RMR TESTING FOR WEIGHT LOSS: LEARN ABOUT YOUR METABOLISM
If you’re curious about losing weight or getting into shape, you may be wondering how your metabolism comes into play. The idea that a slow metabolism causes weight gain is a myth. Metabolism can help decide how much energy your body needs, while your weight will depend on calories and physical activity. Read on to discover how your metabolism works, and how you can use RMR testing to achieve your weight loss goals.
What Is Metabolism? How Does It Work?
Metabolism is the process by which the body converts food and drink into energy. During this process, calories in food and drinks mix with oxygen to make the energy the body needs. Even at rest, energy is needed for all basic bodily functions, such as breathing, brain function, and growing and repairing cells. The number of calories a body at rest uses to do these things is known as basal metabolic rate. Your basal metabolic rate will depend on muscle mass, body size and composition, sex, age, calories and physical activity.
What Is RMR Testing?
Your resting metabolic rate (RMR) is the amount of energy (calories) your body burns while at rest. Your RMR accounts for about 70 percent of all energy you expend. The best way to learn about your metabolism is through an RMR test. RMR testing is a simple, non-invasive procedure that determines your RMR.
Understanding your metabolic health and RMR is crucial to your success on any nutrition or training plan. It represents the amount of calories you need to maintain essential functions at rest, which is important to know if you’re trying to lose weight or build lean mass. Your RMR will help you determine the best way to fuel your body to achieve your goals and overcome plateaus.
The DEXA RMR test is medical-grade and significantly more accurate than all formula-based RMR/BMR estimates. Additionally, combining RMR testing with a DEXA scan allows you to track body composition changes and better understand how your nutrition and metabolism affect your body fat, lean mass, and bone density.
The metabolic rate is a dynamic number, and will change throughout your health and fitness journey. RMR testing can be done more than once and should be taken at least every three to six months if you experience significant weight loss.
How to Prepare for the RMR Test:
Avoid exercising for 12 hours prior, as well as food, tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine for at least 5 hours prior. Continue taking any prescription medications as recommended by your doctor. Come to the test in comfortable clothing. The test takes about 15 minutes to complete. All you do is relax in a chair while breathing into a mask. Afterward, the practitioner will analyze your data, review it with you, and answer any questions.
Take control of your health and schedule your RMR test and DEXA scan today.
