Here is the information from the book "Fight Fat After Forty"

(Note: Remember this is just a "ball park figure" and is not "set in stone" )

RESTING METABOLIC RATE
&
CALORIC NEEDS

1. What is your weight in pounds?

2. What is your weight in kilograms? (divide weight in lbs by 2.2)

3. What is your height in inches?

4. What is your height in centimeters? (multiply height in inches by 2.54)

5. What is your age?

6. Insert weight in kilograms, height in centimeters, & age into the following equation:

(10 x weight in kilograms) + (6.25 x height in centimeters) – (5 x age) – 161

7. The answer is your RMR (resting metabolic rate). (Your RMR is the # of calories your body needs just to breathe & function at rest.)
Example: A woman 41 years old, weights 180lbs & is 5ft 4 in.
(180 divided by 2.2 = 81.8 or 82) (5ft 4in = 64 in. times 2.54 = 162.56 or 163 centimeters)

(10 x 82) + (6.25 x 163) – (5 x 41) – 161 =
(820) + (1018.75) – (205) – 161 = 1472.75 or 1473 calories

To figure your caloric needs based on your activity level:

1. Figure out your activity level & use the appropriate # below as a multiplier.
(65% of Americans are in the “a” category)
a. if you are in the sedentary to light category, multiply your RMR by 1.4
(ie: desk job)
b. if you are in the moderate category, multiply your RMR by 1.6
(ie: light lifting & walking)
c. if you are in the strenuous category, multiply your RMR by 1.9
(ie: heavy lifting or using heavy machinery – raise a sweat every day)

RMR x activity level = calories needed to maintain current weight.
(Example from above: 1473 x 1.4 = 2062.2 or 2062 calories

2. To lose weight, subtract up to but not more than 500 calories from your maintenance calories calculated in step one. Do not go below 1200 calories per day or you will slow down you metabolism! Add physical activity to your routine to improve your fitness level. Physical activity builds muscle & muscle burns more calories.


Hopefully I will remember to keep it bumped up towards the top where it can easily be found.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BrenauMom,

quote:

Originally posted by Sheltieguy:
BTW, I see that Tanita has two new lines of (expensive) home scales that claim to measure everything but the user's mood. Included are some sort of calculated estimate of metabolism and caloric needs.

My vague recollection is that a direct measurement of metabolism requires a machine that the user breathes into.

A friend of mine's brother is testing Tanita Scales in a New Zealand study to figure out how they can track body measurements in school age children so they can get dietary help if they need.

They are doing a DEXA scan to get body fat percentages and then testing it against several of the body scales that are available. Tanita scales are the most accurate so far with a 96% success in getting the same results as the Dexa scan.

Thanks for the bump. I haven't figured this out in more than 2 years. Time to do it so I can Take Charge!!!

Have any of you compaired your results according to this formula with FitDay? I did and my fitday total is on the upper end between the "sitting desk job" and "light lifting/walking".

Thanks, I never opened this before but I'm glad I did. After figuring it out to lose weight I need 1589.85 calories, I have been staying around 1500-1600/day, if I exercised and moved into the moderate activity level of course it would be a higher number.
Jill

quote:

Originally posted by Sheltieguy:
My vague recollection is that a direct measurement of metabolism requires a machine that the user breathes into.

I remember having to get up way early and go to the doctor's office and then lay on a table in a darkened room until I "got sleepy" and then they strapped this gas mask like contraption over my mouth and nose and told me (a child around the age of 10) to "breath normally". I don't remember how long it lasted. I was in elementary school at the time (sometime during the 50's). Now they say they can check your metabolism with a blood test.

You breathe into the home model Dr. Peake used on the show.

BTW, I see that Tanita has two new lines of (expensive) home scales that claim to measure everything but the user's mood. Included are some sort of calculated estimate of metabolism and caloric needs.

My vague recollection is that a direct measurement of metabolism requires a machine that the user breathes into.

quote:

Originally posted by Cajetaguy:
It's too bad that nobody has invented a Home Metabolism Meter.

Actually, Dr. Peake used one during one episode. I think it was "Is There a Doctor in the House?" but I am not sure. That episode is running sometime this month. Check the schedule I posted. If it is not that one I will try to find which one it was.

It's too bad that nobody has invented a Home Metabolism Meter. It would be interesting to see, on a personalized basis, how different eating and exercise schemes effect metabolism.

bump

In addition, Blue Cross has an online Calorie Needs Calculator:

http://blueprint.bluecrossmn.com/topic/calneed

thanks, this is very helpful

bump