Metabolic testing

As I have also been struggling with the last 15 lbs. I went and had a resting and active metabolic test done last week. You breath into a tube for 15 minutes that is hooked to a computer and then it tells you how many calories you burn at rest which is the lowest number of calories you should comsume to keep your body from going into starvation mode. Also, per your activity level, it tells you the max number you can eat without gaining weight. Also tells what percent of your food is going to burn fat or carbs. Mine checked in at 1213 low and 1577 high. I was not eating enough to keep burning fat. But I also found out, I will gain weight at 1600. Not much wiggle room in there. I do exercise, so I can add that to the 1500 on days I work out. Anyway, for those struggling, this is a real help. If anyone is interested, I got mine done at the local Physical Therapy Center, so check out your local centers and see if they offer it. So now I know exactly where I have to be to lose the rest. Sara

hi sara. i like getting mine done every few months. another number i love is body fat percentage. it can tell you a lot. since i'm on the muscular side now and am short with butt and thughs, it is a much better than bmi.

Yes, that was on there also. Combined it give you a pretty good picture. I am going to have the exercise part of the test done next week. I just want to finish the losing part and do maintenance correctly. I will get the test done again after I hit goal. Sara

Thanks for this info Sara...I'm going to have to go have mine done. Thanks, Kerri

Sara, Did they explain to you how you can gain weight at 1600 calories a day? That is so low. I hope to goodness that is not a wls thing. And if you up your excersize does that number change? Thanks for the info. Wendy

Hi Wendy, Sorry to say, but those are just "my" numbers. As I am 55 years old plus all the years of dieting have taken a toll on my metabolism. Most peoples won't be that low. I just knew that the "average" that they tell you wasn't going to work for me, so wanted to know exactly where I was at. Has nothing to do with wls. As for the 1600 number, it was based on a min amount of activity, since I sit at a desk for most of the day. All the activity and gym will add to that number, but I wanted worst case and can adj from there when I get to goal. I know now that I have to eat 1200 a day min to stay out of starvation mode but can''t go over 1200 either. I also must equal 200 calories a day in activities (Gym, walking, etc.) to have a minus 500 calories a day to lose one lb per week. Sigh. But do-able. Sara

Sara, That is very interesting!! I may have to check into that too. I've been struggling with my last 25 lbs. for 3 months now. I always track my calories and protein since Day 1. Even though some website I went to gave me a 2,100 calorie goal for maintenance, I've concluded that if I go over 1550 calories, I gain weight. As my surgeon said, this surgery does NOT fix a slow metabolism. I've damaged mine considerably (as you have) with 40 years of excessive, crazy diets. Becky/lap rny/6-22-05 288/291