Oh and just in case anyone wants to know how to monitor your metabolism. Add up all the calories you have eaten for a period of time (the longer the better) and take the pounds you have lost and multiply that by 3500 (cal/lb) Add that # to the calories you have consumed (or subtract if you have gained weight) then divide that by the # of days you are keeping track. This will tell you how many calories you burn in a day.
(Calories consumed + Calories lost)/days = metabolism
So, if in a two week period I ate 31500 calories (2250 cals/day) and I lost 3 lbs, I would add 10500 (3lbsX3500) to 31500 = 42000 cals then divide 42000 by 14 days = 3000 cals. That would be my metabolism. I could eat 3000 cals/day and not gain or lose weight.
(31500 + 10500) / 14 = 3000
Of course its not a perfect science. Everybody's bodies treat fats/proteins/carbs a bit differently. there is a lot of controversy over that. Also I question how they came up with the idea that 1 lb = 3500 cals but I do know this; it seems to work for me, and seems pretty accurate. It shows that my metabolism is relatively low for a guy which Ive always expected. I burn (on my diet) about 2000-2500cals/day, more if I'm working out.
In a exercise physiology lab I had many years ago, they put a mask over my head and measured how much oxygen I consumed and CO2 I breathed off and calculated my daily caloric expenditure and it was some crazy # like 4000 cals/day. what a crock!, and that was with sophisticated computer equipment. This basic formula is much more accurate and doesn't require any money, just a very close eye on your calories...which I do anyway. I would really love to here if anybody tries this, let me know what your results are if you do or ask if you need help.
