So far, we have learned that most body composition testing methods are inaccurate, and that it is not necessary to have your body fat measured in order to achieve success with your fitness goals. As a personal trainer, I have had the opportunity to train hundreds of people who are looking for guidance on how to become more physically fit. If there is one thing that I've learned from listening to these clients it is that they are sick and tired of feeling as if they don't "measure up" to societies idea of perfection. The real truth is that differences such as age, genetics, gender and level of fitness make it impossible to dictate what is "normal" for anyone.

I will give you a perfect example. Linda are Mary each 5'2" and weigh 145 lbs. Linda has a family history of heart disease. She also smokes a pack of cigarettes a day, never exercises and has extremely poor eating habits. Mary on the other hand, works out daily and eats a calorie-dense bodybuilding diet in order to help her add more muscle to her frame. She also has a great degree of bone density due to her genetics and years of strength training. According to standard methods of measurement such as body mass index (BMI), both women are not only considered overweight, but unhealthy as well! In fact, according to estimates, to be considered normal weight and healthy they each should weigh approximately 115 to 125 lbs. As you can see, these numbers do not say anything about the true state of health of either woman, nor do they reflect individual differences.

I believe in bringing you the truth about common practices which abound in the health and fitness industry. The fact is, there is big money in body composition testing. After seeing an ad in a fitness magazine for an expensive bioelectrical impedance device, I decided to order one. To test its accuracy, I entered my correct height, weight, gender and age, into the machine and waited for my body fat reading to appear. The reading was 23%, much higher than it actually is, due to the fact that I am a bodybuilder. I then decided to enter my gender as male. Instantly, my reading dropped by 8%! After further experimenting, I found that for every year or two older I made myself, my reading jumped higher and higher. For every year younger, I became leaner. Changing height and weight also changed the readings, so much for the claims of accuracy! I ended up mailing it back after going head-to-head with the manufacturer about the accuracy of their product.

Interestingly enough, they are now coming out with a "new and improved" model and offered to send me one. My response? No thank you. It is also common for many health clubs charge extra for assessing your body fat, testing and re-testing periodically to measure your success. The readings are then used as a motivational tool for keeping you on track. It is my belief that most people have a very real sense of success and failure, and do not always need to be reminded.

Here's the bottom line: There is nothing wrong with wanting to be attractive, healthy and fit. These are positive goals provided they come from your own inner desire to improve yourself. Don't waste valuable time, money and energy trying to measure up to someone else's idea of how you should look. Instead, appreciate that we all have strengths and weaknesses. Try to learn as much as possible about nutrition and exercise, this will empower you to take an active role in your own health and well-being. If you feel confused about where to begin, seek out a caring health and fitness professional who will help you develop an exercise and nutrition plan to fit your needs. Remember, understanding yourself and unlocking your own potential always yield the greatest results.

I hope you have enjoyed this series on "fat obsession". In the weeks to come, I will be bringing you additional fitness tips and information to assist you in reaching your fitness goals.

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