Fitness Test Completed!

Feb 01, 2009

Big grins going on here.  I had to share this because one, I am so damn happy about it and two, I think it might help others struggling with some of the same issues I have been.

I want to start by saying I am not sharing this to brag (well maybe just a little because I am very proud of myself) or to make ANYONE feel bad.  I am so happy and had to share because you people get me!  LOL

As anyone who reads my post or talks to me on a regular bases will know I have reached a point in my weight loss journey where I was confused about weight vs clothing size.  I was having huge body issues based on what is in the mirror, what is on my body, what the scale was saying and what those damn BMI charts suggested.  Let me explain a little.  The BMI chart stated that for my height my weight should be in the 118lbs to the 153lb range.  WTH, that is a huge range.  So I thought a goal weight of somewhere in the middle would probably be  a great place to start.  "I" set my goal weight at 130 to 135.  I also decided based on looking at others that are about the same height as me that I would like to be in a size 4 jeans.  Again this is all something I have set for myself.  My doctors just tell me that they want me to be healthy and not focus on a weight.  LOL Like that will ever happen.
Here lately I hit a plateau which usually means you are getting close to the end of your EASY weight loss goals.  I am only 8 months out and thought this was way too soon for that to be happening but it was.  So during the 30 day challenge I did everything under the sun to get the scale to move.  I upped calories, I lowered calories, I upped workouts, I skipped workouts.  I upped protein, I drank more water.  I was trying everything and the scale wasn't budging and the clothes weren't getting looser.  I so bad wanted to get to my goal this severely depressed me.  It was recommended to me that I should have a body fat test done.  Money being an issue meaning I don't have any extra right now, I didn't see how I was going to get it done. 
So now for the good news.  I went to the gym on Friday and went t the fitness desk.  I spoke to the guy there which just so happens to be head of the fitness department and asked about the tests.  They are done there at the gym and are totally complementary.  So I asked to schedule one and he said he had time so we did it.  He measured my body fat, my strength, my flexibility, my VO2 max (cardio fit), weight.  He was able to do a fitness analysis and discussed goals with me.  It was a very enlightening experience.  He informed my that right now I am at 28.3% body fat, my BM is 26.8, My fitness age is 38 (I will be 37 in June)and that if I keep my muscle mass I have right now I need to weigh 147 in order to have 17% body fat.  So in non fitness expert terms what this means is, I am still in the overweight category according to BMI but not by much.  I am not overweight in my body fat %.  I am average.  19% body fat in a female is considered excellent.  We did a scenario to get me to 17% body fat which would be at 147lbs.  I being the optimist I am decided that based on all this information my new goal weight will be 145 which means I am only 24lbs (of fat) away.  ( I currently weigh 168 to 170 depending on time of day, only 48lbs of that is fat) WooHoo!  I finally have an educated goal weight that is attainable.
Now as I work out and build muscle which I am working on as well then the numbers will change slightly.  All that would mean is if I lose down to 145 and continue building muscle then my fat % will be lower than 17% which is better than excellent health!  12% is what most extreme FEMALE athletes are at.  As for sizes, I am currently in an 8 (which is finally starting to get loose) and can wear some 6's(wore a pair of 6 jeans to the stock show yesterday).  I still think a 4 is doable so that goal hasn't changed.  So I think the reason I am heavier than others but in a smaller size is do to the fact that I am mostly muscle!!  I love saying that!  I am mostly muscle!!!!!  LOL
I had to share my good news.  This puts me in such a positive place now.  I have much more finite goals to work towards which is what this OCD person needed.  I am almost there folks and I am only 8 months out!!!!  That is why I am so proud of myself.  I also wanted to share so if there were others out there struggling with these same issues I would strongly suggest getting a fitness test done.  It really helps put it all into perspective.  I want to say a special thank you to Tawnya for suggesting the fitness test.  I am so happy I have such a knowledgeable good friend to pull resources from!  Now I need to pick her brain on how to burn up this fat and keep the muscle!

0 Comments