Discovering the Secrets of Your Body: My Journey Through VO₂ and Metabolic Assessment

This summer I went through something called a VO₂ and metabolic assessment and it was one of the most fascinating health experiences I’ve had. The testing came in two parts. In the first, I wore a mask and lay still while the machine measured how my body uses oxygen at rest. In the second, I got on a stationary bike and pedaled all the way to exhaustion while they tracked how my lungs, heart, and cells handled oxygen under stress.

The results were eye-opening. There were plenty of things I’m already doing right... my breathing, lung function, and metabolic rate all scored strong. But I also learned about areas where small changes could make a big difference, like how long it takes me to recover after exercise and how efficiently my body burns fat. The most fascinating part? The data showed that I burned the most fat at the end of my warm-up, which is why my consultant recommended adding a couple of 40-minute Zone 2 sessions (like power walking or an easy ride) into my weekly routine. Zone 2 training keeps your heart rate in a steady lower range... not all-out, but consistent and it teaches your body to use fat more effectively as fuel.

We also went deep into nutrition. Many of the suggestions were things I already do like prioritizing protein, eating plenty of plants, and including healthy fats. But there were also a few tweaks that stood out, like making sure to add fatty fish at least twice a week and using nuts or seeds more intentionally as snacks. Even simple lifestyle shifts like journaling before bed, taking magnesium in the evening to improve sleep quality can support recovery and overall longevity.

What made this experience even more unique is that while I took the test at my doctor’s office in Boca Raton, my consultant was actually in Greece! We had two virtual meetings (about 35 minutes each) to go through the reports... one for the resting test and one for the active test. She was absolutely lovely, and she explained everything in such a clear, encouraging way. And the best part is: this is something you can do from anywhere. There are testing centers around the world, and the reports can be read virtually.

I walked away feeling both reassured and inspired... grateful for the habits I’ve built, and excited about the tweaks I can make to keep aging well. Sometimes it’s not about overhauling your health… it’s about leaning into the little changes that create lasting energy, resilience, and longevity.