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PUSH-as-Rx ®™ is leading the field with a laser focus on supporting our youth sports programs.  The PUSH-as-Rx ®™ System is a sport-specific athletic program designed by a strength-agility coach and physiology doctor with a combined 40 years of experience working with extreme athletes. At its core, the program is the multidisciplinary study of reactive agility, body mechanics, and extreme motion dynamics. Through continuous and detailed assessments of the athletes in motion and while under directly supervised stress loads, a clear quantitative picture of body dynamics emerges. Exposure to the biomechanical vulnerabilities is presented to our team.  Immediately, we adjust our methods for our athletes in order to optimize performance.  This highly adaptive system with continual dynamic adjustments has helped many of our athletes come back faster, stronger, and ready post injury while safely minimizing recovery times. Results demonstrate clear improved agility, speed, decreased reaction time with greatly improved postural-torque mechanics.  PUSH-as-Rx ®™ offers specialized extreme performance enhancements to our athletes no matter the age. Book Appointment Today: https://bit.ly/Book-Online-Appointment
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The Importance of Fitness Assessment for Your Health | Call: 915-850-0900 or 915-412-6677

The Importance of Fitness Assessment for Your Health | Call: 915-850-0900 or 915-412-6677 | PUSH-as-Rx ®™ Wellness Exercise & Fitness | Scoop.it

For individuals looking to improve their fitness health, can a fitness assessment test identify potential areas and help evaluate overall health and physical status?

Fitness Assessment

A fitness test, also known as a fitness assessment, helps evaluate an individual's overall and physical health. It comprises a series of exercises to design an appropriate exercise program for general health and fitness. (National Strength and Conditioning Association. 2017) Fitness assessment testing benefits include:

 

  • Identifying areas that need improvement.
  • Assisting professionals in understanding what types of exercise are safest and most effective.
  • Helping measure fitness progress over time.
  • Allowing for an individualized plan that can help prevent injuries and maintain the body's overall health.

 

An assessment can comprise a wide range of tests, including:

 

  • Body composition tests.
  • Cardiovascular stress tests.
  • Endurance tests.
  • Range of motion tests.

 

They are meant to ensure the individual won't be at risk of injury and provide the trainer with the insights needed to establish clear and effective fitness goals. Individuals who wonder whether fitness testing would benefit them should consult their healthcare provider.

General Health

Before starting a fitness program, it is important to inform the trainer of individual medical history and get the necessary approval from a primary healthcare provider. (Harvard Health Publishing. Harvard Medical School. 2012) Fitness specialists usually use one or more screening tools to help determine individual baseline health.


This may include obtaining vital sign measurements like height and weight, resting heart rate/RHR, and resting blood pressure/RBP. Many trainers will also use a physical activity readiness questionnaire/PAR-Q comprising questions about general health. (National Academy of Sports Medicine. 2020) Among the questions, individuals may​ be asked about the medications being taken, any problems with dizziness or pain, or medical conditions that may impair their ability to exercise.

Body Composition

Body composition describes total body weight components, including muscles, bones, and fat. The most common methods for estimating body composition include:

Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis - BIA

  • During BIA, electrical signals are sent from electrodes through the soles of the feet to the abdomen to estimate body composition. (Doylestown Health. 2024)

Body Mass Index - BMI

Skinfold Measurements

  • These measurements use calipers to estimate the amount of body fat in a fold of skin.

Cardiovascular Endurance

Cardiovascular endurance testing, also known as stress testing, measures how efficiently the heart and lungs work to supply oxygen and energy to the body during physical activity. (UC Davis Health, 2024) The three most common tests used include:

12-minute Run Tests 

  • Twelve-minute run tests are performed on a treadmill, and an individual's pre-exercise heart and respiration rates are compared with post-exercise heart and respiration rates.

Exercise Stress

  • Exercise stress testing is performed on a treadmill or stationary bike.
  • It involves using a heart monitor and blood pressure cuff to measure vital signs during exercise.

VO2 Max Testing

  • Performed on a treadmill or stationary bike.
  • V02 max testing uses a breathing device to measure the maximum rate of oxygen consumption during physical activity (UC Davis Health, 2024)
  • Some trainers will incorporate exercises like sit-ups or push-ups to measure response to specific exercises.
  • These baseline results can be used later to see if health and fitness levels have improved.

Strength and Endurance

Muscle endurance testing measures the length of time a muscle group can contract and release before it fatigues. Strength testing measures the maximal amount of force a muscle group can exert. (American Council on Exercise, Jiminez C., 2018) The exercises used include:

 

  • The push-up test.
  • Core strength and stability test.

 

Sometimes, a trainer will use a metronome to measure how long the individual can keep up with the rhythm. The results are then compared to individuals of the same age group and sex to establish a baseline level. Strength and endurance tests are valuable as they help the trainer spot which muscle groups are stronger, vulnerable, and need focused attention. (Heyward, V. H., Gibson, A. L. 2014).

Flexibility

  • Measuring the flexibility of joints is vital in determining whether individuals have postural imbalances, foot instability, or limitations in range of motion. (Pate R, Oria M, Pillsbury L, 2012)

Shoulder Flexibility

  • Shoulder flexibility testing evaluates the flexibility and mobility of the shoulder joint.
  • It is performed by using one hand to reach behind the neck, between the shoulders, and the other hand to reach behind the back, toward the shoulders, to measure how far apart the hands are. (Baumgartner TA, PhD, Jackson AS, PhD et al., 2015)

Sit-And-Reach

  • This test measures tightness in the lower back and hamstring muscles. (American Council of Exercise, Metcalf A. 2014)
  • The sit-and-reach test is performed on the floor with the legs fully extended.
  • Flexibility is measured by how many inches the hands are from the feet when reaching forward.

Trunk Lift

  • Trunk lift testing is used to measure tightness in the lower back.
  • It is performed while lying face-down on the floor with arms at your side.
  • The individual will be asked to lift their upper body with just the back muscles.
  • Flexibility is measured by how many inches the individual can lift themselves off the ground. (Baumgartner TA, PhD, Jackson AS, PhD et al., 2015)

 

Fitness assessment testing has various benefits. It can help trainers design a personalized workout program, help individuals identify fitness areas that need improvement, measure progress, and add intensity and endurance to their routine, which can help prevent injuries and help maintain overall health. We focus on what works for you and strive to better the body through researched methods and total wellness programs. These natural programs use the body’s ability to achieve improvement goals. Ask a healthcare professional or fitness professional for guidance if you need advice.

PUSH Fitness

 

General Disclaimer *

The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and identified the relevant research studies or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies that are available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

 

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please contact Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.

 

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACPCCSTIFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico*

References

National Strength and Conditioning Association. (2017). Purposes of assessment. https://www.nsca.com/education/articles/kinetic-select/purposes-of-assessment/

 

Harvard Health Publishing. Harvard Medical School. (2012). Do you need to see a doctor before starting your exercise program? HealthBeat. https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/do-you-need-to-see-a-doctor-before-starting-your-exercise-program

 

National Academy of Sports Medicine. (2020). PAR-Q-+ The Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for Everyone. https://www.nasm.org/docs/pdf/parqplus-2020.pdf?sfvrsn=401bf1af_24

 

Doylestown Health. (2024). Bio-Electrical Impedance Analysis (BIA)-Body Mass Analysis. https://www.doylestownhealth.org/service-lines/nutrition#maintabbed-content-tab-2BDAD9F8-F379-403C-8C9C-75D7BFA6E596-1-1

 

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (N.D.). Calculate your body mass index. Retrieved from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmicalc.htm

 

UC Davis Health. (2024). VO2max and Aerobic Fitness. https://health.ucdavis.edu/sports-medicine/resources/vo2description

 

American Council on Exercise. Jiminez C. (2018). Understanding 1-RM and Predicted 1-RM Assessments. ACE Fitness. https://www.acefitness.org/fitness-certifications/ace-answers/exam-preparation-blog/2894/understanding-1-rm-and-predicted-1-rm-assessments/


Heyward, V. H., Gibson, A. L. (2014). Advanced Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription. United Kingdom: Human Kinetics. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Advanced_Fitness_Assessment_and_Exercise/PkdoAwAAQBAJhl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Strength+and+endurance+tests+muscle+groups+are+stronger+and+weaker&pg=PA173&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q=Strength%20and%20endurance%20tests%20muscle%20groups%20are%20stronger%20and%20weaker&f=false

 

Pate R, Oria M, Pillsbury L, (Eds). (2012). Health-related fitness measures for youth: Flexibility. In R. Pate, M. Oria, & L. Pillsbury (Eds.), Fitness Measures and Health Outcomes in Youth. https://doi.org/10.17226/13483

 

Baumgartner, T. A., Jackson, A. S., Mahar, M. T., Rowe, D. A. (2015). Measurement for Evaluation in Kinesiology. United States: Jones & Bartlett Learning. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Measurement_for_Evaluation_in_Kinesiolog/_oCHCgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Measurement+for+Evaluation+in+Kinesiology+(9th+Edition).&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

American Council of Exercise. Metcalf A. (2014). How to improve flexibility and maintain it. ACE Fitness. https://www.acefitness.org/resources/everyone/blog/3761/how-to-improve-flexibility-and-maintain-it/

Dr. Alex Jimenez's insight:

Learn about the benefits of fitness assessment and how it can guide you in designing a personalized exercise program. For answers to any questions you may have, call Dr. Alex Jimenez at 915-850-0900 or 915-412-6677

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Weight Loss Strategies That Are Evidence-Based | Dr. Jimenez D.C. | Call: 915-850-0900 or 915-412-6677

Weight Loss Strategies That Are Evidence-Based | Dr. Jimenez D.C. | Call: 915-850-0900 or 915-412-6677 | PUSH-as-Rx ®™ Wellness Exercise & Fitness | Scoop.it

The human body is a complex system, that requires consistent development in all areas. When it comes to weight loss being too strict can cause the body to rebel. Examples are individuals that have lost weight, then put it right back on, or get stuck in a plateau. The objective is to step off the weight loss rollercoaster and embrace weight-loss strategies that work. Here, we explore a few evidence-based weight loss strategies that focus on long-lasting success.

Improve insulin sensitivity

When consuming carbohydrates, it is broken down into sugar.

The body needs a certain amount of sugar to function. However, it is a narrow safety range. If the level gets too high for too long, cellular damage happens. The role of insulin is to guide the excess sugar/glucose into the cells. However, more individuals are experiencing high blood insulin levels, called hyperinsulinemia. Possible symptoms can include:

 

  • Sugar cravings
  • Unusual weight gain
  • Frequent hunger
  • Excessive hunger
  • Unable to concentrate
  • Anxiety or feelings of panic
  • Lack of focus
  • Extreme fatigue

 

Insulin rises because the blood sugar does. It’s dangerous to let glucose levels stay elevated, which is why more insulin gets produced to bring the blood sugar down. Given enough time constant hyperinsulinemia can result in a condition called insulin resistance, where the cells become resistant to the effects of insulin and are less effective.

Insulin sensitivity and weight loss

A high level of insulin in the blood can trigger weight gain and make losing it difficult. Results of high insulin:

 

  • Disrupts the breakdown of fat known as lipolysis
  • Raises the potential for fat storage
  • Increases the risk of regaining weight despite following a low-calorie diet

Improving insulin sensitivity can be done by:

  • Consuming whole, low glycemic foods
  • Eating healthy fats
  • Incorporating high-intensity interval training
  • Going for optimal gut health
  • Managing stress effectively

Manage stress levels

Stress and stress eating could be contributing to an expanding waistline. Examples could be eating a favorite meal while barely being conscious of the process or the inability to resist a chocolate bar after a long, distressing day. Research published in the Journal of Health Psychology found that stress-related eating has a preference for calorie-dense and highly tasty foods. And when stress levels rise, food cravings rise, triggering fat gain.

Reducing stress

There are a variety of techniques that can help the mind and body relax turning off the stress response. Here are some science-based favorites:

 

  1. Free-range eggs
  2. Nuts
  3. Seeds
  4. Fatty fish
  5. Dark chocolate

Proper sleep cycle

Proper sleep means sound sleep eight hours each night. Many individuals have convinced themselves that five or six hours is enough. Unfortunately, research shows otherwise. In a study published in PLOS Medicineresearchers studied the effects of short sleep duration on hormones that lessen or increase hunger, and on body mass index or BMI. They found the participants with short sleep had reduced leptin and elevated ghrelin which increases appetite and can contribute to weight gain.

Improving sleep quality

  • Developing a healthy sleep routine
  • Have the same sleep and waking time
  • Time to wind down
  • Meditate a little before sleep
  • Take a warm bath 90 minutes before bed
  • Avoid blue light at least 90 minutes before going to sleep
  • Limit caffeine intake as it can negatively affect sleep even when taken six hours before sleep
  • Avoid/limit alcohol in the evenings
  • Regular physical activity can help release stress and tension, tiring the body out so sleep comes naturally
  • 30 to 40-minute endurance sessions a week are plenty. However, for some individuals, exercising too close to bedtime can have the opposite effect. Therefore, take note of whether this would be a problem.

High-Intensity Interval Training

There are a variety of approaches to exercising. But there is one evidence-based approach that has been proven to:

 

  • Burn abdominal fat
  • Reduce waist circumference
  • Address insulin resistance

It is known as HIIT.

High-Intensity Interval Exercise involves:

 

  • Repeated brief sprints with all-out intensity immediately followed by low-intensity exercise or rest.
  • This type of exercise is a perfect match for:
  • Treadmill workout
  • Elliptical trainer workout
  • Skipping/jumping rope
  • Rowing workout
  • Walking workout

Increasing Muscle Mass

An increased amount of muscle increases the basal metabolic rate or BMR. This increases the body's ability to burn fat and lose weight. A loss of lean body mass lowers resting energy expenditure and increases fatigue and injury risk. For individuals trying to lose weight the metabolic decline triggered by a loss of lean body mass can cause regaining the fat previously lost. What this means is that when muscle mass drops so does metabolism along with the ability to keep the weight off.

 

When muscle mass increases the body can easily burn fat, making it possible to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. It’s important to remember that as the body's muscle mass increases the body needs more energy to nourish and support this new tissue. This means that higher calories are allowed, as not having enough calories becomes counterproductive. Muscle mass increase can be achieved by:

 

  • A healthy diet will help build muscle
  • Strength and resistance training
  • Taking protein supplements

Weight loss strategies takeaway

With the right approaches, permanent weight loss is possible. Instead of deprivation, focus on science-backed approaches that work:

 

  • Improved insulin sensitivity
  • Stress management
  • Sound sleep
  • High-intensity interval training
  • Increasing muscle mass
  • Choose approaches that are enjoyable and fun

 

This will make sticking to the weight loss strategies easier and will contribute to a happy, healthy life.

 

Body Composition

 

 

Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Blog Post Disclaimer

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*

 

Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*

References

Chao, Ariana et al. “Food cravings mediate the relationship between chronic stress and body mass index.” Journal of health psychology vol. 20,6 (2015): 721-9. doi:10.1177/1359105315573448

 

Taheri, Shahrad et al. “Short sleep duration is associated with reduced leptin, elevated ghrelin, and increased body mass index.” PLoS medicine vol. 1,3 (2004): e62. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.0010062

Dr. Alex Jimenez's insight:

The human body is a complex system, that requires consistent development. The objective is to embrace weight-loss strategies that work. For answers to any questions you may have please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900 or 915-412-6677

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Weight Loss and Whole Body Chiropractic | Call: 915-850-0900 or 915-412-6677

Weight Loss and Whole Body Chiropractic | Call: 915-850-0900 or 915-412-6677 | PUSH-as-Rx ®™ Wellness Exercise & Fitness | Scoop.it

Chiropractic medicine specializes in the musculoskeletal system. It treats the whole body because if one area of the body is inflamed, swollen, out of place, or damaged, it affects other areas. Chiropractic's goals are to bring the body back into balance and get it functioning at an optimal level. Achieving overall health and wellness requires an individual's body to be at its appropriate weight.

Obesity and Pain

Chronic pain and obesity are linked, according to various studies. Individuals dealing with chronic pain are more likely to become obese, and those who are obese have an increased risk of developing a chronic pain condition. Research studies also show that individuals that lose weight have a reduction to complete alleviation of pain.

The Pain Gain Cycle

The goal is to break the cycle. When an individual is dealing with pain symptoms, eating foods high in sugars and starches can be comforting. However, unhealthy food is fueling the pain and causing inflammation. Back pain commonly occurs in individuals that are obese. Chiropractic helps kickstart the weight loss process by relieving pain naturally and safely.

Spinal Alignment and Weight Loss

Spinal alignments go beyond relieving pain to help with weight loss. Adjustments improve the body’s ability to burn fat and maintain overall health. A spine that is out of alignment can affect the nerve pathways of the central nervous system and the communication signals affecting nearly every aspect of the body. Problems with the central nervous system can affect how the whole body burns fat and the metabolic system.

Hormone Regulation

Spinal misalignments can affect the body's hormone regulationThese hormones include those for breaking down foods during digestion. Affected hormones can contribute to weight gain and prevent weight loss. Chiropractic corrects the nerve's pathways, allowing for proper hormone regulation, which can help with weight loss.

Pain Relief and Exercise

Exercise is pivotal to losing weight, building muscle, and maintaining health. The problem for overweight individuals is that they are in too much pain to exercise. With back pain, just walking a quarter of a mile can become excruciating, and this is where chiropractic care for pain relief comes in. When managing pain through chiropractic, individuals can exercise regularly.

Nutrition and Lifestyle

The whole body is a unit where everything affects something else. Chiropractors are becoming or teaming up with certified nutritionists and health coaches. Part of a treatment plan includes nutritional recommendations personalized to individual needs and weight loss goals. They also recommend:

 

  • Specific exercises
  • Lifestyle adjustments
  • Third-party support

Whole Body Composition

 

Weight Loss and Cheat Meals/Days

A cheat day or meal every once in a while will not undo weeks and months of regular workouts and eating healthy. Cheat days can help individuals stay motivated for the long term. But this does not mean getting carried away and going on a bender or making cheat days a routine. The goal is to develop healthy eating habits that become the norm while decreasing the craving for junk food. Changing body composition and losing weight is a long-term journey, but done correctly and with support turns into a healthy body.

 

General Disclaimer *

The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and issues that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.

 

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACPCCSTIFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico*

References

DeMaria, Anthony, et al. “A weight loss program in a chiropractic practice: a retrospective analysis.” Complementary therapies in clinical practice vol. 20,2 (2014): 125-9. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2013.11.007

 

James M Whedon, DC, MS, Andrew W J Toler, MS, Louis A Kazal, MD, Serena Bezdjian, Ph.D., Justin M Goehl, DC, MS, Jay Greenstein, DC, Impact of Chiropractic Care on Use of Prescription Opioids in Patients with Spinal Pain, Pain Medicine, Volume 21, Issue 12, December 2020, Pages 3567–3573, https://doi.org/10.1093/pm/pnaa014

 

Okifuji, Akiko, and Bradford D Hare. “The association between chronic pain and obesity.” Journal of pain research vol. 8 399-408. 14 Jul. 2015, doi:10.2147/JPR.S55598

Dr. Alex Jimenez's insight:

Chiropractic medicine treats the whole body because if one area is inflamed, swollen, out of place, or damaged, it affects other areas. For answers to any questions you may have, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900 or 915-412-6677

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The Body's Metabolism and Body Composition | PUSH as Rx | Call: 915-850-0900 or 915-412-6677

The Body's Metabolism and Body Composition | PUSH as Rx | Call: 915-850-0900 or 915-412-6677 | PUSH-as-Rx ®™ Wellness Exercise & Fitness | Scoop.it

The body's metabolism along with body composition go hand in hand. The higher the metabolism the faster the body burns calories. The slower the metabolism the longer it takes and leads to fat storage as well as other issues, which include:

 

  • Excess gas
  • Sugar cravings
  • Continued weight gain
  • Weight loss difficulties
  • Constant Feeling of Bloatedness
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Easy cellulite development
  • High blood sugar

 

Metabolism is linked with weight gain and loss because it is a biological process involved with energy and calories. The process of the body converting food and drink into energy. The process involves the calories in food and drinks that get combined with oxygen to release energy that the body needs to operate.

Body Composition Linked To Body's Metabolism

Metabolism varies for every individual. Here are two body composition profiles.

Individual A

Individual B

Individual A has a much smaller Basal Metabolic Rate than Individual B. This means individual B needs more calories than individual A to provide the body with the proper energy to function without losing weight. Because the Basal Metabolic Rate is bigger, the metabolism is bigger. The most important factor playing into Basal Metabolic Rate is the amount of Lean Body Mass every individual has.

 

The more Lean Body Mass the greater the Basal Metabolic Rate will be. Strength training for muscle gain will increase lean body mass and is recommended to increase metabolism. For example: Take a look at Jane and Sarah, two individuals who are similar in age, height, weight, and gender.

Jane

Sarah

Despite being similar in age, height, weight, and gender, these two individuals have very different body compositions, as well as have different Basal Metabolic Rates.

Metabolism and Weight Gain

Take a deeper look at slow metabolism. It is not about being fast or slow but weight gain is almost always the result of caloric imbalance that goes on over a period of time. Two major factors are:

 

  • An individual's energy level and how active they are
  • The thermic effect of food or the energy the body uses when digesting food
  • These taken together with Basal Metabolic Rate provide Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE). This is the number of calories the body burns in a day.

 

To take a closer look into the body's metabolism and weight gain, take the two individuals above, Jane and Sarah, and see what could happen in real treatment development that includes diet and exercise. First, the TDEE for Jane and Sarah needs to be estimated, using their BMRs as a guide. Based on their compositions, it's fair to assume that Jane is involved in less physical activity/exercise than Sarah. So an activity level of sedentary for Jane will be assigned and light activity will be assigned for Sarah.

 

Using these numbers and multiplying them by the appropriate activity factor, Jane’s TDEE can be estimated to be 1573 calories and Sarah’s 1953 calories, a difference of 380 calories. When activity levels are factored in, the difference in actual caloric needs gets magnified. This is an estimate of the calories Jane and Sarah will need to burn in a day. The nutritionist and/or health coach place both of them on a diet of 1,800 calories a day. This is the estimated calorie intake recommended by the USDA for sedentary women between 26-30 years of age.

 

Let's say they both follow the diet perfectly without any extra, high-calorie snacks/treats. Jane will end each day with a surplus of 227 calories, while Sarah ends each day with a slight calorie deficit of 153 calories a day. When in a calorie surplus taking more calories and living a sedentary lifestyle, weight gain, specifically, fat storage will be experienced. 227 extra calories a day doesn't seem like a lot, but that is a single soda. However, over time, 227 calories a day becomes 1,589 extra calories a week and 7,037 extra calories a month, which is around 2 pounds of fat gain every month.

 

So despite the same height, gender, similar weight, and similar ages, the difference between Jane and Sarah is their body compositions. Jane will experience weight gain over time while Sarah might experience some weight loss because of the calorie deficit, even though the diets are the same. This is because each individual's caloric needs are different and may seem small at first, but increases to significant differences over time.

Making The Body's Metabolism Work

With the correct exercise and dietary plan, an individual can make their metabolism work for them. Because the body needs more energy to support itself when it has more Lean Body Mass, working to increase Lean Body Mass will increase Basal Metabolic Rate. Avoiding a decrease in metabolism can be done by maintaining the Lean Body Mass that is already present and also means maintaining Skeletal Muscle Mass. Skeletal Muscle Mass is not the same as Lean Body Mass but is the overall largest contributor. It is the muscles that will grow and develop through exercise.

 

Skeletal Muscle Mass is effectively developed through strength training, resistance exercise, and a healthy diet. This will help maintain Skeletal Muscle Mass. This is especially important as the body ages. Activity levels tend to drop and a healthy diet can become harder to maintain as responsibilities increase. Poor nutrition can lead to loss of Lean Body Mass over time, which leads to a decrease in overall metabolism. Balancing diet and metabolism. The example of Jane shows a well-intentioned dietary plan that does not match the metabolism of the person practicing it.

 

Even though Jane was told that 1,800 calories are right for her based on age and gender, her metabolism does not require that calorie intake. This will cause weight gain despite any efforts to eat a healthy diet. This is where a health coach and nutritionist come in. The first step is to get the information needed to get the answers by getting an accurate body composition analysis.

 

InBody Composition

 

 

Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Blog Post Disclaimer

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*

 

Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*

References

Westerterp, Klaas R. “Exercise, energy balance, and body composition.” European journal of clinical nutrition vol. 72,9 (2018): 1246-1250. doi:10.1038/s41430-018-0180-4

 

Mazzoccoli, Gianluigi. “Body composition: Where and when.” European journal of radiology vol. 85,8 (2016): 1456-60. doi:10.1016/j.ejrad.2015.10.020

Dr. Alex Jimenez's insight:

The body's metabolism along with body composition go hand in hand. The higher the metabolism the faster the body burns calories. For answers to any questions you may have please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900 or 915-412-6677

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