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How to Calculate & Improve Your RMR (Resting Metabolic Rate)

Ziddis, have you ever asked yourself why some people can burn calories for breakfast and others can’t, despite eating fewer calories? The answer to this is something called Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR). Knowing and improving your RMR can be the answer to making weight loss less frustrating and more sustainable.

What is Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR)?

Your Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) is the number of calories that your body burns at rest to keep you alive. This includes breathing, digestion, circulation, and brain function.

While Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) is often used interchangeably with Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR), there is one difference:

  • BMR is measured in a lab
  • RMR is used in real life

So, RMR is used because it is closer to real life.

What is Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) Important For?

Your Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) is important because it contributes to 60-70% of your total daily calorie burn. This means that:

  • Fat loss
  • Weight maintenance
  • Energy levels depend on your Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR).

If your Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) is high, your body is burning calories for energy even when you are doing nothing.

Calculate Resting Metabolic Rate

One of the most accurate and commonly used equations for predicting RMR is the Mifflin-St Jeor equation.

For Women:

RMR=10W+6.25H-5A-161RMR=10W+6.25H-5A-161RMR=10W+6.25H-5A-161

Explanation of the variables:

  • W – weight in kilograms
  • H – height in centimetres
  •  A – age in years

Example:

Suppose your weight is 75 kilograms, your height is 160 centimetres, and your age is 25 years.

Then, your RMR ≈ is 1450 calories/day.

This means your body burns 1450 calories every day without any kind of exercise. If you multiply this by your activity level, you will get your daily caloric needs.

Resting Metabolism – What Affects It?

Several factors affect your RMR, some of which are beyond your control.

Muscle Mass

Muscle tissue burns more calories compared to fat, even when your body is at complete rest. The more muscle tissue your body has, the higher your RMR.

Age

As your body ages, your RMR will also decrease. This is due to the reduction in muscle tissue.

Hormones

The balance of hormones, particularly thyroid hormones, is an important determinant of your RMR. Other hormones, such as those with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), also affect your RMR.

Sleep

When you sleep poorly, you may not be as metabolically efficient and may have more hunger hormones, making it more difficult to lose fat.

Dieting History

When you crash diet repeatedly, you may end up lowering your RMR over time. This is partly due to reduced muscle mass and reduced physical activity levels.

How to Increase Resting Metabolism

The best news is that you can increase your RMR through various methods.

1. Strength Training

Strength training is one of the best ways to increase your RMR in the long term. Muscles contribute to increased calorie burn at rest.

Recommended frequency: 3-5 times per week, emphasising progressive overload.

2. Consume Adequate Protein

Protein is essential for building and repairing muscles. Protein is also more “thermogenic,” meaning you burn more calories when you digest it.

Recommended protein intake: 1.6-2.2 grams per kg body weight.

3. Increase NEAT

NEAT is all physical activity outside of training, including walking, cleaning, or even fidgeting.

Increasing your NEAT levels can significantly increase your calorie burn over time.

4. Priorise Sleep & Recovery

Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep to keep hormones and metabolism in check. This will also prevent fat loss and increase energy levels.

5. Avoid Extreme Dieting

Extreme dieting can result in loss of muscle mass and reduced activity levels. This will eventually bring down your metabolism.

Instead, you should focus on achieving a moderate calorie deficit that will result in fat loss while keeping you safe.

Common Myth: “Starvation Mode”

Common Myth: “Starvation Mode”

It is said that if you do not eat food for a while, your body will stop fat loss altogether. This is not true.

This is not true because if you do not eat food for a while, you will lose muscle mass and energy levels. This will bring down your metabolism and make fat loss slower. This does not mean that fat loss has stopped. It has slowed down. It has not stopped.

Read Also: Reverse Dieting: Fixing Your Metabolism After Crash Diets

Takeaway

Your body’s metabolism is not fixed. It can be altered. The most important thing to keep in mind is that Muscle mass is the biggest driver of your Resting Metabolism Rate.

Instead of going for quick fixes and extreme dieting, you should focus on building muscle mass. You can take the help of Creatine or other muscle-building gym supplements too!

The Blue Zone Diet: What to Eat to Live Longer

Hello Ziddis! Have you ever thought, what if the key to a longer and healthier life is not about a strict diet but about a way of living that naturally supports our well-being? That is exactly what researchers found in the world’s ‘Blue Zones,’ which are areas around the world where people generally live longer and healthier than anywhere else. Some of these Blue Zones include Okinawa (Japan), Sardinia (Italy), Ikaria (Greece), Nicoya (Costa Rica), and Loma Linda (California). While they all have different cultural characteristics, they share similar characteristics in terms of how they eat, how they live, and how they interact with one another. Now, let us examine what this Blue Zone diet is all about and how you can apply this in your own Indian context.

Blue Zone Diet

The Blue Zone diet is not technically a diet at all. Rather, it is a way of eating that is characterised by:

  • Predominantly plant-based (90-95% of food intake)
  • Emphasis on whole and unprocessed foods
  • Low levels of added sugars and processed foods
  • Moderate levels of healthy fats and calories

    Rules of thumb that are good to follow are:

    • Plants first: Vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds are the foundation.
    • Legumes daily: Beans, lentils, and chickpeas are the primary source of protein.
    • Healthy fats: Olive oil, nuts, and seeds are the preferred choice instead of other oil products.
    • Minimal animal products: Meat is consumed in minimal amounts and not as the main course.
    • Natural eating habits: People stop eating when they are 80% full. This practice is referred to as ‘Hara Hachi Bu’ in Okinawa.

      Blue Zone Diet Meal Plan

      Let’s see how the simple and conventional Indian food pattern can be followed according to the Blue Zone Diet:

      Breakfast

      • Vegetable poha with peanuts.
      • Oats with nuts, seeds, and fruits.
      • Herbal tea or black coffee.

      Lunch

      • Dal.
      • 1-2 Rotis (whole wheat or other grains like Jowar and Bajra).
      • Sabzi.
      • A small amount of curd. You have mentioned that you are allergic to milk. Therefore, it is better to choose plant-based curd.

      Snack

      Dinner

      • Khichdi.
      • Vegetable soup with whole-grain toast.

      Optional

      • A handful of nuts daily.
      • Sweets made with Jaggery instead of Sugar.
      • Whey protein is a good option for workout time energy boost

      Blue Zone Diet Food List

      Eat more of:Reduce Eating:
      • Legumes: Dal, Rajma, Chole, Lobia• Processed foods like chips and packaged snacks
      • Whole grains: Brown rice, millets like Ragi, Jowar, Bajra• Sugary drinks and desserts
      • Vegetables: Leafy veggies, gourds, carrots, cruciferous veggies• Refined flour products like maida-based food
      • Fruits: Seasonal and local• Excessive consumption of red and processed meats
      • Nuts & Seeds: Almonds, walnuts, flaxseeds, sesame seeds
      • Healthy Fats: Cold-pressed oils like mustard oil and groundnut oil; coconut in moderation

      Blue Zone Diet for Vegetarians

      The good news is that this lifestyle is already vegetarian-friendly. The best part is that the Blue Zone diet consists of a lot of plant-based protein. So if you are a vegetarian, you can easily adopt this diet by:

      • Eating dal and rice
      • Eating soy products like tofu and soybean chunks
      • Eating nuts and seeds for protein and fat
      • Eating a variety of foods to ensure you are getting a broad spectrum of nutrients

        If you are allergic to dairy, you can have almond and coconut curds and milk.

        Beyond Food: The Lifestyle Factor

        In addition to diet, the people in the Blue Zones also have the following lifestyle factors in common, which contribute to their longevity:

        • Natural movement: They walk, garden, or engage in chores.
        • Strong social connections: They have family and social support.
        • Purpose in life: They have found their “Ikigai” or reason for living.
        • Stress reduction: They have found ways to reduce stress through prayer, napping, or taking their time for things.

          These are all equally important as the food they eat.

          Read Also: Keto vs. Low Carb Diet: Key Differences You Should Know

          Takeaway

          The Blue Zone diet is not about deprivation. It’s about simplicity, balance, and consistency in what we put into our bodies. To incorporate the Blue Zone diet into your lifestyle, try to eat mostly plant-based, home-cooked meals, make legumes and whole grains your main staples, exercise daily, nurture your relationships and reduce your stress.

          Sleep and Magnesium: Is there really a link between the two?

          There is a good chance that you could be training regularly, getting your protein needs met, and following a routine. But after all of this, if your sleep is not restorative, your progress will hit a plateau. This is because recovery does not take place during training. It happens during sleep. One of the commonly overlooked factors affecting the quality of sleep is magnesium.

          Is Sleep Quality Really Important?

          Sleep is not a mere time of resting. It is an active phase during which the body experiences repair and regeneration. During deep sleep, muscle tissue is rebuilt, the growth hormone is released and the nervous system is reset.

          However, many people have problems with the quality of sleep, not the quantity of sleep.Even if you are getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep, many factors like stress, screen time and lifestyle habits can lead to a disturbed sleep pattern where your sleep quality is compromised. As a result, the body does not fully recover.

          What does Magnesium do?

          Magnesium is an essential mineral with hundreds of biochemical processes in the body. It is of importance when it comes to sleep and recovery. It plays a role in regulating the neurotransmitters that help calm the nervous system. Magnesium supports the activity of the compound called ‘GABA’ which comprises reducing brain activity and preparation of the body for sleep.

          Second, it is involved in stress management. High cortisol levels can make the body feel on stress and unable to relax. Magnesium in turn helps to regulate this stress response so that the body can move into a more relaxed state.

          Third, magnesium is important in muscle relaxation. It helps to reduce muscle tension, cramps and involuntary contractions, which can all interfere with uninterrupted sleep.

          What are the Effects of Low Magnesium Levels?

          There is an inverse relationship between insufficient magnesium levels and poor sleep quality. You can also sleep enough but still feel fatigued, wake up often  or have trouble sleeping.  

          This is because the body is in a partly activated state. The brain does not fully relax and the muscles do not completely release the tension. This can cause an issue with the performance, recovery and overall well being in a longer run.

          Why Is Deficiency Common?

          Magnesium deficiency is more common than you have heard of it. Modern eating habits, which tend to include processed food, may not be a good source of this mineral.  Additionally, factors like intense physical activity and chronic stress can also cause a rise in the need for Magnesium in the body. People who workout also lose Magnesium in sweat.

          What are the Dietary Sources of Magnesium?

          Magnesium can be found in a proper diet. Food high in Magnesium are: 

          • Almonds
          • Cashews
          • Seeds such as pumpkin seeds 
          • Green leafy vegetables like spinach
          • Whole Grains
          • Dark chocolate

          Even though these sources are good, it is difficult to maintain optimal intake from diet alone. This is true especially for people who have a busy lifestyle that they have to maintain. 

          What are the Dietary Sources of Magnesium

          Considering Supplementation

          In cases of insufficient diet intake, it is important to include a supplement in the diet as well. Usually, the people prefer forms like magnesium glycinate due to the absorption and calming properties.

          Intake of magnesium about 30 to 60 minutes before sleep can help relax and improve the quality of sleep with time. It is important to note that magnesium is not a sedative. Instead it supports the body’s natural processes for sleeping. 

          Holistically Supporting Better Sleep

          While magnesium may play a supporting role, it should be part of a broader approach to sleep hygiene. Maintaining a regular sleep schedule, minimizing screen time before bedtime, avoiding caffeine in the late evening hours, and making the room sleep-friendly are all important practices.

          Read Also: Why Sleep Quality Matters More Than Sleep Hours

          Conclusion

          Sleep is a very important aspect of recovery and the quality affects performance and overall health directly. Magnesium is an important nutrient that is too often overlooked for its role in promoting the processes that allow us to achieve a deep and restful sleep.

          For those having poor sleep despite consistent training and nutrition, correcting magnesium intake may be a great step in finding better recovery and better results.

          Importance of Fibre in a High Protein Diet

          High-protein diets are commonly used for fat loss, muscle building, and increased satiety. However, there is a very important nutrient that is often forgotten in the process, which is fibre. While protein is used for building and metabolism, fibre is used for digestion, gut health, and overall health. Without enough fibre, a well-designed high-protein diet will not feel complete, and digestive problems will occur. Lets discuss the importance of fibre in healthy life.

          Importance of Fibre

          Fibre is a carbohydrate that is not digested by the body and not used for energy, but rather it goes through the digestive system, providing several functions.

          When you increase your protein intake, especially from sources like meat, eggs, or protein powders, you will also inadvertently lower your fibre intake, especially if you don’t consume enough plant-based foods. This will slow your digestive process.

          Using Fibre for:

          • Regulating bowel movements and preventing constipation
          • Maintaining a healthy digestive system
          • Supporting gut bacteria (very important for your overall health, including your metabolism and immune system)
          • Assisting your body in nutrient utilisation

            In simple words, protein is used for building, and fibre is used for maintaining a smooth system.

            Advantages of Eating Fibre

            Consuming sufficient amounts of fibre in your daily meals can be advantageous in the following ways, especially in combination with a high-protein, rich-diet:

            1. Improved Digestive Health: Fibres increase the bulk of your stool, making passing stool easy without causing digestive problems.

            2. Promoting a Healthy Gut: Some types of fibre are known as prebiotics which helps in promoting a healthy gut by feeding the good bacteria in your digestive system.

            3. Increased Satiety: Fibres help in slowing down the digestive process, making you feel fuller for longer.

            4. Regulated Blood Sugar Levels: Fibres slow down the rate at which sugar is absorbed in your body, thereby regulating your blood sugar levels and ensuring that you are always energised.

            5. Heart Health: Some types of fibre are soluble, which help in reducing cholesterol levels in your blood, thereby promoting heart health.

              Dietary Importance of Fibre

              The daily requirement of fibre in your meals should be:

              • Women: 25-30 grams/day
              • Men: 30-38 grams/day

              However, a majority of people, especially those on a high-protein diet, are not able to consume the daily requirement of fibre in their meals.

              High-fibre foods to include:

              • Fruits: Apples, bananas, berries, and pears
              • Vegetables: Broccoli, spinach, carrots, and peas
              • Whole grains: Oats, brown rice, and quinoa
              • Legumes: Lentils, chickpeas, and beans
              • Nuts and seeds: Chia seeds, flaxseeds, and almonds

                In case your diet comprises a lot of animal based products for their high protein content, then these foods need to be in your meal.

                Fibre Nutritional Benefits

                Fibre Nutritional Benefits

                Fibres not only aid in digestion but also improve how the body uses the nutrients obtained from the food consumed.

                • Improves nutrient absorption by keeping the digestive system healthy
                • Supports weight management by controlling calorie consumption
                • Promotes detoxification by helping in efficient waste removal
                • Reduces inflammation by keeping the digestive system healthy
                • Regulates hormones, especially for women

                  Incorporating fibre with protein results in a more balanced and sustainable nutrition plan.

                  Read Also: Your Complete Guide to a Plant Based Protein Diet

                  Takeaway

                  A high protein diet will definitely get you to your fitness goals sooner than later, but without fibre in your diet, you may be subject to health complications. This is due to the fact that fibre ensures efficient digestion.

                  The solution to this problem is simple: A high-protein diet with fiber for example, oats protein and fit foods, ensures a diet that is not only effective but also sustainable and healthy.

                  How MuscleBlaze Tests Protein: From Raw Material to Finished Tub

                  Quality protein is not something that occurs by accident; it is the result of a quality testing process that starts from the raw materials to the finished tub being ready for market distribution. For us at MuscleBlaze, there are 262 quality parameters that are tested at different stages of the manufacturing process to guarantee quality, safety, and nutritional correctness of the protein powder. Here is a simplified overview of how the testing process works.

                  MuscleBlaze Protein Testing Process

                  Unlike other protein powders that are tested at the end of the manufacturing process, our testing process for protein occurs at multiple stages of the manufacturing process.

                  The testing process for protein powder occurs at four different stages:

                  • Raw material qualification
                  • Pre-production testing
                  • In-process testing during manufacturing
                  • Final testing

                    MuscleBlaze Quality Assurance

                    Quality assurance begins with the qualification and verification of the suppliers and the quality of the ingredients. This includes the verification of all the ingredients used in the product, such as whey protein, cocoa, and flavourings. We also adhere to all the existing food safety protocols, such as HACCP, VACCP, and TACCP, to ensure the safety of the product and to avoid any kind of ingredient fraud. This ensures the quality and reliability of the product.

                    MuscleBlaze Protein Testing Steps Explained

                    1. Raw Material Testing

                    In this phase, all the ingredients used in the product are tested. This includes:

                    • Nutritional content (proteins, fats, carbohydrates)
                    • Chemical tests
                    • Heavy metals
                    • Physical tests, such as appearance and size
                    • Packaging materials also undergo testing to ensure their strength, leakage, and safety.

                      2. Pre-Production Checks

                      Before the actual production process begins, the product formula and conditions are checked. This includes:

                      • Sensory testing of whey protein (taste and smell testing)
                      • Water testing is done in this phase
                      • Implementation of food safety protocols

                        This is done to ensure a standard is set before the actual production begins.

                        3. Testing During Production

                        In this phase, the product is regularly monitored. The parameters checked by the technicians include:

                        • Moisture content
                        • pH levels
                        • Blend consistency

                          Strict segregation practice is implemented to make sure that only quality products are used in the production process to maintain the quality and purity of the product.

                          4. Final Product Testing

                          After the production process is complete, the final products are tested in the laboratory to ensure their quality and purity. This testing includes:

                          • Protein content and nutritional values
                          • Presence of heavy metals and contaminants
                          • Microbial safety – presence of E. coli and Salmonella
                          • Pesticide residues

                            In addition to this, the products also undergo tests to ensure their mixability and stability to ensure that they retain their efficacy over their lifespan.

                            MuscleBlaze Lab Testing Standards

                            MuscleBlaze Lab Testing Standards

                            We at MuscleBlaze use internal testing standards in combination with third-party testing to ensure the accuracy of its testing. This way, any potential error in the testing process is minimised. During the sourcing process, manufacturing process, and final testing process, 262 parameters are tested to ensure the quality of the products.

                            Read Also: Why Cheap Supplements Are Expensive in the Long Run

                            Takeaway

                            The protein testing is important to make sure what reaches you is safe and useful for you, for which we take utmost care and effort. What comes to you is a result of many tests and trials of formulation, which can help you in your fitness journey. Whether a supplements, oats protein or Fit Foods MuscleBlaze is dedicated to ensuring that only the best quality reaches you!

                            Why Cheap Supplements Are Expensive in the Long Run

                            On the face of it, cheap supplements appear to be a sound decision. Lower price, same claims, same promises, same “high potency,” same “premium quality,” same “advanced formula.” But the supplement industry is one of the simplest markets to convincingly fake quality in, since most people don’t know how to read between the lines. Cheap supplements don’t save you money. They merely move the cost elsewhere. Cheap supplements aren’t cost-effective; they’re inefficient. And inefficiency is always costly in the long run.

                            Supplement Bioavailability

                            Bioavailability is what your body can actually absorb and utilise, not what the box says.

                            Cheap supplements contain:

                            • Low-quality mineral salts (oxides, carbonates)
                            • Poorly absorbed vitamins
                            • Fillers that inhibit digestion
                            • Unstable compounds that break down before they can be absorbed

                              So even if it says “1000 mg” on the box, your body may only be able to absorb a small portion of it. The cost of inefficiency is that if you continue to take supplements, but your body never gets to a therapeutic level, all the effort, time and money go down the drain, and you will need to start from square one again.

                              GMP Certified Supplements

                              Cheap brands look for ways to save money where you can’t see it:

                              • Manufacturing practices
                              • Clean room procedures
                              • Raw material procurement
                              • Testing of batches
                              • Contamination testing

                                Without proper GMP manufacturing procedures, supplements can be at risk for:

                                • Heavy metal contamination
                                • Bacterial overgrowth
                                • Cross-contamination
                                • Inconsistent dosing
                                • Unstable storage conditions

                                The hidden cost is that you pay less upfront, but you may face:

                                • Health problems
                                • Digestive problems
                                • Long-term exposure to toxicity
                                • Inconsistent dosing stability

                                  Synthetic vs. Natural Nutrients

                                  “Synthetic” isn’t a bad word, but cheap synthetic compounds do not absorb well. Cheap brands use:

                                  • Isolated nutrient forms with low bioactivity that were first created in a lab
                                  • Inorganic compounds
                                  • Non-food-grade materials
                                  • Artificial stabilisers to increase shelf life

                                    These may look good on the label, but they don’t hold up biologically. Your body is meant to take in nutrients that are compatible with it, not those created in a lab. The hidden cost is that your body has to work harder to process them, absorb less, and gain less benefit. You might notice slower progress, weaker results, more cycles of supplementation, and excessive stacking.

                                    Nutraceutical Quality Control

                                    Nutraceutical Quality Control  

                                    Cheap brands come from marketing, not real formulation science. They do this by:

                                    • Underdosing key ingredients
                                    • Hiding dosages in the formulation
                                    • Using tiny amounts of ingredients just for show
                                    • Including popular ingredients in ineffective amounts
                                    • Adding compounds without a biologically active form

                                      You aren’t getting true nutrition; you’re just getting a label. The hidden cost of cheap supplements is that you think you are supplementing smartly, but:

                                      • Your body never gets enough dosages
                                      • You waste time
                                      • You buy replacements, not real upgrades

                                        Cheap supplements waste your time, and time is the most precious resource you have.

                                        Read Also: Real Protein vs Nitrogen Tricks: Know the Difference

                                        Takeaway

                                        You won’t be saving money on cheap supplements. You’ll be throwing money away on failed promises, delayed failure. You’ll be throwing away time, health results, trust, future sales, stalled progress, and even your own safety, while appearing to save money. But what really matters, it turns out, is not the cost of a supplement, but the quality. Choose a function over form, supplements designed for human biology, not for Facebook ads. But the final truth is simple: a cheap supplement that does nothing is always more expensive than a quality supplement that does. Next time you are in the supplements aisle looking for protein powder or skimming through the labels to look for BCAA supplements, know that a low price can be a cover-up for low quality, too.