Bod Pod Experience

This is a stock photo, but looks the same; minus what appears to be steam

Where I work, there is a mobile 'bod pod' facility (that link will tell you what the bod pod actually does) that comes here once a quarter.  I have never actually participated in it, but since I recently joined our new gym here at work, and because one of my best friends here did it last quarter, he talked me in to it.

 

Honestly I was more hesitant about it, especially now given what I feel to be less than stellar body composition, due to the fact I was nervous what the dang thing was going to tell me.

 

Its very obvious to me the differences my body has gone through the past few years.  This age thing has its drawbacks that is for certain.

 

At one time I had looked in to these, but never could justify the expense (generally around $100).  Since its through work we get a heck of a discount, so there I was signed up.

 

I signed up for a super early test because for 2 hours before you cannot eat or drink.  I at least could have my coffee at home, and just have the 2 hours to wait before I could eat (normally at 7am).  My appointment slot was for 8:10am

 

I brought my unitard/onesie/tri-suit since you are asked to wear tight clothing that prevents air between the cloth and your skin.  They also but a swim cap like thing on your head and push all your hair up underneath.

 

If you read the information in the link above, great!  So after my time spent in the 'egg', I got dressed and the doctor went over my results.

 

Spoiler alert: It wasn't as bad as I thought, however, definitely room for improvement obviously.  With my age, current 'woman' hormones issues, in addition to being on a synthetic hormone for the past 10 years because of a severely underactive thyroid...well I was wondering specifically it would tell me in regards to metabolism (RMR) and my TDEE.

 

Since I deemed 2016 doing everything I could to be better, and methods of my own have clearly not been working, it was time for an expert.  Or two.  (the 2nd one is for another blog post)

 

One thing that I really liked is at no point during or after did the doctor ever tell me my weight.  And yes that's the first thing you do after changing your clothes.  And you can't see the number anywhere either.  This speaks to the fact that this is about health and not how much you weigh.

 

Sure if you can add then you can tell what you weigh after your get your documentation but even I had a bit of a time before I realized that.  And just as documentation and disclosure, I weighed a full 5 lbs more than I have been telling myself for a year now.  Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuut...

 

As I said above it was better news than I thought.  While I did indeed weigh 5 lbs more than I thought (and had last weighed in at on my home scale which no longer has a battery thank God..), my lean mass to fat mass was still in the moderately lean category (22%-30%)!  And because of my age and gender the %'s might be different for other age groups etc.  Just a factoid for reference should you ever do one of these.

 

But while I was in the moderately lean category for my age and gender I was on the higher end of that than I would like.  I had a conversation with the doctor about that and my reasonings for the dysmorphia I have (and always have had)...So he gave me a plan based on the numbers and together we came up with a goal for the next few months until my next bod pod.  As an additional FYI, again for me, age etc...the doctor did tell me that 22% is NOT exactly something I should aspire for; and that it would be extremely difficult and just not advised.  And why would I want to anyway right?

 

So my numbers as of Wednesday, January 20th

Age: 52

Height: 5'2

Weight: 132

BF%: 27.6

Lean Mass/Muscle%: 72.4

Fat Lbs: 36.4

Muscle Lbs: 95.5

RMR: 1185

TDEE: 2062

 

So the goal is singular before the next bod pod (in April sometime) is to reduce BF% by at least 1% (shooting for an even 26%).  I assume the weight will drop on its on as I don't expect to be gaining a ton of muscle in that short period of time.   Once I have a new set of numbers we will move on to the next goal.

 

I am thrilled to know that regardless of how I feel I may 'look', I am very healthy...which I knew, but my brain still struggles to distinguish between perception and reality.

 

I cannot recommend enough to have this done!  It is so important for overall health and for muscle to be protecting your insides, and not fat.

 

If anyone is reading...I will be posting a couple of blog posts on the change in nutrition and exercise to achieve goals.  Its only been 6 days but the change is already visible (even if only to me right now).  Incredible!!!