Metabolic Testing Results..

ThreePartBreath
ThreePartBreath Posts: 27
in Health and Weight Loss
Hey
Over the course of three years, give or take a bit, I have lost somewhere around 60LBs. Like many before me though I have gained back 20 of those Lbs and no longer feel satisfied with myself.
The problem I have is that it takes a substantial amount of work for me to lose any weight at all…No, I’m not a special snow flake, just a busy student. But I was seriously upset about my exhaustion with the whole process about a month ago and booked myself a RMR test.

Last Friday I went and had it done and my results came back that I have a slow metabolism…The dietician said that for the most part it’s normal.
I’m not sure how the whole process worked or how many of the numbers came up but on a chart that reads “How does your metabolism compare” my metabolism hits a nice -18%.

Ouch?

Now, the woman who did my test told me that to lose weight I could probably eat about 1500-1600 calories and manage at 2000. MFP gives me around 1400.

For the last few months there has been little to no calorie control. And for the first time ever I’m trying my best to weigh and measure 95% of what I eat (I’m still a student, and a younger woman. Sometimes I nibble or slurp or whatever, I feel it’s okay…I have my whole life to be 100% rigid. Right now I’d like to have a bit of fun- this doesn’t mean I go crazy and eat three chocolates without logging, I’m talking a sip of someone’s Latte or a bite of a puffed wheat square).

My question is: What do I believe? I have a slow metabolism. Okay, now I know and I can manage it. But do I go with MFP or the dietician? I feel like she was just giving me the same calorie count as anyone else. Your average person can maintain at 2000 calories, correct? So how is it that someone like me with a fairly turtle-paced fuel-burner can do the same? And is it possible for me to gain weight eating 1400 calories..? That seems impossible but I’m just not sure anymore.

I do work-out every day or at a minimum 6 days a week, cardio and weights combined and 5 days of the week I also have a yoga class. Exercise is a way for me to let go, blow off some steam and relax. I’d like to keep doing the same amount.

I know this is a pretty lengthy post but if anyone can give me some help I would really appreciate it.

P.s. I forgot to put my stats in and they might be important so here they are;
Gender – Female
Weight – 126-130
Goal weight – 118 - 120
Height – about 5’6

Replies

  • ThreePartBreath
    ThreePartBreath Posts: 27
    Bump..

    If anything does anyone have any tips on how to increase my metabolism?
  • xscat
    xscat Posts: 80 Member
    OK...

    I'm guessing most people don't actually understand what you are asking for: You have a slow(er) metabolism; but "the dietician said for the most part it's normal". Not sure how to interpret these two statements: is it normal, or is it not? Did you dietician give you any guidelines about how much you should be eating?
    And then it's your stats. You are already pretty slim and you are pretty close to your goal weight. I'd try to focus more on how I look than what the number reads on my scale... And I'd assume that you have been maintaining this weight for some time. So I don't see the problem with keeping doing what you have been doing and maybe a bit more strength training?
    Again, I'm no scientist and I have no clue about how my metabolism compares to others... But I'd go back to the dietician and ask for more detailed explanation and advice :)
  • Amelia7779
    Amelia7779 Posts: 53 Member
    Well if the dietitian was looking at your measured BMR then that's more accurate than MFP which uses just a general formula. What was your BMR as tested?

    I agree with the other poster who suggested body recomp instead of losing more weight
  • ThreePartBreath
    ThreePartBreath Posts: 27
    Thank-you for replying.

    To xScat: I don't really know hot to interpret it either...I'm honestly pretty miffed about the whole appointment. The woman who did it seemed kind of inexperienced and vague. It's partly my fault for not asking the right questions. She told me that I can probably (key: probably) maintain my current weight by eating 2000 calories and lose weight eating about 15-1700.

    I have been focusing mostly on the mirror and how clothes fit these days because I'm almost scared to step on the scale. It hurts to see it go up, y'know?
    As for going back to the dietician, I won't. It was pretty pricey and I just didn't like her, haha. However, I am looking into three different naturopath's in my area that have good reviews. One is also a doctor, so I'm hoping that he'll be open to see.
    If that doesn't pan out I will look into a closer, less expensive dietician.
    Thank-you again for replying.

    To Amerlia7779: My RMR came in at 1181 and then it factored in 354 calories for 'everyday activity' and another 147 for an estimated half hour of exercise....There's another part to the sheet that is focused on weight loss and it reads as follows: Maintenance = 1181 - 1535, weight loss zone 1000-1181 and medically supervised zone 0-1000.

    Right now I would like to stick to eating 1400-1500 calories but to lose weight I guess I have to drop to 1200...?
    I am trying to focus more on a recomp than losing, but I only have a hand full of dumbbells available to use (5-15, will be getting either 2x20 or 2x25 as a Bday gift soon) and live in the country with no mode of transportation of my own, so a gym membership isn't an option. I will try to work in more body weight and dumbbell routines through the week though and hopefully added repetition will benefit me.
    Thank-you for replying.
  • xscat
    xscat Posts: 80 Member
    Oh man... Talking about the anxiety associated with the scale going up with a former ED suffer lol.... Yep I know the feeling, know it too well unfortunately.

    And for me it's always been an trial-and-error process. My fear is that years of battling against ED had screwed up my metabolism... But we'll see in longer term if I gain or lose doing what I do. No I wouldn't recommend the magic 1200kcal diet. Did that for a while (but not really cuz I was following MFP exercising calories and eating them ALL back besides I wasn't measuring any of my food). I had to say i was miserable all the time and constantly feeling lack of energy to work out.

    I do hope you get a second opinion and better understanding :) After all it's your body and it should be between you and people who scientifically understand all of this
  • sargessexyone
    sargessexyone Posts: 494 Member
    How do they test your metabolism?
  • Leonidas_meets_Spartacus
    Leonidas_meets_Spartacus Posts: 6,198 Member
    I fall on the other end of the spectrum in metabolic tests. I have higher than normal metabolism which went up by 20% in last 3 months as I started losing weight. I follow the metabolism results, these formulas on the internet are just a wild guess. I am glad you took the initiative to get your metabolism measured, hopefully with a mask or in a vacuum chamber. MFP would recommend me to eat 400 cals less than measured recommendation. I would have wrecked my metabolism if I had gone by MFP number and in my case I shouldn't be eating that less with out a supervision from doctor. You could get a second opinion or may be increase the workouts but eating more than your expenditure is not going to result in weight loss. How much are you paying for the tests? I have unlimited Metablic tests, including VO,VCo2, RQ and bod pod BF% testing for around $300/year.
  • Leonidas_meets_Spartacus
    Leonidas_meets_Spartacus Posts: 6,198 Member
    How do they test your metabolism?
    Usually by wearing a mask, which measures the amount of oxygen and C02 you are breathing. In addition your HR is also monitored as you lie down on a chair relaxed.
  • ThreePartBreath
    ThreePartBreath Posts: 27
    xScat: Sorry, I didn't mean to bring up anything bad! I went through a period of a few months where I wasn't in a healthy relationship with food, but I wasn't tracking then and I know now (by tracking) that on a regular basis I was eating somewhere between 1300-1500 calories, even though I thought I was eating less...So going to 1200 doesn't seem all too desirable right now, haha. I like dessert..
    Thanks a lot, I really appreciate that you took the time to respond.. c:
    Here's hoping the naturopath or dietitians I'll be seeing soon will have some ideas on what to do!

    Leonidas_Meet: Ugh, how I wish I was on the opposite end! Haha.
    The test was done by plugging my nose and breathing into a tube, it took about twenty-five minutes. It cost about $160.00 and I got it back through insurance. However, I am still under my parents insurance and I don't know how much we get for these types of appointments. The place I got the test done is- as far as I know- the only place to get it done in my area. So those two things considered, I don't think I should get it done again.

    I'm going to start running outside soon as the snow is melting, and I've signed up for Rugby which will be starting in early April, so I'm hoping this increase of cardio and a change of routine will push my body to react positively.

    Thank-you for responding.

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