What Is The Difference Between Active Calories And Total Calories

When tracking your fitness progress or managing your diet, terms like "active calories" and "total calories" can sometimes cause confusion. Understanding the difference between the two is key to achieving your health goals effectively.

What Are Active Calories?
Active calories represent the energy your body burns through physical activity. This includes exercise like running, swimming, or cycling, and even less intense activities like walking or doing household chores. Active calories exclude the energy your body uses for basic functions like breathing or digestion.

What Are Total Calories?
Total calories, on the other hand, represent the complete number of calories your body burns in a day. This includes active calories as well as your basal metabolic rate (BMR) — the energy your body needs to function at rest. Think of total calories as the sum of everything your body burns, not just during workouts but throughout the day for all bodily processes.

Why Does the Difference Matter?
If you're aiming for weight loss, weight maintenance, or muscle gain, knowing the distinction is crucial. Active calories help you understand how much extra energy you’re burning through activities, while total calories give a fuller picture of your overall energy expenditure. To create a calorie deficit or surplus (depending on your goals), you need to align your caloric intake with your total calorie burn.

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