10 Jul

Comment Contest

Do you remember in this post where I said that there was one more twist the the contest?

Well since both of the banner winners already had my books and Steve is phone shy(by the way we actually talked and he is a great guy), I thought I would offer you the reader a chance at a free book package and phone consult.

What is the catch?

Well a recent study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine showed that those who were kept accountable of what they did diet wise were more likely to succeed in fat loss. Basically saying, as we should know, that communication is key to staying on track.

So I need you to communicate with me!

Now this blog gets a LOT of views in a day but few of you are doing any talking, that is going to change.

I have picked a number between 1-50.

Whoever leaves that comment number will win the free book package!

There is a two comment limit. Meaning that in this post you can only comment two times. You can pick back to back or spread it out. The number has been told to a watchful party and they can in fact verify no favoritism or “fixing” of the contest ;)

Basically, I just want to get to know you better. Really I don’t bite ;)

I don’t care what you say, just give me a little something and I might be giving you something. I am going to leave this up until 50 is hit!

Good luck and get to yapping :)

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Filed Posted in CONTEST, inspiration by: Leigh Peele Comments 50 Comments

09 Jul

Are Bodygem and Gym RMR Readings Accurate? Part 2

 Last post I explained briefly what an RMR test does and how you take one. I want to now touch on if it is a waste of your money and time or more so what is the answer to the above question? Are gym RMR readings a waste of your time?

The answer is yes, they are.  The are chalk full of errors, cost too much, and you get more out of a online calculation then you ever will a gym RMR reading. Don’t waste your time, money, and if the trainer you are about to work with think that they are useful then move on from them as well because it just means they don’t get it.

Notice my use of the word GYM. This is critical to my discussion and my reason for making such a bold statement as the one that I made above.

If we look back at what a RMR measures, what is it? REST.

University and lab RMR readings  in general leave you looking somewhat like the picture below and for MANY hours.

At least they should but I will not get into the flaws of RMR readings in studies. I am going to talk about the flaws in a gym atmosphere.

The oxygen readings that these machines are based off the principal of indirect calorimetry.

It is called “indirect” because the caloric burn rate is calculated from a measurement of oxygen uptake. Indirect calorimetry relies on the fact that burning 1 calorie (Kilocalorie) requires 208.06 milliliters of oxygen. Less oxygen means less calories you burn, more oxygen means more calories burned.

Got it?

Using your own common sense, what in your day affects your breathing patterns? What do we know of that increases rate or decreases rate of breath?

Starting to piece it together aren’t you?

It can be very easy to throw off a 10 min reading of your RMR in that kind of situation.

  1. Did you eat before hand?
  2. How active were you?
  3. How still were you?
  4. Do you like things on your nose?
  5. Are you thinking about your breathing?
  6. Is there outside stimulation?

Basically you have to imagine while you are taking that test that you are completely at sleep and at east. I know it would take myself more than 5-10 mins to get to a point where I calm myself down and then the test would need some time to track variables.

If you hold your breath, if there is a leak, if they are stupid, all of it can change the results.

The truth is that these tests, while accurate in a lab setting, are just not implemented correctly in gym settings.

IF you are going to pay for a RMR test then please contact a local university for one. Most have the, they are cheaper and they are more accurate on average.

  • Make sure that they last at least 45 mins and you are in a dark room with a very air tight ventilation system. This is not a blow your drunk rating test. Puffing on a tube or wearing an oxygen mask isn’t going to cover it.
  • Make sure you have not eaten in the last 5 hours.
  • Make sure you do not drink any caffeine.
  • Make sure that while talking the test you try to relax as much as possible. For some of you it would never be correct unless you fall asleep. I am not judging, I can’t relax under a bubble.

Above all else, chances are if you are going to do something like this, you need more help then this test will give you anyway. You need the right education.

Come get it here.

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