Having just returned from my semi-annual visit to my Milwaukee-based endocrine clinic, I was feeling a little sensitive about this. And not because of another brutal misguided stabbing session at the lab, either - it was about the smoothest blood draw yet. Talented woman, that phlebotomist. Scary looking, but talented.
No, I'm feeling sensitive because the doctor gave me a scolding about the extra 9 pounds I came with on this trip to see her. I pleaded my case of plantar fasciitis that sidelined me from running for 5 months. Being a runner herself, she cut me some slack, but was pretty serious about my dropping weight by the next time I see her (late October of this year). Yeah, yeah, I hear you, doc. I'll get back on the running track soon enough. At least all the blood readings were okay. A little high on the LDL, but.. manageable. Blood sugar, triglycerides, PSA, TSH, testosterone levels.. all good. :)
Still, every morning's look into the mirror has got me thinking... sure I know the Body Mass Index is just so much hot air, since it pays no attention to lean body mass, but I can't really scoff at it in my particular case unless I know what my muscle/fat balance actually is, right? I have never wanted to find that out, though, because you have to go underwater to do it accurately. Ick.
But just recently I became aware of a breakthrough in this area. A variety of fitness assessments are offered in the Laboratory of Physiological Hygiene and Exercise Science at U of M. The one I liked the looks of a lot is the BodPod, which gives you a body fat percent without having to be submerged in water (which, for a non-swimmer who lost consciousness in his college swim class final, is a pretty big deal!) It uses air displacement instead of water displacement.
I quote from the manufacturer's website: "The BOD POD Gold Standard Body Composition Tracking System is an Air Displacement Plethysmograph which uses whole-body densitometry to determine body composition (fat and fat-free mass) [...] based on the same gold standard operating principle as hydrostatic (or "underwater") weighing." Thank the Lord for improvements in technology.
So on a beautiful Spring-like afternoon today I head down to the U (and in the process get a sideways peek at the new ball field, TCF Bank Stadium. Nice looking, and easy to get to.
I checked in with the front desk, paid my $40 for the test, and headed down to the lab to see Sarah, the technician. She's a junior in a rec major, and has worked in the lab for quite some time, so was really knowledgable, and walked me through the drill. The machine itself looks kind of like a big egg with a door, and a seat inside.
I first heard about this from a news clip where a local reporter demonstrated its use. It seemed easy enough, so I made an appointment and then read the literature they emailed me. All looked fine until I read the requirement about having to wear "only" Speedos or skin-tight lycra shorts. Um.. wait. Only wear WHAT?
Well, I'll spare you the details on that part. Let's just say I improvised, with Sarah's kind permission. ;)
She takes height and weight and a few other measurements, sits me down in the egg, and shuts the door. Glad there was a window! Much whirring and popping ensues, and...the result? I'll get back to you momentarily on that...
My current BMI says I am "morbidly obese". Bah. Overweight, I'll grant you. But "Morbidly Obese"? Nuts to that! I mean, my endocrine specialist has given me a target weight which would produce a BMI of 30.4, or Obese. What self-respecting physician would do that?
Um.. one who sees me naked twice a year, that's who. She knows.
The charts say that obesity for men my age starts at 27% body fat. Overweight starts at 22%. Sarah said that the "risky" category begins at 30% body fat for men.
Women are fortunate when it comes to these measurements. Their corresponding percentages for obesity and overweight are 40 and 35, so they can carry much more fat than men, and be just fine. But then again.. they have better places to put it. mmhmm. :)
So, the result. Drum roll, please...
I was 4 pounds into the risky range. I'd have to lose 40 pounds of fat (basically where I was a year ago..) to reach my personal goal weight (which I picked as the high edge of the healthy weight range), and lose 20 pounds of fat to stay out of the obese range. Strength training will help keep the lean mass as is.
Both weight goals are within reach in about 6 months, especially if I am in temporary living quarters in some new city working some new job. Nutri-System and a gym membership should do it. Late October and target weight, here we come! :)
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