I had my metabolism tested today

honkytonks85
honkytonks85 Posts: 669 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Feeling a bit down about the outcome.

I had my metabolism tested and actually my RMR is higher than expected at 1915 calories. This is good. Unfortunately it appears that I tend to store a lot of fat.

I carry a lot of weight around my hips (almost all of it actually), my neck and waist is quite small. I am classic pear shape. It turns out my waist circumference is pretty much in the healthy range already and my fat is subcutaneous fat which means although my BMI is quite high I am not in the high risk for health issues related to my weight.

The downside is that apparently weight around your hips and thighs is really hard to lose and very stubborn. The doctor recommended that my goal weight would be around 83kg and doesn't think I could really get much lower than that. 83kg to me is pretty high and not my ideal weight. But apparently that's a healthy weight for me. I am feeling a bit down that I may never get to where I want to be and at 83kg I don't see myself being happy with my figure.

How do I come to terms with my body? Should I be aiming for lower despite my Doctors recommendation?
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Replies

  • Oishii
    Oishii Posts: 2,675 Member
    Does it not help at all to know you're actually the healthiest shape to be? I'm the opposite. My waist, at 70kg, is two sizes bigger than my hips. Even at 55kg it's one size bigger. I feel I need to lose weight to avoid the associated health problems even when my BMI is deemed healthy.

    As for when to stop, why not reach 83kg and see how you feel about it? I had in my mind that I was too old to go below 60kg ever again, but the weight came off easily once I tried and it was the last 3-5kg that made the biggest difference to my waist. At some point your hips and legs will be all there is for your body to work with, but you have to weigh that up with losing shapeliness elsewhere. At 55kg my breasts are below an A cup, so I went back up to 57kg. No goal has to be final.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    so you aim for 83Kg and then you see how you feel and then aim lower if you want

    you look at body recomp and start heavy weights and a programme of squats, lunges etc to get the best shape you can achieve with your body shape - it will still make you a helluva lot happier than you are at overweight

    I tended to carry more weight on my lower half too, although I'm more hourglass, whilst my waist / stomach came back first, my thighs and calves have also slimmed down with weight loss and gym programme .. in fact measuring last night I've dropped 2 inches on each thigh and 1.5 inch on my calves ..
  • DreamOfSunshine
    DreamOfSunshine Posts: 911 Member
    Me personally, I think I'll trust Doctors' recomended part. If you think about it, 83 kg is not that much and it really depends on what is it exactly :) What I mean is that if you focus on tonning up and most of it is muscles, you will look simply amazing! Ofc, that is only my opinion. Good luck! :)

    Now, if you don't mind me asking, how tall are you?
  • honkytonks85
    honkytonks85 Posts: 669 Member
    I'm about 163m. 83kg is still considered overweight according to BMI. The doctor said I should ignore that as it doesn't take into account body types.

  • DreamOfSunshine
    DreamOfSunshine Posts: 911 Member
    Well, it is true that the BMI range is quite generalised and I believe I read somewhere that it also might be a slightly bit outdated. If it worries you, you can always go for a second opinion, right? Just to have it double checked. But if I were you, I would try to do get in the best shape I can using this - 163cm, 83 kg, all firm muscles - still fantastic stats, I think :) And lowering the fat% even if you keep the same weight will reduce the size of your body overall :)

    I am 175cm, at the pic you see - around 90kg. Not in the healthy BMI range, considered overweight, but I don't see it as such a big issue even tho I am trying to get to 75kg eventually. Hopefully that helps :)
  • honkytonks85
    honkytonks85 Posts: 669 Member
    You look fantastic, not at all overweight.
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    Why don't you take the doctors recommendation and try for a body recomposition?
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,427 MFP Moderator
    edited November 2014
    honkytonks85 wrote: »
    I'm about 163m. 83kg is still considered overweight according to BMI. The doctor said I should ignore that as it doesn't take into account body types.

    So you are 5'4 and the doctor is suggesting 184? I would still go lower. Just set a moderate deficit, lift some weights and do some cardio. The best thing is, you can always adjust your goals as you go.

    BTW, knowing that your RMR is around 1915, that means you can eat some good amounts of food and still lose weight. Lucky you!
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  • cw106
    cw106 Posts: 952 Member
    curious as to what involved in how metabolism is quantified?
    with 60kg lost and 34 kg to go,i would listen seriously to docs advice.
    plenty of time later on to re- evaluate.
    good luck.
  • Yanicka1
    Yanicka1 Posts: 4,564 Member
    Lose one pound at a time and let your body do it's thing.
    Good luck sweety
  • DawnieB1977
    DawnieB1977 Posts: 4,248 Member
    I'd keep on losing and see how it goes. I'm 5'6 and an hourglass shape, and I got to 70kg after my 2nd baby. I'm currently around 88kg after my third and hoping to get back to 70 or lower. I store weight on my hips and thighs too, but I do lose it, it's just the last bit to go. I also tend to look lighter than I actually am.
  • RicaFit
    RicaFit Posts: 38 Member
    MrM27 wrote: »
    psulemon wrote: »
    honkytonks85 wrote: »
    I'm about 163m. 83kg is still considered overweight according to BMI. The doctor said I should ignore that as it doesn't take into account body types.

    So you are 5'4 and the doctor is suggesting 184? I would still go lower. Just set a moderate deficit, lift some weights and do some cardio. The best thing is, you can always adjust your goals as you go.

    --- I am 5'4. I have the pear shape. My doctors are recommending 128-140. My thighs and hips look good at 128, but I loose most the entire upper body. At 140, I still have thighs and hips and some upper body. At 180, I am still a size 12-14 in pants. I should be a size 6-8. I cannot imagine 5'4 being considered healthy for the waist at anything over 150. Not for looks, but for the medical dangers that come with being overweight.
  • PwrLftr82
    PwrLftr82 Posts: 945 Member
    Lift. Seriously. I was a pear, started lifting heavy, and now my shoulders are super broad and make my hips look almost narrow.

    I also agree that that's a high weight for your height, but just set mini goals and keep achieving them. You can do this.
  • notsofitRebecca
    notsofitRebecca Posts: 4 Member
    Who does one go to to get your BMR tested?
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  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,427 MFP Moderator
    notsofitRebecca wrote: »
    Who does one go to to get your BMR tested?

    There are medical institutes or even colleges that offer the services

  • goodasgoldilox165
    goodasgoldilox165 Posts: 333 Member
    There was plenty of good news in the message - it is wonderful to know that you are healthy!

    I would do as suggested above - aim for the weight target you have been given and then see.

    The Doctor may revise her/his opinion when you get close to target - people vary a great deal.

    I would imagine that the Doc is worried that you will aim too low - fail to reach your target and then start overeating again because it is all too hard. That is a well-run route! (It is healthier to be a little over ideal than to yo-yo between much too high and low!)
  • WalkingAlong
    WalkingAlong Posts: 4,926 Member
    honkytonks85 wrote: »
    I'm about 163m. 83kg is still considered overweight according to BMI. The doctor said I should ignore that as it doesn't take into account body types.
    That is well into 'obese' BMI. Unless your body type is cast iron, I'd get a new doctor.

  • Mediocrates55
    Mediocrates55 Posts: 326 Member
    Yeah, I'm 5'4 and not a small boned gal. My turning point to get off my bum because I was uncomfortably fat was 176 pounds. Approved goal weight sits around 130. I'd find another doctor, personally. The one you saw just gave you incredibly unreasonable advice.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    How is the metabolism tested anyway?
  • independant2406
    independant2406 Posts: 447 Member
    Consider yourself lucky! I'm 5ft 3.75in and when my physician tested my RMR it was very low (due to other health issues that slow my metabolism). I have to eat less than 1500 cals just to maintain. :(

    I think you should shoot for the target weight your Dr suggested and then re-*kitten* at that point where you want to go. If you feel like you can and want to go lower you can. But its probably best to just go for the goal he set initially. :)
  • independant2406
    independant2406 Posts: 447 Member
    rabbitjb wrote: »
    How is the metabolism tested anyway?

    Here's some info on it from the National Institute of Fitness and Sport
    http://www.nifs.org/fitness-center/fitness-assessments/resting-metabolic-rate
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    Work to get to 83. When you get there, reassess. Talk to the doctor about Step 2.

    There isn't a lot of point in worrying about 83 being too high until you get there. Cross that bridge when you get to it. :)
  • stumblinthrulife
    stumblinthrulife Posts: 2,558 Member
    psulemon wrote: »
    honkytonks85 wrote: »
    I'm about 163m. 83kg is still considered overweight according to BMI. The doctor said I should ignore that as it doesn't take into account body types.

    So you are 5'4 and the doctor is suggesting 184? I would still go lower. Just set a moderate deficit, lift some weights and do some cardio. The best thing is, you can always adjust your goals as you go.

    BTW, knowing that your RMR is around 1915, that means you can eat some good amounts of food and still lose weight. Lucky you!

    Yeah, that certainly seems high. I'm a 5'11 guy and I float in the 155-165 range. Unless you are carrying a lot of muscle mass, I think its pessimistic in the extreme to say you can't go lower than that.

    So long as you can do it in a safe, sustainable way there is nothing wrong with aiming lower. In fact, you probably should.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    independant2406 wrote: »
    rabbitjb wrote: »
    How is the metabolism tested anyway?

    Here's some info on it from the National Institute of Fitness and Sport
    http://www.nifs.org/fitness-center/fitness-assessments/resting-metabolic-rate

    So it measures breath?
  • WalkingAlong
    WalkingAlong Posts: 4,926 Member
    It estimates your RMR from the carbon dioxide in your exhalations. Google 'indirect calorimetry'.
  • mommyrunning
    mommyrunning Posts: 495 Member
    It seems the doctor was trying to be thorough and look at different factors which is better than just looking at numbers on a paper (BMI) alone. BMI isn't bad for a general gauge but it's not the only "right answer". You could use it as a starting point then ask the doctor what he thinks after you reach that goal. I wouldn't just disregard the doc's advice but as some have suggested maybe you could seek a second opinion if you aren't confident it's correct.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    edited November 2014
    WalkingAlong wrote: »
    honkytonks85 wrote: »
    I'm about 163m. 83kg is still considered overweight according to BMI. The doctor said I should ignore that as it doesn't take into account body types.
    That is well into 'obese' BMI. Unless your body type is cast iron, I'd get a new doctor.

    There's got to be more to it. Perhaps the doctor was trying to be reassuring and saying that due to other factors her weight is not unhealthy, given her waist and where the fat is. (To the OP: did you do a DEXA or something also, or is the doctor just going by body shape?) But if so I doubt he or she said she's unlikely to be able to lose more out of the blue; perhaps just that it's not necessary. I went to the doctor when I was 145 (about 5 lbs overweight, according to BMI), and my doctor went on about how I was a bit overweight but otherwise in great shape and it wasn't something she'd worry about. I said I planned to lose at least 20, and she said that was fine too.

    On the other hand, it makes me wonder whether there's some history with ED or some such.

    Anyway, barring any unrevealed issue or some unusually low body fat percentage which seems unlikely, I'd certainly not conclude that you can't lose to a weight less than 83 kg if you want to. I'm an apple (sigh), and so my stomach fat hangs on longest, but I'm committed to losing it.
  • honkytonks85
    honkytonks85 Posts: 669 Member
    The reasoning behind why he said 83kg is fine is because my waist is small. Currently I am obese but my waist is actually within a reasonably health range. He believes that the waist to height ratio and subcutaneous fat is more important for measuring health than the BMI is. Hence his recommendation for 83kg (for health) despite the fact that according to BMI is still obese for my height. He says I'd find it very hard to lose any more weight than that sustainably as I will always just store fat in my bottom half - but it is possible with a really low calorie diet. It won't stop me from trying anyway.

    Re; the metabolic assessment. The doctor is an endocrinologist who specialises in diabetes and weight management.. Basically I got a referral from my GP to go see him. They took some measures and did an ECG. Then I had a nose plug that stopped me from breathing through my nose and had to breathe through a tube. It measures oxygen in/out to determine your RMR.

    I am also getting a CT scan and some blood work done for a better assessment in a few weeks.

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