Know to Grow: How Measuring Gave Me the Power to Move Forward
“You can’t manage what you don’t measure.” — Peter Drucker
“To know yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” — Aristotle
“You’re not guessing. You’re learning.” — Me, after my first scan
We’ve Talked About Starting Again. Now Let’s Talk About Knowing Where You’re Starting From.
As I shared in previous posts, turning 73 sparked a new season of courage.
I recommitted to Pilates—not for posture, but for power.
I stopped asking, “What should I let go of?” and started asking, “What can I build next?”
But there was one more question I hadn’t explored:
“Where am I—really?”
Not in mood or weight or self-image, but in measurable, actionable terms.
That’s when I stepped onto the InBody scanner.
And it changed everything.
What’s Actually Being Measured?
This isn’t your bathroom scale.
InBody body-composition technology reveals the body’s landscape:
- Skeletal Muscle Mass – foundation for balance, function, and longevity
- Body Fat Percentage – a marker for metabolic health
- Visceral Fat – linked to heart disease, insulin resistance, and inflammation
- Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) – the energy you burn at rest
- Hydration & Water Balance – reflects tissue function and vitality
- Segmental Muscle Analysis – upper/lower and left/right strength patterns
Dr. Gabrielle Lyon calls muscle “the organ of longevity.”
Dr. Stacy Sims reminds us that “muscle mass is a critical buffer against hormonal decline.”
These aren’t aesthetic metrics; they’re health-span metrics.
The sooner we track them, the better we can protect our future.
The Empowerment of Knowing
After my first scan, I didn’t feel judged—I felt equipped.
There was no “good” or “bad,” just data saying:
“Here’s where you are. Now let’s work from here.”
That clarity was liberating.
As Dr. Peter Attia writes in Outlive:
“We can’t change what we aren’t willing to confront. But when we measure, we gain power over time.”
Enter LifeBase
Of course I try to eat well.
But was I actually nourishing my goals?
LifeBase connects the dots between data and daily life.
It translates InBody results into customized macronutrient targets—mine focus on maintaining and building lean muscle.
Dr. Sims teaches that protein needs rise as estrogen declines, yet most women over 50 under-consume it.
LifeBase doesn’t guess; it calculates.
The app keeps me accountable and aligned with what my body truly needs.
From Guessing to Growing
Before InBody + LifeBase, I was relying on intuition alone.
And while I trust my intuition, I now pair it with evidence.
It’s not about chasing perfection—it’s about partnering with truth.
It’s about saying, “I see you. I believe in you. Let’s grow—together.”
The Story of One Week
In just one week of tracking, I noticed:
- A definite rise in energy
- A deeper sense of agency
- A clearer sense of direction
Because I wasn’t guessing anymore.
I was growing—on purpose.
And Then—Curiosity Moved Me Even Further
Curiosity is momentum’s twin. Once you start measuring, you start exploring.
That same impulse that led me to the InBody scanner eventually led me further into movement itself.
To music.
To expression.
To the exhilarating world of Ballroom Dance—where every muscle, every ounce of balance, every metric I’ve built becomes art in motion.
It turns out that the power to measure my body gave me the courage to do the really hard thing --- dance --- in public.
Citations + Resources
Peter Attia MD — Outlive: The Science & Art of Longevity
Gabrielle Lyon DO — Forever Strong
Stacy Sims PhD — Next Level: Your Guide to Kicking Ass, Feeling Great, and Crushing Goals Through Menopause and Beyond
InBody USA — inbodyusa.com
LifeBase Nutrition Platform — lifebasenutrition.com
