Not the most flattering photo I have ever posted. I was quite disappointed as to how chunky I look. But the results of my Dexa scan suggest an alternative body composition.

I made the decision to have a Dexa scan a couple of weeks ago. Having spent the last six months focusing on reducing my body fat percentage I was disappointed to find that the on-line calculators that I have been monitoring my fat loss with apply an algorithm of what is expected of any particular age group. My body fat percentage dropped to 25% from 31% when I changed my age from 60 to 25. Given that I have spent the last six years training so I don’t have an average body composition of a 60 year old woman I wanted to know how I faired in the absence of an algorithm. A Dexa scan was the only way I was going to do this.

Dexa is the acronym for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. It is most commonly used in the NHS to determine bone mineral density. Whilst this wasn’t my primary reason for having the scan done it was going to be of interest. I take warfarin as I have a mechanical heart valve. A side effect of warfarin can be reduced bone density. But I was confident that the weight training I had been doing for the last six years would have protected my bones. But it would be good to be reassured.

I found a centre near where I work which had excellent reviews. So last Wednesday lunchtime I found myself at Bodyscan UK. It did strike me as I walked there that the last time I used my lunchtime for a medical examination I returned to my office with the knowledge that I had a serious heart condition. But I was confident that no tears would be shed on this occasion.

As I was paying for the scan I was seen immediately after completing the consent form. One statement on the form was that I would accept any advice given. Well I would see about that.

The scan and the explanation of the results was provided by a delightful young man that obviously spent a lot of time in the gym. He asked why I was having the scan, what I wanted to get out of it and then explained the process.

The scan was painless. You have to stay completely still for four minutes while the table and the scanning arm do their thing. Why is it that the last thing you want to do when asked to keep still is to keep still? But I managed it.

And so to the the results.

There are a lot of numbers but you get a booklet with an explanation on what everything means. And the operator spends a good half hour going over the findings.

They are broken down into three sections. Fat, muscle and bone. And in a lot of detail. Not only do I now know how much fat and muscle I have in total but also in each of my limbs and my trunk. I now know that I have more muscle in my right arm. Not surprising as I’m right handed. But my my left leg has more muscle than my right which accounts for my lopsided back squat.

My body fat percentage is 30.4. Approximately 1% lower than the calculator I have been using so not too far out.

Probably the most important fat measurement is the visceral adipose tissue (VAT). The fat that surrounds the internal organs. This should be less than 100cm2. Mine is 44.7cm2.

We then moved onto my muscle mass results. The operator asked me what I thought was the strongest part of my body. I stated my legs as I can do an impressive deadlift. Well at least for a woman of my age. But it was actually my arms that had the higher level of muscle mass. I was surprised at this as my shoulder press and bench press are pretty poor. For a woman of 50+ I was in the 80th percentile for my legs and in the 90th percentile for my arms. However where my trunk muscles were concerned I dropped to the 60th percentile. This does explain why I’m weak on some lifts that require core strength.

Finally, my bone mineral density (BMD). For men and women over 50 a T score is used with anything over -1 being considered normal. Mine was 1.2. Apparently body builders often have scores over 1.5 so I was certainly happy with mine.

So what was the advice that I may have chosen to ignore? It was to stop cutting body fat and to focus on building muscle. A decision I had already made. But now I know that the focus has to be on strengthening my core muscles. He even worked out the calories I would need to increase to to bring about the changes.

All in all it was money well spent. It largely confirmed what I already knew, or suspected but also identified what I need to work on. And completely painless.