Resting Metabolic Rate

A month ago I had my body fat tested through hydrostatic weighing (underwater).   Today I had my resting metabolic rate calculated.  I was pleasantly surprised to hear that it is 1340 Kcals.  Higher than I anticipated given my years of morbid obesity and yo-yo dieting.  Even though I do moderate exercise 4-6 times per week I had her calculate my maintenance level at the sedentary rate (x1.2) because I have a desk job and sit all day.  So my level of maintenance Kcals calculates out to 1608.  Moderate exercise of 30 minutes a day might give me a cushion of 86 Kcals more per day.  So I'm looking at maintenance calories of 1600-1700 per day.  Not too shabby! 

I can honestly say that this calorie range feels about right.  For good or bad, I've been taking in a lot more calories lately than I normally would...and I haven't gained weight.  Another interesting tidbit, she tested my body fat using her hand-held gizmo.  It game out to 31%, which is 4.3% higher than the underwater testing.  Not horribly off, and I would prefer a machine like that to skew a bit higher than lower.  She admitted that the hand-held device is nowhere near as accurate as the hydrostatic weighing. 

When I start at Farrell's in a couple week the nutritionist warned me that my calories may need to increase because those are 45 minutes sessions and I would likely burn about 10 calories per minute.  My goal is to build up 3-4 lbs. of muscle and lose 5-6 lbs. of fat so I can get to 20% body fat.  That's where I want to maintain, regardless of the number on the scale. 

Going through these activities (underwater weighing, RMR testing) has helped me to get my focus off the scale and onto body composition. If you have these resources available, I would encourage you to make use of them.  My local college does both tests and one of the major grocery stores in the metro area have RDs and NUTs on staff; they do RMR testing as well.    

Tracy, it sounds like you are doing great! I've heard Farrell's is a real butt-kicker.

Ever since you had the hydrostatic testing I've been wanting to do it myself. Where did you have the RMR testing done, and how much was it (if you don't mind sharing)?

In the Omaha metro area you can go to UNO's exercise physiology dept. for the underwater weighing (you have to make an appointment) - I believe it was $45.  

All the Hy-Vees in our area with dieticians or nutritionists on staff offer the RMR testing for $55.  UNO does a more extensive 30-minute RMR test and I think they charge $60.  I went with Hy-Vee cuz I just couldn't face the parking nightmare that is UNO one more time - lol! 

Thanks! I figured it had to be Hy-Vee. Aside from my work hours, I think the parking situation is what's kept me from going to UNO for testing all this time! Every time I drive by there, I have flashbacks to having to park when I went there (and all that painful walking around campus as an obese student).

Lindsay - here's a parking tip:  make your appointment for 3:30 or later on a Wed or Fri afternoon.  Usually more parking available.  And park wherever your want; if you get a ticket as a visitor they will dismiss the first one :-)  

Haha, thanks for the tips! A Friday afternoon would be nice. I'd probably have to take off work early (supposed to work 8-5 and I doubt they do very late).

Ok to me Farrell's is a ice parlor and UNO 's is a pizza place ....where is my mind at this morning  !  I want to have my body fat tested, soon.  Looks like you are doing great

 Farrell's is Farrell's Extreme Bodyshaping, also known as FXB.  UNO is the University of Nebraska at Omaha.  But it's almost lunch time here so my mind is going the same direction - lol!  

Tracy. That's a WONDERFUL RMR!!  

Thanks, Kathy - let's hope it's in the ballpark of "accurate" - lol!