We hear it all the time, “I want to lose weight”. We live in such a superficial and misinformed society that weight loss goals are often the sole focus of diets and fitness programs. And all of them with a “quick fix” and no real substance behind the process. The problem is, while many people are indeed overweight, there is no understanding of what their actual body composition is, the potential health risks associated with it, and what it takes to incorporate long lasting, positive changes.
Body composition is what we’re made up of: bone, muscle, fat, tissue, and water. Your nutrition and workout program have a direct effect on your composition of muscle mass, body fat, and total body water. Turning your nutrition and workout focus to changing body composition, instead of solely body weight, will give you a much more accurate appraisal of your game plan and its efficacy.
There are several “gold standard” ways to estimate your body composition including hydrostatic weighing, air displacement plethysmography, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), DEXA (Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry), and BIA (Bioelectric Impedance Analysis) among others. While all of these methods are renowned for their accuracy, the most practical is the BIA test due to the other tests’ cost, time, and training.
Luckily for you, we have made the investment in an InBody device. This non-invasive, clinical grade BIA machine sends low level electrical currents through the body, measuring all of the composition metrics previously listed. The electrical current measures the “impedance” it encounters (bone, muscle, fat, tissue, water) as it travels between contact points (hands & feet). Its results produce an accurate reading of overall health, including muscle mass, body fat, and obesity risk. It then allows us as practitioners to set realistic goals, maximize training efforts, and make informed decisions on how to not just lose body fat, but get rid of it!
It’s important to re-test body composition every 6-8 weeks to ensure your nutrition and workout plan are on target. What’s the point in training really hard and being super diligent with your nutrition if it’s not working for you? None of us have the time, effort, or money to waste! The consistent testing allows us to make changes where we see necessary based mainly upon skeletal muscle mass and body fat changes. It’s time to stop training blindly and provide yourself with the information and knowledge to make long-lasting, positive health changes. If you haven’t had your test completed recently, there’s no time like the present!
Nick Miller