I have been quantified today.

I wanted to get a baseline of my body composition, how much lean, how much fat.  I know that the handheld body fat testers at LA Fitness never work with someone my size.  I also know that skin fold calipers are completely useless for me.

Hydrostatic weighing is currently the "gold standard" of body composition measuring.

The only place around here is at Portland Adventist.  They charge $60 for the initial measurement and $40 for follow ups.

It was a little freaky, but kind of fun too!

I changed into my swimsuit and the technician led me to a small tiled room with what looked like a tall, rectangular Roman tub.  There was a set of stairs at one end with ladder rungs going down into the water.  She explained that the tub was sunk into the floor, so it was actually deeper than it initially looked.  There was a chair made out of black pipes attached to a scale that hung from the ceiling.

I'm definitely buoyant, so she put a weight belt on me to help get completely submerged.  I had to blow all the air out of my lungs while completely submerged.  After getting the same reading at least 2-3 times I was able to get dressed.

The tech brought out the report and asked what I thought my percentage of fat was.  I said that I thought it was probably 50% or more.  Turns out I was right!.

BMI:  57.3
Percentage body fat:  50.5% (169 lbs fat, 165 lbs lean).
Based on my lean mass, a healthy weight of 22-27% body fat would be 212-226 lbs.
My goal:  180 lbs. 

I figure my goal weight is doable since approximately 25% of weight lost will be muscle.

At least I finally have proof that I am "big boned". 

I had a really good entrée yesterday.  The HMR Vegetarian Thai Curry with Brown Rice.  So good!  Nice warmth from the curry.  Definitely going to purchase more of that one!