What my first DEXA scan reminded me about my body
Note from Jamie
I like to share things that light me up, fill me with joy, and make my life easier. Nothing is sponsored. These are just things that are helping me along my journey.
What my first DEXA scan reminded me about my body
A few days ago, I did something I’ve never done before… I had my very first DEXA scan.
And I walked away feeling proud of myself.
Not because of “perfect” numbers.
But because of what they reflected back to me—years of showing up for my body with care, consistency, and intention.
I take really good care of myself. I move consistently, I lift heavy, I nourish my body well. A big part of that is because I want to feel strong, energized, and well as I move through this stage of life.
And yes… there’s a little vanity in there, too. I’m human. 😊
So I was curious to see what the numbers would say.
I showed up in simple workout clothes—yoga pants, a sports bra, and a fitted top (no zippers, buttons, or jewelry). After filling out a quick questionnaire, they took my height and weight.
Then I was brought into a room with a long scanning table. The technician helped position me so everything lined up correctly, and then the scan began.
It took about six minutes total. I just laid still while the scanner moved up and down over my body. It was easy, quick, and completely painless.
A few minutes later, they printed out my results and walked me through everything.
Two main pieces:
- Bone mineral density
- Body composition (fat, muscle, and distribution)
The technician walked me through everything, and I had the chance to ask questions and really understand what I was looking at.
Here’s what stood out most to me:
✨ My bone density is strong.
My T-score came in at +0.6, which is considered solid and healthy. This felt especially meaningful heading into perimenopause. Years of strength training, lifting heavy, jumping, and HIIT-style workouts are clearly supporting me here.
✨ My legs are especially dense and strong.
This made me smile. Carrying around my nearly 6’2” frame every day counts—and it shows.
✨ I have a lot of lean muscle mass.
This felt like a reflection of consistency over time. Not perfection—just showing up again and again.
✨ My body fat was a little higher than I thought it would be… and still within a healthy range.
This was my most honest moment.
There was a pause. A little part of me that thought, “Really?”
And then… perspective.
I’m naturally pear-shaped. I have curves. My body holds fat in certain places—and that’s part of how I’m built.
Could I make changes? Of course.
And also… there’s a piece of this that simply is.
I have muscle. I have body fat. This is my body.
✨ My visceral fat (the kind around your organs) is low.
Which is one of the most important markers for long-term health—and that felt incredibly reassuring.
Afterward, I followed up with my naturopathic doctor, and she was really pleased with my results. What I appreciated most was her perspective: this isn’t about chasing numbers—it’s about having a baseline and understanding what’s possible moving forward.
Because that’s the thing about a DEXA scan…
It’s not something you do often.
My technician recommended coming back in about two years, because real change in bone density and body composition takes time. My naturopath echoed that and shared how valuable it is to get scans in your 40s and 50s—when you still have time to be proactive and intentional.
And that really stayed with me.
Because I’m walking away from this experience not thinking about perfection…
But about presence.
About showing up for myself.
About honoring my body for what it does so well.
And also gently supporting it where there’s room to grow.
My dedication matters.
My consistency matters.
The way I care for my body matters.
And so does acceptance.
These numbers don’t define me.
They simply give me insight—information I can use to better understand what works best for my body.
If anything, this experience deepened my respect for it.
Strong. Capable. Responsive.
And uniquely mine.
If you’re curious, I had my scan done at UW-Milwaukee in their Kinesiology department. It was $75, and they also offer VO₂ max testing and basal metabolic rate testing to the public.
It’s not something everyone needs to do.
But if you’re someone who’s curious about your body…
or you want a baseline as you move through this stage of life…
it’s a really insightful experience.
Not because of the numbers themselves—
but because of what they can reflect back to you about how you’ve been showing up.
xoxo,
Jamie
Inspiration
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A natural hand sanitizer that actually keeps your hands from drying out.
Made with essential oils known for their antibacterial properties, plus aloe and vitamin E to keep your skin soft.
I keep one in my car and use it all the time—it’s easy, effective, and I trust it when I’m out and about.
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This recipe is from our community cookbook, where neighbors share their most trusted home-cooked meals.
This Carrot & Butterbean Soup is a nourishing dish that balances a smooth, puréed base with the hearty texture of whole beans and diced vegetables. It's simple to prepare and deeply satisfying.
Live well. Be kind.
Jamie
