Research Testing Results (Resting Metabolic Rate...et al.)

He All, I really haven't felt like initiating posts in the past month, but I thought I would step on out today. Today was my 6 month research testing with the exercise physiology, cardiology and respiratory therapy folk at MCV. What I learned: My resting metabolic rate shows that I am burning almost 1600/day calories when at rest--my baseline metabolic rate! I have been working very hard on the exercise with hiking, walking and arm exercises. Add all calories burned in exercise and I would be at my break even point, cutting 500 cal will produce a wt loss of 1 lb/week. I now know how much to cut to lose what I want to lose per week. Why did I learn more about this from the respiratory therapist than from the nut 6 weeks ago? Go figure. My BMI has gone from 43.3 to 27.5. I have lost 13% or my body mass (not weight!). That is fat mass. At the same time I have GAINED in lean muscle mass, by all my hiking and walking. My bone density has not dropped and is still almost off the charts. Guess that means I don't need to up my calcium. I am below normal for my age and height in % body fat (??) which is 34%. I was 47% body fat when the research project started, pre-surgery. I am way ABOVE normal in bone density. The kinesiologist said he will probably have to change his treadmill protocol because I went to the penultimate level (next to last)--17.5% INCLINE for more than 2 minutes. HR at maximum was 149 amd BP 158/80.--And this at 6 months post-op. My resting heart rate was 47 (!!), resting BP 87/52. All good things. Sometimes I feel guilty feeling so good physically when I am in pain emotionally. But, that pain is easing some. My story, glad AND sad, but true. Am working in Cody's place with the contractor, until school starts, or until he finds a permanent replacement for her, whichever comes first. Love to all, especially all the supporters who have and continue to support me, Lois

You go girl keep up the great job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And your body is showing it......

Hi Sweetie....I hope that all is well with you. I am proud of you and all the effort you are putting into this excersise thing. You are looking amazing and I am so proud of you; If you want to email me, please feel free. Love ya. Hugs Betsy

Hey Lois, Wow, what a cool research project you are participating in. It really gives you a great insight on how your body has reacted post op, and the wonderful success you have achieved in the past 6 months. Keep up the great work. It will help you heal emotionally, to know that your health is so improved. Cody would be very proud of those results too! Wendy

Lois, That is a neat program that you are participating in - I would love to know all the things that you know about your body. It sounds like you are doing exceptionally well in the study. Keep up the great work!! I know you are still very sad but you have a lot of things going on to keep you motivated and a lot of love here on the board.... Love Jackie