Active vs Total Calories

Understanding Active vs Total Calories: What You Need to Know

If you’re diving into calorie tracking, understanding the difference between active vs total calories is essential for reaching your fitness goals. Total calories refer to the overall energy your body burns in a day, including basic bodily functions like breathing, digestion, and circulation—this is often called your total daily energy expenditure (TDEE).

Active calories, on the other hand, represent the energy you burn through physical activities such as walking, running, or exercising. Unlike passive calories burned while at rest or sleeping, active calories are the ones you can directly influence by adjusting your daily movement.

Why is this important? If you’re trying to lose weight, stay fit, or build muscle, focusing on the balance between the calories you consume and the active vs total calories you burn is key. Eating fewer calories than your total calories burned leads to fat loss, while eating at a surplus can help build muscle (with a focus on strength training).

Tracking both active and total calories can offer a clear picture of your energy expenditure and help fine-tune your nutrition plan. The more precise your tracking, the more progress you’re likely to see in your desired goals.

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