Measuring Our Body's Metabolism
In the weight loss world there are many programs that promise to
help just about anyone lose weight and keep it off. Everyday we are bombarded
with advertisements for the latest exercise machine or miracle fat burning pill.
The marketing for all these products is intense because our consumer oriented
culture will stop at nothing to gain that body we've always wanted.
When you stop and think about it all these programs, machines and pills we are
being tempted to buy all are working off the same principle. This principle,
increasing your body's metabolism to lose weight, is the backbone of the weight
loss industry. What most people who buy into the fat loss marketing craze don't
realize that it doesn't take special equipment or handfuls of pills to increase
their metabolism. In fact with some simple lifestyle changes they can accomplish
this all on their own.
Since metabolism isn't something tangible we can see most people have a hard
time with this concept. The only real proof that most people will have when it
comes to a metabolism increase is the weight actually starting to come off. But
there are ways to not only measure our metabolism but to see over time if our
efforts are having the desired affect.
So just how can we measure our metabolism? There are two ways to do this. The
first method is called direct calorimetry. This test measure the amount of
energy the body is expending by measuring heat. The other method is called
Indirect Calorimetry and it measures the amount of oxygen a person uses over a
set period of time. This test is traditionally done in hospitals and exercise
research facilities because the equipment needed is expensive and requires
trained technicians to use.
The goal with both tests is to calculate the resting metabolic rate (RMR) of the
individual undergoing the procedure. There are some things that must be avoided
before taking one of these tests as they may skew the results; avoid eating 1 to
1 ½ hours before the test, do not exercise before hand and avoid the use of any
stimulants like caffeine on the day the test is to take place.
The test itself is rather simple. You will be in a relaxed seated position just
like sitting on the couch at home. A mask or mouthpiece will be placed over your
mouth and you will breathe in a normal fashion for ten to fifteen minutes. A
machine will record all the necessary information and then print out a report
detailing your RMR.
After this initial test to gain a base metabolic rate the idea is to make
lifestyle changes to try and increase your metabolism. This is usually done with
a combination of diet and exercise. After a specified amount of time the test
will be repeated to see if indeed the changes you have made have increased your
metabolism. Any increase in resting metabolic rate should result in a decrease
in body fat and weight loss.
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