Tuesday 8 April 2008

Catastrophic.....

....well, that is how the InBody 520 found my body! What a pal!

I attended a workshop on Saturday to find out where I was lacking, because I was starting to experience an overall lack of energy, a little bit cranky, reduced motivation and I was struggling with an upper respiratory infection.

Here I thought I was doing so well with my training, my diet, my (small amount) of core work, nope, the machine saw right through my smoke screen.

My days of beer swilling, cigar smoking, scarfing back processed meat sandwiches while sitting at the computer blogging have caught up with me!

KIDDING...well, about the meat sandwich anyway, hahahaha

My body composite proved to be catastrophic!

Body Composition Analysis consists of;

  • Weight
  • Lean Body Mass
  • Body Fat Mass

This is where the machine found that my body is catastrophic and I need to lose 20 lbs.

Let me explain.

Technically all of the above should either align on the bar graph OR your Lean Body Mass should exceed the other two. That is your ultimate goal....however, my Lean Body Mass was less than the other two. In essence creating a " C " (catastrophic) shape when you connect the graph bars....

Body Water Balance

  • Intracellular Water
  • Extracellular Water

= Total Body Water

I wasn't too bad here.

Obesity Diagnosis

  • BMI was within range
  • Percent Body Fat was over the normal range (Darn that extra glass of red wine isn't helping!)
Segmental Lean Development

  • Right Arm
  • Left Arm
  • Trunk
  • Right Leg
  • Left Leg
My arms are not too bad, I'm strong from shovelling snow!

My trunk needs work. More plank, more crunches and more core work all round!

My legs are strong from all of the running!

It really was a fantastic workshop, well worth attending, I learned so much about fueling for the longer runs. Things that you think you know, but don't put into practice.

I was lacking enough carbohydrates to get me through the long runs. Plus, because of my body makeup, I need to eat more often during the day than what I was. Smaller portions but more often will help me keep my blood sugar levels on a more even keel this will help me with the longer runs since I am now considered an "older runner".

Between getting enough Carbs (which I wasn't), hydrating properly (which I am) and better meal planning, there has already been a noticeable difference in my overall feeling of well being. EEEHHHAAAWWW!

My long 29K run (which actually ended up being 26+K) on Sunday was a really good strong run, which I recovered from easily.

Tonight Jen and I ran a 7K tempo run and we took almost 5 minutes off of last weeks time....something is working!!!

There are seven weeks until race day and a lot more miles to put in. The days at the gym are paying off as well. I've been trying to get at least 35 minutes on the eliptical and 45 minutes on the bike at least twice per week. I find it less stress on the hips than pounding the pavement.

I'll keep you posted and let you know how it's working out!

In the mean time, it's omega3 eggs, soya chocolate milk and tons of fiber rich foods.....


Because this is what I want to look like on race day!!!

Life's fun if you don't weaken, enjoy the journey one carb filled step at a time!

Lily

16 comments:

David said...

Those are great lessons to start at any age. When I modified from 3 meals a day to about 7 snack times a day, my metabolism went nuts, and so did my energy level. I'm not sluggish and tired all day, and I burn bright during the day and am ready for bed at a reasonable hour. Most of this is totally against my nature, as I would rather eat brunch, then a hearty fare of bar food while swilling Guiness until closing time. Somehow that doesn't constitue proper training diet or race fueling. Weird, I know!

Anonymous said...

I so need to do that workshop.

Marcy said...

OMG that machine would probably put me into a deep depression LMAO! I guess I subscribe to the "Ignorance is bliss" method? LOL But it's also most likely why I feel like poop all the time :P

That's really cool though chica!

Jane Hards Photography said...

Bugger the machine! Keep on running. My daily exercise is now chasing the wildlife( the people) of Ramsey to photograph them. Make sure that one carb at a time is a delicious one.

jahowie said...

You have to be feeling pretty good about yourself. :-)

Vickie said...

So that's what its become, we're now considered "older runners"? What catastrophic thing could befall us next??

Nancy said...

Oh that's sounds really cool. I'd love to try it. I love love love that lady at the computer. I'm dying over that one.

I read an article the other day about a woman who is 100 who exercises every day, but only walking and biking. Her doc told her (60 years ago) that women over 40 shouldn't run. I was LMAO over that one. Thank God times have changed. :D

Nitmos said...

This whole omega-3 thing has me in a quandry. They say to eat lots of salmon (or some other fish). But then I read fish is loaded (sometimes) with very dangerous mercury. What to do? Compromise. Have a Snickers.

Unknown said...

That's pretty interesting stuff, but I think I'd be turned off the moment my body was labled catastrophic...that's just evil!!

Anonymous said...

damn blogger... third time lucky here I hope.

good info for us *older* non runners.
I go for many small meals because of low blood sugar too.
Plus it's all about the comlex carbs rather than any white carbs.

Omega 3s? fish oil capsules maybe?
t

Unknown said...

InBody 520, huh? Nothing a sledge hammer can't take care of... ;-)

triguyjt said...

i got on one of those machines with a voice reading and it said "one at a time please".

seriously...awesome that you did that. you are doing insanely well.....very proud of you,lily

Anonymous said...

"This whole omega-3 thing has me in a quandry. They say to eat lots of salmon (or some other fish). But then I read fish is loaded (sometimes) with very dangerous mercury. What to do? Compromise. Have a Snickers."

I am going with Nitmos on this one.
Note to self: pick up snickers @ the grocery.

Hi girlfriend!

*hugs*
~ b

Amy said...

Catastrophic??? Old??? The workshop sounds very interesting but I wonder if it isn't dangerous for your self confidence! I hope your weather is starting to brighten up - I feel like I am letting you guys in upper North American down now that it is getting better here! Good luck as you move into your last weeks of marathon training!

P.O.M. said...

That sounds like great info. I saw a nutritionist during my last training and learned some valuable things to help me not get so tired/lethargic in the afternoons. Eat early, eat often.

Mendy said...

That sounds like something I need to do to put my mind where I need it to be in order for me to focus on loosing weight. I need some motivation from somewhere. That's great you did it!!