DEXA Scan - One year results! Have to tell someone!

I am 5'5". Thanks everyone, I was just so excited

And I can now deadlift 225 lbs! Bench press is up to 115 lbs, and squats at 175 lbs... Hoping to get all those up in the next 3 months while eating a lot, gaining maybe 5 pounds... then doing the scan again! It is really cool - it shows you the body fat % for each body part separately, so I will know exactly where I gain fat or muscle for next time!

DEXA is actually a bone density scan that happens to calculate your body fat, lean muscle, "tissue" and organs in grams during the scan. It is not supposed to be a fitness test, it is a diagnostic tool for osteoporosis or osteopenia. For example, I found out that while my overall bone density was considered "normal", my hips (especially right one) and spine (by vertebrae) are in the top of the osteopenia range. He suggested I start taking vitamin D (he said EVERYONE needs that) and calcium right away and consistently as they are already more prone to fracture than my other bones in my arms and legs.

But he was basically a technician who just administered the scan. If your doctor ordered it to screen for osteoporosis, I assume they would discuss that with you. He walked through the 12 pages of results with me explaining what each meant, but he was by no means a fitness type of person.

Juvenica wrote: »

Well Done! Well Done! Well Done! Well Done!

THANKS

mona52bask wrote: »

You look awesome. Thanks for sharing and giving the great advice. Especially the "it takes time". You started in 2009 and now you're looking great. You are an inspiration.

Thank you! But it did not really take that long... More like consistent effort over two (non-consecutive) years.

The first pic from 2009 was a "before" pic that never had an after because I did not stick to the program/diet I chose for even a week. In 2011-12 I lost 50 pounds pretty fast, and ended up at 145 (top right) but was very "Skinny fat". I thought I looked good, took those pics and was completely CRUSHED at how bad I looked still.

Over the year after that I fell into depression and gained 20 pounds, putting me back at 165. That is when I started seeing a trainer (Oct 2013). The bottom left pic is after 4 months with him - I lost the 20 pounds, putting me back at 145... So the 2nd and 3rd pic are the same weight - but look at the sizes and stats! I was a whole size smaller in clothes, and all my measurements were smaller. Why? Lifting weights! I was starting to get some muscle .

I fell in love with lifting heavy as possible, and watching every "dent" (i.e. muscle definition shows up as dents between muscles, I always notice them first) show up on my body as the muscles starting becoming more defined and the fat started melting away. From Jan to May this year I lost the 15 pounds.. I have been at 130 since May - just slowing recomping from fat to muscle. That is why I was so frustrated that the body fat on my scale wouldnt change - I thought I was not making progress even though I could see it on my body! The pics prove it! But I like numbers... hence the scan

And every month he makes me eat more... and my lifts get higher... Its a self-feeding cycle. I was having a rough time in real life outside the gym early on, and he told me to think of the gym as the highlight of my day... And I did - it gave me something to look forward to every day, crank up the music, and feel like a badass I like that !