So Tuesday morning I had my resting metabolic rate (RMR) tested. This measures how many calories I burn daily, just to keep my body alive.
I had it tested previously, about 5 years ago at UT. I was 23 then, and weighed almost exactly the same as I do now (+/- 1-2 lbs). I was tested in May, and had run my first marathon earlier that February. I tested at a RMR of 1475 calories/day. They said to add about 300 calories/day for a normal desk job and normal daily activities, not including exercise. So, that had me at 1775 calories a day. That has been the number I've been using for the last 5 years.
When I got retested Tuesday morning, I was left in a state of shock and feeling like I can never eat again. I was tested at 1296, and this person said to only add 130 cal/day for normal activities, so I'm at 1426. That is 350 calories less than what I thought I was burning. I've been eating an average of 1600 calories a day since the new year (about 1400 on weekdays, more on weekends when workouts are longer) and have not really lost any weight. That is the reason I wanted to get rested in the first place.
I have been exercising on average 6-8 hours a week right now. Now, according to the new numbers, I have to eat 1200-1300 cal/day AND exercise to lose weight at the rate of 1 lb/week. My doctors still haven't figured out my heart issues, so that could be coming to play here too, but I'm just shocked that I dropped that much over 5 years when I would only consider myself more active now and I'm the same size. My body composition test will help give more info too - as in if I really have lost muscle so don't burn as many calories, but gees!
This morning I was finally down a tiny bit, .8 lbs. I have only eaten 1200 calories/day for the past 3 days, and worked out 1-1.5 hours each of those days. Also, it sadly took me 3 weeks to lose that .8 lbs. At this rate, I don't know if it is even worth it, but I also feel like now if I even eat like I was before (1600-1800 cal/day) I will end up gaining weight.
So essentially it seems like my metabolism is shot, which just isn't cool. I'm not sure why it is shot, and I doubt anyone can give me a definite answer. Could be whatever is going on with my body, could be that I've lost muscle mass, could be that I've dieted too much lately. I will at least know about the muscle mass soon enough - I'm getting DEXA done again next weekend in Austin.
As far as the challenge at work, I'm "back in the game" this week. Last week despite being less than I was the previous week at home, I mysteriously gained weight here at work. I don't trust the scale they are using here as far as I can throw it, but I guess I just have to remember it can be off for everyone.
I had it tested previously, about 5 years ago at UT. I was 23 then, and weighed almost exactly the same as I do now (+/- 1-2 lbs). I was tested in May, and had run my first marathon earlier that February. I tested at a RMR of 1475 calories/day. They said to add about 300 calories/day for a normal desk job and normal daily activities, not including exercise. So, that had me at 1775 calories a day. That has been the number I've been using for the last 5 years.
When I got retested Tuesday morning, I was left in a state of shock and feeling like I can never eat again. I was tested at 1296, and this person said to only add 130 cal/day for normal activities, so I'm at 1426. That is 350 calories less than what I thought I was burning. I've been eating an average of 1600 calories a day since the new year (about 1400 on weekdays, more on weekends when workouts are longer) and have not really lost any weight. That is the reason I wanted to get rested in the first place.
I have been exercising on average 6-8 hours a week right now. Now, according to the new numbers, I have to eat 1200-1300 cal/day AND exercise to lose weight at the rate of 1 lb/week. My doctors still haven't figured out my heart issues, so that could be coming to play here too, but I'm just shocked that I dropped that much over 5 years when I would only consider myself more active now and I'm the same size. My body composition test will help give more info too - as in if I really have lost muscle so don't burn as many calories, but gees!
This morning I was finally down a tiny bit, .8 lbs. I have only eaten 1200 calories/day for the past 3 days, and worked out 1-1.5 hours each of those days. Also, it sadly took me 3 weeks to lose that .8 lbs. At this rate, I don't know if it is even worth it, but I also feel like now if I even eat like I was before (1600-1800 cal/day) I will end up gaining weight.
So essentially it seems like my metabolism is shot, which just isn't cool. I'm not sure why it is shot, and I doubt anyone can give me a definite answer. Could be whatever is going on with my body, could be that I've lost muscle mass, could be that I've dieted too much lately. I will at least know about the muscle mass soon enough - I'm getting DEXA done again next weekend in Austin.
As far as the challenge at work, I'm "back in the game" this week. Last week despite being less than I was the previous week at home, I mysteriously gained weight here at work. I don't trust the scale they are using here as far as I can throw it, but I guess I just have to remember it can be off for everyone.
Comments
Best Wishes.
Bob L.
Keep us updated on the DEXA when you get it done.