If you have visited either of our studios or attended any of our seminars, you probably know we take a very scientific approach to fitness and wellness. Sometimes that means taking a point that we know runs counter to some of our medical professionals. One area where we feel strongly about this is in the area of determining RMR, or Resting Metabolic Rate testing.
The classic formula used by Dietitians is called the Harris-Benedict Formula, and can provide a very competent number for most people (people we would refer to as being part of the "normal metabolic bell curve"). The formula takes into account gender, age, height, weight; the usual variables. In most cases the formula can give you a good starting point, and if you are lucky, you can develop a fairly effective weight management program using this figure.
The problem we have found is that it does not take into account some of the metabolic differences that each individual may have: affected sleep, medications, exercise history, meal partitioning, body composition, thyroid function, etc. These factors can speed up or slow down an individual's metabolic rate, making the formula little more than a good guess. his can throw of the accuracy of the formula by up to 25%! Can you imagine dieting for a couple months and finding out you have been UNDEREATING for months, completely sabatoging your efforts to lose bodyfat (instead, you lost lean mass!!).
There is a method of measuring metabolism called "indirect calorimetry" and it actually measures a persons respiration and rate of energy transfer while breathing. The device can be called a BodyGem, a MedGem, or Korr system. Medical professionals can perform a test using a Douglas Bag/Cart, but the procedure would need to be prescribed or referred, the previous examples can be performed by specific individuals or businesses. Why does this matter?
We spend most of our day, it is assumed, at rest (requiring little more than maintanence energy expenditure). This is what resting metabolic rate refers to: the amount of energy your body needs to maintain normal metabolic function. Standard body temperature, respiration, heart rate, brain function, system function...all of these systems and needs require energy 24 hours a day. This is why RMR represents about 60-70% of a normal person's metabolic need; the rest is energy required for digestion, activities of daily living, stress, and exercise. Once you know exactly how much energy you need, it becomes a LOT easier to detrmine the correct amount for weight management.
This test has been montioned on a great new medical information show called "The Doctors", and RMR testing has also been mentioned in the previous month's issue of "Oprah". We offer the test, but more important, we know how to explain the number and what it means and how to use it. Shop around your area for practitioners offering the test, it should run less than 100.00 (we offer it for 50.00 outright, or 40.00 if you attend one of our seminars), and see if this can be the secret to reaching your goals for 2009 and beyond. Want proof? I determined my RMR using the H-B formula and I came up to 1670 calories per day...using the BodyGem, my reading is 2090. I would be undereating by 420 calories per day if I followed that number for my meal planning...I would lose close to 40 pounds of LEAN MASS in a year! No thanks!
