Why We Recommend a Body Composition (Bio-Impedance) or Body Fat Scan
Most people judge their progress by the number on the bathroom scales, but your weight only tells you how heavy you are—it doesn't tell you what your body is actually made of. Weight can fluctuate from day to day due to changes in body fat, muscle, hydration, food in your digestive system and glycogen (stored carbohydrate). This is why, at My Temple, we use a professional Bio-Impedance Analysis (BIA) body composition scan to gain a much clearer understanding of your body before, during and after your fat freezing treatment.
Unlike the scales, a body composition scan estimates important measurements including your body fat percentage, total fat mass, skeletal muscle mass, lean body mass, visceral fat estimate, body water, Body Mass Index (BMI) and Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). These measurements provide a valuable baseline so we can better understand your body composition and educate you about the factors that influence your results.
One of the biggest misconceptions people have is that fat loss and weight loss are the same thing. They aren't. You may lose body fat while gaining muscle, resulting in very little change on the scales despite noticeable improvements in your shape and clothing fit. Equally, someone may lose weight but also lose valuable muscle mass, which is not an ideal outcome. Looking beyond the scales helps provide a much more accurate picture of your progress.
Understanding your muscle mass is particularly important because muscle is metabolically active tissue. The more lean muscle you maintain, the more energy your body generally requires each day, even while at rest. This becomes increasingly important as we age, particularly during peri-menopause and menopause, when the gradual loss of muscle can contribute to a slower metabolism and make weight management more challenging. For this reason, we encourage strategies that support both fat reduction and muscle preservation.
Your body composition scan also estimates your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), which is the approximate number of calories your body requires each day simply to keep you alive and functioning. This includes essential processes such as breathing, circulating blood, regulating body temperature and supporting your organs, but does not include exercise or everyday movement. Understanding your BMR helps you make more informed decisions about nutrition, physical activity and realistic expectations throughout your fat loss journey.
At My Temple, we don't rely on the scales alone to measure success. We combine your body composition scan with body measurements, clinical photographs (where appropriate) and your own observations, such as how your clothes fit and how you feel. Together, these provide a far more complete picture of your progress than your weight ever could.
Most importantly, your body composition scan is an educational tool. It helps you better understand your body, make informed decisions and appreciate the changes occurring throughout your treatment journey. We believe that the more you understand the science behind body fat, metabolism and body composition, the more empowered you are to achieve long-term results. These concepts are explored in even greater detail in our founder Linda Pickett's book, Why Can't I Lose Weight?, which many of our clients find to be a valuable companion to their treatment journey.