[chaoskitty]

Ok yesterday was AWESOME! I had several tests done which was mostly Body Composition tests. The tests didn't turn out great at this moment in time, but they also were not too skewed from what I expected. Looking on the bright side, I am more lean body weight than I am body fat - whoopee. No, really, I'm okay with the results because they are only going to go down... And now I am most firmly in the 150s - I never in my life thought I'd get here... and can't wait to leave!

My first test was a caliper test and it showed that I was 30.5 percent bodyfat. The second test I completed was the newest body composition monitor - the Bod Pod. It wasn't really all that bad, even though I have claustrophobia. I just kept my eyes closed. The reading from that device was 38.7 percent body fat - ew. The last test was the hyrostatic testing which is considered the 'gold' standard of body composition testing. I've had that done once before and it was rather interesting to say the least. Well I didn't do much better this time - I just have a rough time being underwater with no air. This test result showed I was 40.94 percent.

My most interesting tests were with the personal trainer on a machine that was created by Polar called TriFIT. It does many testings but I only had a few done such as a Nutrition, Strength, Flexibility, Body Composition (not as intense as the other one) and my Body Age assessments.

The results say that my body age is 48 (eek) when I'm only 45. I have the possibility of eventually being age 36 if I make some healthy changes in my diet (do I really want to go back to my 30s? well, if I can keep all my experiences I learn during that decade!). Due to the gastric bypass, it's tough to get in all the foods I need to eat during the day - but you can bet I'm going to try. And I'm not sure how I can sneak more exercise into my day - I already do about 8+ hours a week .

All in all, it's worth the extra time spent on exercise and learning about nutrition in order to feel good and healthy. Otherwise I could be fatter, sick (like most of the folks here in the office ), and dreading another day of being weak and tired.

I'm winning, folks!

[maegdaeien]

You totally are winning! Go you!

[alwaysbelieve]

Excellent keep going for more success.

[chaoskitty]

Thanks so much! I think I'll have the tests done again in about 12 weeks. I hope there are a lot of changes!

Best, kitty

[NotTheCheat]

You are doing great!

If I may ask, where did you get these tests done and did you have to pay for them? If so, how much did they cost? I think it would be very cool to do, but I have no idea where you would go to do something like that. I also doubt my insurance would pay for it.

[chaoskitty]

Hi Nancy,

I contacted OSU's rec center and told them I wanted a body composition test done. One of the directors there put me in touch with the physicology department. Grad students are constantly doing research in this area and since you'll be their 'guinea pig' the shouldn't charge you too much (I paid $20 to have the caliper test, the hydrostatic test, and the new bod pod tests done).

I'm sure if you contact your largest local state run university's rec center, if they can't help you, I'm sure they can put you in contact with someone that can. You'd be surprised at how helpful these types of people will be - they will bend over backwards to help you succeed.

You may also have some luck contacting a local gym as well - but I'm sure you'd pay some big money to have these tests done privately.

I'm going to have the test run again in about 10 lbs. I hope my lean muscle mass (weight) increases and my body fat decreases. This is how your metabolism increases because muscles need more calories to run than does fat. In about 12 weeks I guess I'll find out if all my hard work was worth it.

I'd be interested in what you decide to do - if you are serious about losing your weight (which I think you are) you'll find that the results of your test will only help you as you continue losing. I honestly think that losing weight is a science and you almost have to be a researcher to get it right and do it in a healthy way.

BTW, you are doing GREAT in your weight lost goals!

[NotTheCheat]

Thanks for the info. I go to a really small gym and they had no idea. I suppose I could ask at one of the others, but I don't know how much they would want to help if I'm not a member (although they would probably be happy to charge me a lot, you're right) I bought one of those handheld electric BF analyzers for now, but I think it would be really cool to get the whole thing done later on.

[chaoskitty]

Nancy - I had another thought... when I joined Jenny Craig in January, I also bought their tanita body fat % scale. Needless to say I was quite surprised to find the percentage I got on the scale very close to what I got from the hydrostatic test, which scientist still consider the ultimate gold standard for finding out body fat percentage. I think I only paid $70 for the scale but I think the prices go as high as $130 for more options on other scales. It may be something to think about. Something interesting to note about these scales, is that if you weigh yourself right after you work out, you'll find the BF % just a tad bit lower - and I think that's because of either 1) sweaty feet (ew) LOL which allows for a better eletrical connection to the metal plates on the scale or 2) you need some water in your system because you sweated it out during the exercise. Either way, I just find it interesting to record the numbers.

[lilybelle]

Great job on the test. I would like to have them done and will be checking with the Univ. of Arkansas, the closest one to my home. Thanks for sharing your info.