It’s not you...
IT’S YOUR METABOLISM

What Is “Resting Metabolic Rate”?

Resting Metabolic Rate is a measure of the number of calories your body needs just to stay alive. If you were to curl up on the couch all day with a good book, essentially “at rest”, there would still be metabolic activity being performed by your heart, lungs, brain and other body cells.

The most active cells in our body are those found in muscle. In a lean individual, skeletal muscle accounts for about 75% of resting metabolic rate. Muscle cells are the “energy hogs” of the body. Two people may weigh the same on the scale; however, the person with a higher portion of lean muscle will require more calories to maintain their weight.

To lose weight, at a rate of 1# per week, it requires an energy deficit of 3500 calories. To lose 2# per week, you must be 1000 calories per day below your calorie requirements.

Reducing caloric intake too far below resting metabolic rate causes the body to start to “conserve” calories. Starvation diets will result in a decrease in overall resting metabolic rate.

When to Consider a Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) Measurement

Diabetes/Pre-diabetes
Diabetes is a medical condition that may be avoided if weight control measures are implemented early. Individuals more than 20% overweight are not accurately assessed by predictive equations for caloric requirements.

Pre-Bariatric Surgury/Post Bariatric Surgery
Morbidly obese individuals often have caloric requirements far below what predictive equations would calculate. Pre and post RMR measurements are recommended so that individuals have a basis for their eating plan. Caloric requirements will change drastically as patients lose weight.

Cardiovascular Disease
Metabolic dysregulation occurs with weight gain and inactivity. Successful weight management is an integral part of therapy for cardiovascular disease.

Depression
Weight gain is a frequent side effect of a large number of psychotropic drugs.

Donna Marlor, RD, BSN, MA
Director of Weight Management Services

Ms. Marlor is certified as a specialist in Adult Weight Management by the American Dietetic Association. She is a Registered Dietitian, and completed an approved American Dietetic Association Internship Program at St.Paul-Ramsey Medical Center in 1981. She holds a B.S. in Foods & Nutrition, and B.S. in Nursing from Northern Michigan University, and a M.A. in Educational Psychology from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Ms. Marlor is a member of The American Dietetic Association, Sports and Cardiovascular Practice group and Weight Management Practice group.

Donna’s philosophy on nutrition: “Choosing to eat healthy foods fosters an improvement in overall health, body weight, and self-confidence. A change in diet can change your life. Start today.”

Ms. Marlor has over 15 years of work experience related to chronic disease prevention and treatment. She has been employed in a variety of settings, including private industry, hospitals, long-term care facilities, community mental health agencies, and a community college. She maintains a private practice in sports nutrition and is a freelance endurance sports nutrition writer for Silent Sports magazine and The Master Skier.

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