DEXA SCAN & RMR Results!

A little bio info: I am female, 5'6", 47 years of age with a high weight of 275 lbs.  This morning, I weighed in at 171 lbs and I have been taking in 1600-1700 calories daily.  My goal weight is 160 lbs. and I had the DEXA scan to see if I am on point & if I need to reduce my daily caloric intake.

Had my appointment at BodySpec this morning at 7:15 am.  I think I was the first client in so we got started immediately.  I decided yesterday to included the RMR (resting metabolic rate) test so I could get a full picture.  I knew my metabolism was shot and this test confirmed that.  My metabolism is -40% which is SLOWER than a snail.  I burn a whopping 1469 daily calories at rest.

The DEXA scan was cool and took all of 10 minutes.  I have 31.2% total body fat with 111.2 lbs of  lean tissue.  My weight was calculated at 171 lbs which means my home scale is very accurate as far as weight.  I do weigh daily to keep my focus.  My bone density Z score is 2.4 which is great--strong bones.  I seem to carry my weight in my waist.  

Now, for the confusing part--I may need to spend more time reading/interpreting this scan.  At 31% total body fat, I land in the 40-60th percentile on the lower end.  From my research, the average woman should have 32% total body fat or less.  I think this is good????

OK, I know this is a dumb question but I need some help--can someone help me to determine what my ideal weight range should be??

WOW, you are really into the numbers. I only had a dexa scan to make sure I was not losing bone  

I could go into all the numbers and experts advice but YOU determine what weight range is good for you.  Go by how you feel, do you like how you look, how your clothes feel?  I personally liked 118-125, doctors said 130-150....so it's up to you my friend

He's gotten you this far, so he has some good ideas. Do you distrust him about this?  It really seems he has you on a plan that is just a few calories a day shy of maintenance. 

Kathy S.,

I am truly a numbers woman!  I'm a fund manager at work and do a lot of projecting--3-5 years out so it spills over to personal life.  My surgeon has stated that my current weight is great.  

I am so goal oriented and 160 pounds has been my target.   I just need to truly understand where I am, am I good and what is next.

WHOOP THERE IT IS!  

Seriously you are doing GREAT!

Kathy S,

If it's not being too nosy, did you stick with your personal goal or with the doctor's numbers?

I stayed between 118 and 125 for over 10 years.  I recently had a death in the family and put some weight on.....  I was 330 pounds and when my surgeon said he would be happy if I reached 150 that is understandable.  I a m 5 foot 3 inches and found out I was very petite (LOL) so 150 I was not happy with....

You are my role model - I and 18 months out - I weight lift and am very muscular, so 140-145 is my target weight. (now at 133 after shoulder surgery, but I expect to put that 10 pounds back on when I can return to weight lifting - there is visible muscle atrophy on my left side).  My plan is to be at goal in 10 years also.

I was into weight lifting for years and need to get back to it.  It really helps with loose skin and I wanted to have as little fat and as much muscles as possible before my PS.  Send me some pics!  In my day I used Heather Leff workout program FIT OVER FAT.

Keep it going, you are doing GREAT!

Kathy this is not the same medical Dexascan for just Bone Density. It is the same machine- different software. Gives you lots of information...including body fat and bone density.