HOW TO WORK OUT YOUR METABOLIC RATE

GETTING an accurate assessment of your metabolism usually involves expensive and time-consuming laboratory tests. But there is a formula for calculating your approximate basal metabolic rate — or the amount of energy in calories that you burn just to stay alive (not counting the calories burned through exercise). it varies by sex, as men tend to have more muscle mass than women and lean muscle burns more calories.

MEN:

■ Multiply your weight in kilos by ten

■ Multiply your height in centimetres by 6.25

■ Add the two numbers together

■ Now multiply your age by five and subtract that from the total

■ Finally, add five

EXAMPLE: A 40-year old man who weighs 12 st (76kg) and is 6 ft (182cm) tall would have a basal metabolic rate of 1,702.

The average for a man is around 1,700.

WOMEN:

■ Multiply your weight in kilos by ten

■ Multiply your height in centimetres by 6.25

■ Add the two numbers together

■ Now multiply your age by five and subtract that from the total

■ Finally, subtract 161

EXAMPLE: A 40-year-old woman who weighs 10st (63kg) and is 5ft 5in (167cm) tall would have a basal metabolic rate of 1,313.

The average for a woman is around 1,400.