Metabolism testing? Activity level?

A

AndreaL

Cathlete
Two questions here:

1. Is there a way to test your metabolism that tells you how many calories you burn a day at rest? I know there are equations for figuring out your base, but wouldn't everyone's be different?

2. When looking at the charts to figure out one's activity level what exactly does low, medium, and high mean to the person making the chart? I am busy on my feet most of the day being a SAHM along with my workouts each day.

Andrea
 
Hi Andrea,

I've wondered about this as well. I have used the following basal metabolic rate equation but as you noted, everyone with the same weight/height/age would end up with the same BMR. I just use it as a guideline to calculate what my daily caloric intake should be.

BMR = 661 + (4.38 x weight in lbs) + (4.38 x height in inches) - (4.7 x your age)

Daily caloric intake =
BMR x 1.15 if sedentary
BMR x 1.3 light activity (daily tasks)
BMR x 1.4 moderate activity (exercise 3-4 times/week)
BMR x 1.6 very active (exercise 5-6 times/week)
BMR x 1.8 extremly active (exercise 7+ times per week)

If I want to lose weight, I make sure I consume less than my daily caloric intake based on the numbers above. It seems to work for me. I can't remember where/when I got this formula but I have it written on a piece of scratch paper that I keep in my desk.

This probably doesn't answer your question but maybe someone else will know if there is an actual test you can take to get a more accurate measurment.:D

JJ
 
JJ

Actually your post helped out a lot. When they give days of exercise for activity level, is that an hour per day?

Andrea
 
RE: bmr/activity

Sorry my notes do not reference what the activity level is based on in terms of hours per day so I did a BMR search on google and found a few sites you might want to visit.

www.bodypumpinc.com/metabolism.html
the calculator was: 661+(4.38xweight)+(4.33xheight)-(4.7xage) and they described activity level a little better

www.motionworksfitness.com

www.healthyontario.com

Another site that is fun to check out is
www.caloriesperhour.com
This also calculates bmi, bmr, calories burned etc... They provide a whole list of different activities and some are quite humerous.:D

HTH

JJ

edited b/c links didn't work x( ....trying again
 
RE: bmr/activity

That is a nice calculator. It said I should eat 3,980 calories! And I must be eating that since I maintain my weight. Whoa:eek:

The only thing that I know is wrong is that it said I am an apple. Anyone can look at me and tell that I am a pear. Measuring around my hipbones is no indication of how big my butt and thighs are.

Thanks Bobbi, I'll bookmark this one. I have been mainly concerned with what I should be eating when I am training for long runs. I lost 5 pounds while marathon training and felt like I needed it back.

Andrea
 
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