Measure your Metabolism in Minutes

There's a new portable handheld device called the BodyGem that uses advanced sensor technology to measure oxygen consumption (the universal fuel of metabolism). The technology in this device provides an accurate measurement of the number of calories a person burns while at rest each day. Certainly making it easier to figure how many calories to consume for weight loss. I recently met a representative from HealtheTech --the company that created BodyGem. We tested my metabolism by simply plugging in the BodyGem to an AC wall outlet. I sat quietly breathing into the device -- it's similar to breathing into a scuba diving mouthpiece. While breathing, the sensors measure my volume of air, oxygen content, temperature, barometric pressure and relative humidity. After 5 minutes I removed the BodyGem and I instantly had a numeral reading of my metabolism.

My first reaction was -- I'm eating a lot more than the number (1680) on the screen! Luckily I also have strength training on my side helping me build muscle and increase the number of calories I burn daily.

There is no right answer or better number for metabolism. All the number does is tell each of us what we have to work with. Ultimately, understanding our own unique metabolism allows doctors, trainers, dieters and individuals to create individualized programs based on our own unique physiology.

I'm curious to see how this new information will change the multi-million dollar weight loss industry's philosophy of packaging and selling their current 'one size fits all' methods for weight loss.

*Until this type of test is available in your gym, use the below formula to estimate your calorie requirements:

Your basal metabolic rate is approximately 1 calorie per kilogram per hour. Multiply your weight in kilograms by the 24 hours in a day. This is the number of calories you burn just being alive each day.

Now factor in activity: Multiply your calories needed per day (from above) by the following factors, depending on your activity level:

Light activity: multiply by 1.3
Moderate: multiply by 1.4
Heavy: multiply by 1.5

If you sit at a desk for your job, and exercise about 30 minutes most days, this would be light activity.

If your job involves more motion, you have a more intense exercise routine, and you are active in addition to your workout (you take stairs, walk to work, do a lot of housework, etc.), this would be moderate.

Heavy activity would be for construction workers, athletes, etc. Most Americans are in the "light activity" level.

Example: If you weigh 150 pounds. Divide by 2.2 to get 68 kilograms. 68 times 24 hours = 1632 calories needed per day for basic function.

Let's say your activity level is light:
1632 times 1.3 = 2122 calories needed to maintain your weight.

*HealtheTech (www.healthetech.com)

Stephanie Oakes is a fitness correspondent for Discovery Health Channel, a contributing editor for USA Weekend Magazine and the LA Times, and appears on NBC's 'Today in New York'. She can be reached at soakes@beststuff.com.