Caloric Consumption vs. Caloric Burn

Total metabolic rate is the sum total rate of metabolic resting rate, metabolic activity rate and metabolic exercise rate. It is the total amount of calories burned in say a single day. This is also known as total energy expenditure.

• Metabolic Resting Rate is said to be the rate at which the body burns calories while the body is at rest. Click on the link to estimate what your metabolic resting rate is (Metabolic Rate Estimator).
• Metabolic Activity Rate is the rate at which the body burns calories due to simple daily activities like eating, walking, typing, putting on clothes.
• Metabolic Exercise Rate is the rate at which the body burns calories because of exercise. This is where the most potential energy can be burned to aid in weight loss.

Caloric consumption or energy consumption is the total amount of calories consumed say in a single day. This is contrasted by the total metabolic rate (i.e., energy expenditure rate) .

Energy Balance (i.e. caloric balance) refers to the relationship between caloric consumption and caloric expenditure (caloric consumption and metabolic burn rate). Consider the three possible energy or caloric balance equations.

1. When consumption is equal to expenditure, there is no weight gain.
2. When consumption is greater than expenditure, there is weight gain.
3. When consumption is less than expenditure or when expenditure is greater than consumption, there is weight loss.
   

Thus, the key to any successful, sustained weight loss program is to create a caloric deficit, where more calories are burned than what is consumed.