BMR vs RMR

bampitt

A few months ago, I paid to have a resting metabolic rate test at my gym.

I came in early in the morning on an empty stomach and reclined in a chair for about 40 minutes in a dark room while hooked up to a machine.

My RMR came out at 1777.

However, when I go online and do a BMR, I get 1492.

If I'm trying to do the TDEE, which number should I be using for my calculations? I think I should use the RMR because it was an actual test and more likely accurate than just doing the online BMR calculator.

Thoughts?

Thanks.

Fit_Canuck

A few months ago, I paid to have a resting metabolic rate test at my gym.

I came in early in the morning on an empty stomach and reclined in a chair for about 40 minutes in a dark room while hooked up to a machine.

My RMR came out at 1777.

However, when I go online and do a BMR, I get 1492.

If I'm trying to do the TDEE, which number should I be using for my calculations? I think I should use the RMR because it was an actual test and more likely accurate than just doing the online BMR calculator.

Thoughts?

Thanks.

The RMR test you took sound more accurate than the only calculators, they guesstimate a lot of factors where as the physical test will take into account your body fat, lean muscle mass and various other factors.

bampitt

Thanks, Fit_Canuck

That's what I was thinking, too. I just upped my calories using the BMR but I think it should be the RMR,

Oi vey! How am I going to eat all those calories!

CallMeCupcakeDammit

When my dietitian figured out my calories for me, she used my RMR x 1.3 to be on the safe side (for lightly active), then subtracted 500 from that.

Fit_Canuck

I was surprised when the online calculators pegged me at 2000 BMR but when I had the real test done it was clocked in at 2399...I was under-eating so much. Been seeing great improvement since I upped my calories

RMR x 1.3 to be on the safe side (for lightly active), then subtracted 500 from that like Rach said is basically what I'm on from my sports dietitian

CoderGal

I was surprised when the online calculators pegged me at 2000 BMR but when I had the real test done it was clocked in at 2399...I was under-eating so much. Been seeing great improvement since I upped my calories

RMR x 1.3 to be on the safe side (for lightly active), then subtracted 500 from that like Rach said is basically what I'm on from my sports dietitian

So far everyone seems to be higher then they think. Interesting. Canuck, what was your bmr*activity level vs your rmr*activity levek-500? This may explain why I've been pigging out without gaining.

Another question i havent been able to get an answer to, what is the difference between bmr and rmr, can they be used interchangably? Wiki suggests yes

Fit_Canuck

I was surprised when the online calculators pegged me at 2000 BMR but when I had the real test done it was clocked in at 2399...I was under-eating so much. Been seeing great improvement since I upped my calories

RMR x 1.3 to be on the safe side (for lightly active), then subtracted 500 from that like Rach said is basically what I'm on from my sports dietitian

So far everyone seems to be higher then they think. Interesting. Canuck, what was your bmr*activity level vs your rmr*activity levek-500? This may explain why I've been pigging out without gaining.

Another question i havent been able to get an answer to, what is the difference between bmr and rmr, can they be used interchangably? Wiki suggests yes

So my online BMR calculator results were a little under 2000 calories but the official RMR test they did said 2399 calories.

BMR and RMR are basically the same thing, RMR is just because they put you at rest for a period of time, for me it was roughly 45mins. But when it comes down to it, it's the same thing.

So right now my BMR/RMR is 2399 * 1.3 - 500 = so about 2600 calories. I eat about 3100 calories a day right now and exercise about 500-600 so I try to stay in +/- range of 100 cals and my body fat went down nearly 4% in 3 months.

_Kitten_Kate

From what I understand... your BMR IS slightly less than your RMR. Your BMR is basal... being that is what it takes your organs to function normally..in a coma. Your RMR is what you would burn when you are RESTING.... conscious... on the couch watching TV/reading... or sleeping... very little movement.

My tested RMR... done for 10 mins...was 1757... and calculated from that ...my BMR is 1604.

CoderGal

From what I understand... your BMR IS slightly less than your RMR. Your BMR is basal... being that is what it takes your organs to function normally..in a coma. Your RMR is what you would burn when you are RESTING.... conscious... on the couch watching TV/reading... or sleeping... very little movement.

My tested RMR... done for 10 mins...was 1757... and calculated from that ...my BMR is 1604.

I didnt know you could calculate your bmr from rmr? I thought it was a straight up calculation?

_Kitten_Kate

From what I understand... your BMR IS slightly less than your RMR. Your BMR is basal... being that is what it takes your organs to function normally..in a coma. Your RMR is what you would burn when you are RESTING.... conscious... on the couch watching TV/reading... or sleeping... very little movement.

My tested RMR... done for 10 mins...was 1757... and calculated from that ...my BMR is 1604.

I didnt know you could calculate your bmr from rmr? I thought it was a straight up calculation?

I am not sure how it is done...
Heybales did mine for me... So, not sure.

bampitt

Fantastic replies, everyone!

Thanks so much for the information.

Hellohova

Where do you guys get tested for the RMR? Officially..

ForecasterJason

What I'm wondering is why most calculators that calculate TDEE do so from BMR instead of an RMR estimate. After factoring in my activity level, it appears as though my BMR is certainly higher than estimates. Meaning, I'm estimating my BMR based on my actual calorie intake and activity level to be 75-150 calories higher than calculators I see online. But if I calculate my TDEE from a RMR estimate, that seems a lot closer to what it actually is.