Metabolic Testing

Hey there!  Well I got my computer fixed... Tech support was no help but I did find a BIOS file to download and that fixed the problem.  I am so glad, I cannot stand using the computer without the mouse!  And now my camera should work as well. 

Today I had metabolic testing done.  First they did bio-electrical impedance to determine my body fat % - but the machine said I was too dehydrated to give an accurate reading.  I don't understand how I could be dehydrated when I drink 16-24 cups of water a day (plus tea!.  A different BMI calculator (weight in kilograms divided by height in sq meters) said I am 25.8 which places me in the "over weight" category by .8 - I know that its only about 5 or 6 lbs difference (based on past experiences)

Next they hooked me up to a machine to determine my basal metabolic rate - it is 1672 calories.  So, supposedly when I eat anything less than that I am starving myself.... So they want me to eat 1730 calories a day and it is supposed to help me lose 1 lb per week.  If that works (I kinda doubt it) then I would be at my goal weight by 23 March 2011. 

According to MyPyramid I should be eating this each day - 5 ounces of grains, 2 cup veggies, 1 1/2 cups fruits, 3 cups milk, 5 ounces of meat.  I can tell you right now that I don't currently eat that.  I don't drink any milk... my calcium comes from the rare cup of soy milk and from the dark green veggies I eat (TONS of broccoli!)   They gave me a suggested meal plan with exchanges in case there is anything on the plan I don't want to eat, so I think I will try it out after I get back from Christmas.  Until then I am just going to aim to hit the calorie target they gave me - it shouldn't be too hard because I have been getting pretty good at eating 1500-1600 calories a day - now I can eat a bit more!!  Also I am going to concentrate on trying to increase my physical activity - elliptical machine and riding the bike during PT - doing some weight lifting - walking when I go away form Christmas. I already eat pretty healthy so exercise should be the key.

Sadly, other than the above info I don't have much to tell you.  I had to wake up at 330 am to eat breakfast because I had to not eat for 4 hours before the test (at 8am) so I was VERY tired today.  So, when I got home from work I took an hour and a half nap!!  It was hard to get myself up but I knew I needed to.  So I had dinner - sweet potato fries, lentils and Swiss chard mixed with couscous (I know that's probably weird) and broccoli. 

I am about to head off to yoga so I have to go.  Hope to talk to you tomorrow!