising my health. Loving your body and nurturing it, finding your strengths is a BIG thing.”
Sascha lost 30kg
Sascha says, “Over 30kg gone from using The Healthy Mummy 28 Day Weight Loss Challenges and maintaining it couldn’t be more enjoyable”