Metabolic rate

[Surviver]

Hi I have a slower metabolic rate then most people my age and size. How do I set my metabolic rate so it fits me. Is there a way to change the basic metabolic rate?  If not is there another tracker that might? I have a charge 3.  Thanks.

[JohnnyRow]

You cannot set that on any Fitbits.

Just curious, have you had your BMR (basal metabolic rate) measured, and if so, how much does it differ from what Fitbit uses?

[Surviver]

Hi I have not been measured. My nutritionist thinks I am about 50% below average but my parents disagree and think 75%. How do you get tested? Thanks for trying to help. Does this information help at all?


Sent from my iPod

[checking]

Yes, you can change your calculated BMR by lying about your weight. If you believe your metabolism to be slow, use a weight proportionately less than your actual weight.

[Dominique]

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@Surviver wrote:
My nutritionist thinks I am about 50% below average

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Although there is some individual variation in basal/resting metabolic rate, I doubt very much you would be so far away from the average.

RMR is usually determined via oxygen consumption, for instance using a device such as the one mentioned here (+ link to manufacturer). Maybe a fitness center or personal trainer near you has something like that?

[Surviver]

If I know my weight is 96.4 and my metabolic rate is 75 percent roughly then how much would I say that I weigh

[checking]

96.4 x 0.75 = 72.3. However, without measurement it is only a wild guess, and I expect not suppressed as much as you think.

[JohnnyRow]

And if you change your weight, that will affect other things too, calorie burn for sure at least.

[Dominique]

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@checking wrote:

96.4 x 0.75 = 72.3. 

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No, it’s not directly proportional like that. @Surviver would need to enter his own personal data in a calculator such as this one, see what number he gets for BMR and then tweak the numbers (age, height, weight) until he gets a BMR that’s 75% of his own calculated BMR. However, I agree with @JohnnyRow this will affect a lot of things in Fitbit, so wouldn’t recommend doing this. Better keep the real number, but make the mental adjustment (-25%) to the calories burned reported by Fitbit.

[JohnnyRow]

But it wouldn't even just be 25% of all calories, would it, because that 25% reduction might not apply to any calories burned above the BMR.  Perhaps it would be just subtract 25% of the BMR calories from daily total.

Though I also would not put much trust in someone saying my BMR was 25-50% below normal without a lot to back it up.

[Dominique]

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@JohnnyRow wrote:

But it wouldn't even just be 25% of all calories, would it, because that 25% reduction might not apply to any calories burned above the BMR.

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Why? Your BMR also affects the rate at which you burn calories through activity: a lower BMR ("slow" metabolism) means you would also burn less calories than someone of the same age and size, but with "normal" metabolism. I agree, however, that the whole idea of using false personal data in order to achieve the "correct" underlying BMR is very problematic. And I’d rather have metabolism actually being determined rather than being set by my nutritionist just looking at me.