Baseline data

How can you know where you’re going if you don’t know where you’re at?  For a few years I’ve been searching for a DEXA machine without a Dr’s note.  I tried going somewhere in Houston and was turned down because I didn’t have a Dr’s note.  The more and more I looked, I was finally able to find someone in Houston who provides DEXA, RMR, VO2max testing and nutrition guidance.  If you’re wondering what DEXA is and why I was so fixated on it, let me explain.

I grew up playing soccer for 15 years.  I took 7 years off before returning to running.  During that time I studied, amongst other things, statistics.  I fell in love with data and all the awesome things you can learn and do with it.  Starting in 2008 I tracked small bits of health data I could get my hands on.  As time passed, I gathered more types and at higher frequency.  Weight and body fat % are the core data points that can help us both as athletes and as non athletes. Body fat % can be measured a few different ways.  The least expensive and least accurate is bio-impedance.  This is typically the scale or hand held measuring device.  This is best used to track change over time for not very much money.  There is underwater weighing or hydro-static weighing.  There is also something called the BodPod.  This is a strange egg shaped device that measures air volume I think.  Finally there is the gold standard, DEXA.  This is the most accurate method and is actually an x-ray that tells you body fat and bone mineral density.  I’ve done them all.  I really like the conversations and data points that can be had when you have tried all different types.  Malissa at Composition ID Houston is super knowledgeable and super friendly!  She, like most, couldn’t believe that I had been tracking data for so long over so many different methods.  When I showed up, I felt a very warm welcome and inviting environment.  Best of all the results are the most accurate possible.  I really look forward to going back to get an update on how far I’ve come since I did my baseline a while back.

There is no better time than the present to set yourself up for success.  Take a few minutes to think about and write down some short and long term goals you have for yourself. I learned from a wise friend to write them on your mirror with a dry erase marker.  Don’t be limited to one subject or any other type of obstacle.  Each and everyone of us deserves to be better than we are today.  This is for our family, for our friends, for our kids and most of all for ourselves.  There are lots of books, presentations, etc on how to set goals.  It really just takes some time to yourself.  It takes some confidence and encouragement.  Make 2017 the year to reach for your goals.  Be consistent and you can do it!  Make 2017 the year to be better and do better.

Thanks for coming along with me on this journey.