clevermanka | A little low

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health

A little low

Most dietary guidelines show that an average woman my age and height, leading a sedentary lifestyle, requires about 1,800 calories a day to maintain her current weight. This morning I had my metabolic rate tested to see what I actually require. Ready for this?

One thousand, two hundred and ninety six calories. 1,296. My resting metabolic rate is Five Hundred calories below a "normal" person's. No wonder I have so much trouble losing weight. Gods, that's just depressing. There is no way I can cut calories to aid weight loss without risking lowering my metabolism any more. It's all up to exercise.

I'm thinking about making an appointment with a dietitian or nutritionist or something similar. For the pep talk, if nothing else.

When Scott showed me the numbers this morning, I looked at him and said "Isn't that kind of low?" He paused and I could see the gears shifting how do I tell this woman she's got a hard row to hoe "Yeah," he nodded. "That's...a little low."

*sigh*

My body. I gotta love it because it's the only one I've got. But, damn. Sometimes it's not easy.

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Ugh. and not a damn thing will boost that either, huh?
More muscle mass? sure /snark.

I know, You need to learn to fidget.

and not a damn thing will boost that either, huh?

Permanently, I don't think so. But I'm not sure. That's something I might ask the nutritionist.

Fidget. I'll get right on that.

who did you have to kill to get a metabolic test?? I mean who do *I* have to kill to get one LOL??

I need this too=did you get it at the doctors office????

Actually, if you add muscle mass, your basal metabolic rate should climb. Muscle needs energy, fat just sits there. So, weight bearing exercise may very well be a good thing for you. Moderate weight, not super heavy, enough that during a set of 12-15 reps you are pretty fatigued at the end. Start w/ 2 sets of 12-15, and progress to 3 sets, with 1 minute rest between sets. If you want a cardio benefit, you can either do another exercise during your rest time, or get up and walk in place, etc. while you let your muscle group rest.

I'm more than happy to help with nutrition/workouty types of things if you ever need it. I don't work out much myself anymore, but I still remember almost everything I learned when I was a personal trainer. . . .

I know that. But I also know from past experience that I gain muscle mass very very slow (hence roya's "snark" comment above).

I was pretty seriously into weight lifting about 1995-1997 and although I was in great shape, I just never gained much muscle mass.

Now if you have suggestions on how I can fit a satisfying daily menu plan into under 1,300 calories a day, I'm all ears. =D

I got it done at KU. We have a physiology lab that does the test for $100. Maybe you could call around to local universities? I've also heard about a testing device that some gyms use called the "body gem."

thanks! its on my list!!!

this is GREAT info to have...I"m so sick of people saying "you just have to eat less"..hello! I was on 1200 a DAY food plan and only lost 4lbs!

must have my validation that is my body not my my will power that is failing me.

Yeah, if I eat less I'd starve myself. Literally. I mean, I knew I didn't have *much* I could cut out of my diet, but...nothing? ouch.

that is the SUCK! to put it mildly!

My sympathies, dear. My baby sister also has the same difficulty- her resting metabolic rate is 1,100 calories.

I'm sure this isn't as accurate as the test you took, but my diet center has a device called a Tanita machine. You stand on it like a scale, but it runs electrical impulses up through your body and can tell you your weight, body fat percentage, how much just your bones weigh, and what your resting metabolic rate is, among other things. Ah, technology!

Now is as good a time as any to start that meth addiction you've been thnking about.

but hahahahahaha to your icon. I read it and had an immediately guilty and startled reaction of "i know! but..."

LOL

I didn't know Tanita did metabolic testing now. They were one of the companies that led the pack of home-scale body fat measurements, though.

All I needed was a good reason!

Ugh. Fucking biology, gets you everywhere you turn.

Feeling more appeased about my boobs and backbend abilities now? =D

Once I'm done with the school stuff, I'll see if I can find my old calorie count stuff from way back when. i know I've got it somewhere. It used to be my strong suit at the gym. Ig I can find all my stuff, I'll give you an e-mail, ask some questions about foods, and see if I can whip up something.

You're an angel! Thanks!

It's a good thing I saved my Netzer's book of food counts from my carb-counting days.

Yeah, it's a pretty nifty little machine.

I know! It is so true, unfortunately.

My sympathies, I definately understand about what problems with that little thyroid gland can do to your metabolism. And it doesn't just go away, or improve much, with more thyroid. Exercise, sigh. Best of luck!

You could look at it this way:

You are one of those people I envy, because you are designed to be an athlete. Your body is primed for real exercise and growth from it. I have always struggled with a high metabolism that will not allow me to build strength without herculean effort.

because you are designed to be an athlete

What a pity my hedonistic nature has no interest in taking advantage of that. =D

That *is* an interesting spin, though. I wonder if that's why I was so strong (when I was lifting) without really showing much visible muscle mass...

I'm kind of a whiz at cooking things under 200 or 300 calories for many of the same reasons. I think my BMR is somewhere in the 1300s.

Baby, sign me up!

I know I could always go the Lean Cuisine route if I got desperate, but the thought of eating one of those a day makes me even more depressed than I was to begin with. =b

You're also designed to be a VERY efficient machine. Almost a hybrid!

It figures that I'd have to be efficient at everything I do, whether I want to be or not.

Thanks. I'm gonna need it, I fear!

Good news, though. My endocrinologist didn't retire. He just moved his practice to Topeka. So at least I don't have to find a new doc for that for a little while longer!

For me, liking fish helps. I've also tried basically every frozen health-dinner out there and can tell you they're mostly awful but I like the "Lean Gourmet" ones that run around $1.00 at Dillon's for some reason, especially the pasta based ones like Lasagna with meat sauce.

Canned (or fresh for those not on a TA salary) vegetables are great for me too -- you can eat a large amount without a lot of calories, and some ways of cooking them are downright decent -- I love stir-"fry"ing green beans with a fillet of tilapia, some lemon pepper and salt, for example.

But I know my eating habits aren't like everyone's.

Fish. Hm. I'll have to start looking into that. I like fish, but I'm not familiar with cooking it.

I know my eating habits aren't like everyone's

No, no, all that sounds pretty good. I haven't owned a wok in years. Perhaps I should look for one.

how do you get your metabolic rate tested?

Pooch has a few ways to cook fish you could ask him (and ignore my last queation about where, I'ver read thru the comments now)

Just for the Title!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0142001/

I got my nice (cheap) wok at the Oriental supermarket near 23rd and louisiana.

http://www.soe.ku.edu/hses/labs_clinics/applied_phys/contact.php

I am terrified to know what my BMR is. Absolutely terrified. I am sure they will say it's like, twenty-six calories or something.

How is this calculated in a clinical setting?

I should really find out what mine is, because I have to *starve* to get past a particular plateau, and I realize that is not healthy. Ugh.

I feel for you, I do. As soon as I'm insured again, I will be able to commiserate more effectively, because I'll get mine figured, too -- then, I'll have stats.

Way to face the music. Bad news is still more info than you had before. I'm 1500 with a 4-day a week gym regimin before I started training and building muscle. It is up a bit now 'cause I can eat 1600 per day now and still loose slowly so there is hope to raise it a little as you get in better shape. Sending you lots of luck. You are disciplined in so many ways - you just need a "Cooking Light Annual Recipies 2005 Cookbook." Homemade chipolte mac & cheese - 350 calories as one example of it's tasty goodness.

Insurance didn't cover my test. It was just $100 cash or check, paid at the Physiology Lab. See

adammaker's response to

starstraf in the comments to this entry. There's a link to the lab's website.

Thanks, hon! I'll add that to my amazon wishlist!!!

Oh god after reading this, I am now convinced that I have the exact same problem !
Now i gotta figure out a place in seattle where i can get tested so i can see !

Hello! Some gyms offer a testing system called "Body Gem". You might call around to see if any local gyms offer it. Good luck!

Thanks !

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A little low

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Or...

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Hedonists working hard?

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via zokah , made my way over here...

Re: via zokah , made my way over here...

Re: via zokah , made my way over here...