TLDR; my DEXA scan shows a lean mass decrease of approximately 3kg, and a fat increase of about the same, in spite of increasing my strength work outs. Why is this happening and what sort of professional do I talk to figure out how to reverse it?
I've had three DEXA scans over the last 18 months. The results of the first one were unsurprising, the second one was fine and the third one made me go WTF??!?!
The first was prompted by curiousity and showed pretty much what I expected, a reasonable amount fat/lean mass in proportion, leaning towards the squishy side of things.
The second scan was done in early June. It showed a slight increase in body fat but also in lean mass, roughly in proportion. Fine, people do often gain weight while training for a half marathon, and I'd trained for two in the intervening period.
For comparison purposes, training consisted of Maffetone method (low heart rate) runs, (2x 30 minutes, 1x long) and one weights/cardio interval class each week.
Five months later I had my third scan; I was interested in was seeing if/how my body changed during marathon training. Unfortuanately I didn't get myself organised, so it's actually about 4 weeks after my marathon.
The scan showed a decrease of about 3kg of lean mass and an increase of roughly the same in fat.
Training consists of interval runs, (2x 30 minutes), run-walk-talk with a friend (1x45 min), 1x long run and three (machine) weights sessions each week, plus 4x 10 minute core sessions, one yoga class and currently a 100 squats per day challenge.
I don't know what to make of the result. I don't understand how I can work this hard and lose lean mass. The scan clearly shows that my body fat is distinctly denser now than it was previously.
Who do I talk to to understand what's happening, and work out how to reverse it? Ideally I'd like to add muscle and remove fat.
Random thoughts:
1. Same company, same technician, same machine (presumably; I was in the same office at least)
2. The technician had seen several people already that morning and their results were pretty much as expected
3. I thought DEXA was the gold standard for body composition analysis; am I wrong?
4. I turned 40 in April; is this aging at work? (In which case, why am I even bothering...)
5. My diet has been pretty consistent. Protein shake after work outs, salad and fish lunches, stir fry style dinners. I don't really watch my intake and I do enjoy the more delicious things in life. |
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