Health and Fitness Super Sleuthing

Having noticed that I was starting to ‘plateau’ of sorts at the gym and with my diet, I decided I needed to do a bit of super sleuthing deeper into the shape of my fitness health. So I went and did a Bio Age test, a Body Composition Test and booked into see a dietitian that was outside the traditional public health/diabetes system. I’ve also been investigating some new exercise options outside of my usual gym sessions... so when I saw an offer to try Cardio Tennis for free I couldn’t resist. I didn’t need my own tennis racket or to even know how to actually play!

Here's what I thought of them all:

Bio Age Test:

This test was Interesting, but I’m not convinced it’s anything better than a feel good test. It’s quite straight forward as someone (my gym trainer did mine) steps you through a process which includes answering a lifestyle choices based questionnaire (such as do you smoke, how much to alcohol do you drink a week, how sedentary is your lifestyle, what stress factors you have etc etc). This is followed by a basic measure and weigh assessment where everything from your height to bicep, waist and thigh are measured. Next a mild flexibility test is conducted to see how far past you toes you can reach (from a ‘cold’ beginning, meaning you haven’t already exercised and warmed up). Then the lungs and general fitness are tested by carrying out simple exercises such as a plank, beep test and push ups. This is then processed and an analysis report is provided. 

Overall, it said I was in good health... that does not surprise me as I put in a conscious effort to be so! My actual age is 27, my bio age is 21. Fantastic you might think, BUT there is one huge massive factor that was not asked – Whether I have any major medical disorders, diseases, aliments, hereditary concerns etc etc. There was absolutely no clarity as to whether the data and results could or were taking into account that I am a Type 1 Diabetic so I feel quiet dubious about the entire process. That was really one of the things that I am most curious of - how does my body stack up to a 'normal' person, but comparatively. When I get a moment I might do a little googling to see if other diabetics have crossed this issue.

Some Bio Age indicator tests can also be done online, but I think these are even more useless. The one I did said I had the bio age of a 5 year old.....mmmm yeah no I don’t think so! 

Body Composition Test and Private Dietitian Consult

Feeling like I’d not really learnt that much more about my fitness, I was eager to find out about my body composition in detail. Then over the car radio on the way to work I heard someone raving about a body composition test done locally by a dietitian. I took it as a sign and rang up right away. 

I should mention here that I seem to have been gaining at least 200g a week for the last month. I’ve gained 3kg in the last two months without trying, and having gone to the gym 4-5 days a week. I started wearing a heart rate monitor and have recorded burning 250-550 cals a session, while following a diet of 1500 cal or less a day. So I’m perplexed to say the least.

So to the dietitian I went. The Body Composition test was even simpler! Basically you stand on a small machine, hold a rod in each hand like you’re playing an arcade game of downhill skiing and just stand still for a minute. You can see an example of the machine I used here. Not surprising to me, my Body Composition Analysis showed that everything was pretty much normal. But as I told the dietitian, I don’t want to just be normal: I want to be great because the better I am now, the better my chances long term. So went through number by number and I have to say it was great. It was comforting yet insightful and great for goal setting. It’s even given me an ideal weight and what amount of fat or muscle needs to go or grow for me to get there!

The other fantastic think to come from this was seeing a dietitian that was outside of my usual sphere at the diabetes centre. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the access i have to the team at my local centre, but I was very pleasantly surprised but the different approach this dietitian had. He really listened to what I wanted to achieve and how. Rather than just seeing diabetes and then person who has it. Rather than seeing a disease that a person then has to mould into. Basically he was helping me to do my diabetes my way. If you’re not completely happy with the medical team you already have, or the team that you fell you’re supposed to see, I highly highly recommend trying someone new. Even ask non diabetics if they have any recommendations – that’s how I found this dietitian. 

Now I still need to work through his suggestion over the next three weeks (we have a review then) and I’m not saying that its I know for sure right now that its absolutely going to be perfect , but it’s been a great mind opener.

Now on to the fun one..

CARDIO TENNIS

Wow...Well I just went low writing those words and had to step away for ‘15’! Last night I tried a new kind of fitness class. I am now sporting a blister on my left big toe and my legs are sore (the blister isn’t too bad and was created in my super awesome comfy Nikes...goes to show just how hard we worked!). But I’m happy: it’s a happy blister, a happy low and a happy sore. I won’t lie though, I feel wreaked. I am not used to the 60 minutes of non-stop cardio with a heart rate never below 150 that is the whirl wind of Cardio Tennis. BUT (and fellow Type 1s will feel my sense of achievement here) I didn’t once go low OR high in the whole session, before or after! I was a bit high this morning though, on account of drastically pulling my insulin back as I had no idea if would cause a massive midnight low. 

Cardio Tennis is basically non-stop cardio drills carried out on a tennis court, involving hitting the tennis balls while running around but is not overly focused on technique (thank goodness!) – Rather just try hit it and most importantly never stop moving! Worth checking out... will keep you posted on whether I book in for the actual term....