V02 Max, RMR and Fuel Mixture---Really confused about my results!!

Today, I had my RMR done with the V02 Max (New Leaf equipment). I've lost about 40 lbs but have been at a standstill after switching to a higher calorie diet. Anyway, my RMR is 1482 calories. My trainer also said that my "Fuel Mixture" was 91% Carbs and 9% Fat. What exactly does this mean? Does it mean that my body burns carbs more efficiently? If so, should I lower my amount of carbs or lower my fat intake (I've been trying to eat 40 carbs/40 protein/20 fats)? This is SO confusing...I added in more protein (which comes with fat sometimes) and now I hear that I shouldn't be doing this....after 3 weeks of doing it!! Thanks for any feedback!

___________________________________ Starting Weight: 303 lbs (April 1, 2008)
Current Weight: 261 lbs
Goal Weight: 160 lbs

1st Goal: 20 lbs (met May 9th); 18.5 inches lost!!!
2nd Goal: 40 lbs (met July 8th)!!
3rd Goal: 60 lbs (goal Sept 1st)
4th Goal: 75 lbs (goal October 25th--30th B-day!)

Cardio Goal: 5-6 hrs of cardio/week

Becoming the "Me" that I want (and need) to BE!

New,

Your Fuel Mixture is exactly what it sounds like.  It is your diet, which is 91% carbs, 9% fat.  I'm not sure what your trainer wants/thinks, but I would definitley lower your carbohydrates and up your protein.  As a rule of thumb, the best percentages are 55-60% Carbs (coming mostly from complex carbs, ie wheat, rice), less than 10% fat (mostly mono/poly unsaturated, cutting out all trans fatty acids and limiting saturated) and up to 30% protein.  But I am curious, why are you eating so many carbs?  Is this something your trainer told you?  I would say your 40/20/40 split is good.  I would maybe lower fat (because of more calories) and up your protein (especially if you are using a weight training regimen). 

I am a trainer as well, just got re-certified.  Feel free to message me with any questions, glad to help.

I had those tests done with the New Leaf equipment too. You don't need to necessarily cut down on your fat intake but upping your protein is definitely a good idea. Right now, if you have a carb & of 91%, it means that when you burn calories, they're mostly from carbs but in order to lose weight/body fat, you want to burn fat instead. The ideal percentage of fat utilization is 80% or greater. I tested at 71% carbs/29% fat. You should ask the people who did your test to recommend some exercises that will put you in the "fat burning zone" ie: 65% of your max heart rate. These will burn less calories than high impact cardio but they're more efficient for burning body fat. Also, find a good weight training routine and switch it up every 6-8 weeks. Building muscle increases metabolism.

Thanks! That clears things up immensely!  I've been doing all of this high impact cardio. But, I guess I've been over my fat burning zone......these things are so much more complicated!!

I've been finding it WAY easier since I bought a heart rate monitor. It takes all the guess work out of it.

I have a Polar F11...But, for most of my workouts...I'm over the range....For instance, my aerobic classes get my heart rate going pretty high....It's hard to stay in my range...But, this week's workout it going to be about figuring out the optimal fat-burning zone!!! :-)

new_beginnings -- I don't pay attention to the "fat burning zone" if you want to burn calories workout hard. Its kind of a 50/50 thing -- sure you can burn more % of "fat" at a slower heart rate however if you are burning more calories you will still burn fat-

 

check out this link for more detailed explanations of this "theory"

http://caloriecount.about.com/forums/post/287 56.html

I too have a Polar F11 and rarely stay in the program "zones"   I just do what I can if I'm doing a cardio class I work hard if I'm doing just weights I'm rarely ever in any zone since my heart rate has to be 88 to register and time at all in a "zone" When I first started working out it was easy to get into the fat burning zone, but now that my resting heart rate is low and I'm in better cardio shape it gets harder and harder to get my heart rate into any respectable zone and keep it there for any time.  I really got to be working hard.

Mmm, I've never heard of this "Fuel Mixture" before, I'm really interested to know how it works. Both fat and carbs are converted to water and carbon dioxide. Maybe by looking at the ratio of carbon dioxide expelled to oxygen consumed? I think fat would need more oxygen to produce a given amount of carbon dioxide. But it completely ignores protein energy usage, unless you give a urine test, maybe, since most nitrogen is consumed from protein and excreted in urea. But 90% carbs? That seems really high at rest, as I would think it would correspond to your diet, at least approximatly, in a maintence phase