Confession time: I took my DEXA scan the Friday after Halloween. Not my brightest timing decision. My bloodstream was basically 30% Swedish Fish, 20% Rolos, and a solid 10% Almond Joys. But I showed up anyway because I wanted the truth...not the candy-coated version...about what’s really going on inside my body.
And that’s exactly what a DEXA scan gives you: data. Not guesses. Not feelings. Hard numbers about your body composition, bone density, and visceral fat. If you’re serious about staying strong, aging well, and avoiding the “I think I’m doing enough” trap, this scan is worth every penny.
What the Scan Told Me
Here’s the headline:
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Body fat: 27% - totally healthy for an active woman in her 50s, but my goal is closer to 23%.
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Lean mass: Good, but I could stand to build more muscle (especially in my arms and legs).
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Visceral fat: Very low - I’ll take that win!
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Bone density: Excellent across all measured regions.
So, while I’m proud of the results, I see clear areas to improve. Specifically? Building more lean muscle through heavier lifting. That’s been tricky lately because I’ve been dealing with a nagging left wrist injury, which has made it hard to train at full capacity. But the scan reminded me: strength isn’t optional. It’s essential.
Bone Density: The Quiet Foundation We Forget About
For women in perimenopause and beyond, bone density is one of the most important (and under-discussed) health markers out there. Estrogen levels decline during this stage, which accelerates bone loss, meaning your risk for osteoporosis increases dramatically in your 40s and 50s.
The good news? You can fight it.
Weight-bearing exercise, strength training, and resistance work literally tell your bones to stay strong. Your body is remarkably adaptive: if you load it, it builds.
In my case, the scan confirmed what I was hoping for: my bone density is in the normal-to-excellent range for my age, likely because I walk with a weighted vest and strength train consistently. But I’ll be honest: I know I need to lift heavier. I’ve been protecting my wrist (slowly rehabbing it), but my goal for the next few months is to ramp back up to heavier compound lifts - the kind that make your bones and muscles both stronger.
The Importance of DEXA Scans for Women over 40
Because knowledge is power.
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You can’t fix what you don’t measure.
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It gives you a baseline for your fat, lean, and bone mass.
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It helps you make smart training and nutrition decisions.
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It’s motivating! Seeing the science of your progress changes how you work.
If you’re in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, DEXA scans run anywhere from $100–$250, depending on the provider and how detailed the analysis is. (I purchased mine at a charity auction, so let’s just say it was a mystery discount.)
Good news: DEXA scans may be HSA/FSA eligible, especially if you’re doing it for bone health or under medical guidance. If it’s purely for body composition, you might need a letter of medical necessity from your doctor, so keep your receipt and check with your provider.
How I’m Using the Data
My plan from here is simple:
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Aim for 145–160g of protein daily (that’s what it takes to maintain and build muscle).
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Lift heavier weights as my wrist allows.
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Keep doing weighted walks and resistance training 4–5 days a week.
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Re-scan in six months to measure progress.
Because at this point in life, my goal isn’t just to look strong, it’s to be strong. Inside and out.
Final Thoughts: The Candy Can Wait. The Data Can’t.
Look, you don’t have to be a data nerd to care about this stuff. But you do have to care about your body if you plan on using it for the next 40 years.
A DEXA scan is like a report card for your health, one that tells you exactly where you stand so you can make better choices moving forward.
If you’re lifting, eating well, or just trying to age on your own terms, this is one test I’d put on your list. Bonus points if you do it after Halloween. NOTHING humbles you faster than staring at your internal candy statistics in HD.
Find One for You
Ready to know your numbers?
Search “DEXA scan near me”. In Dallas where I am clinics like Body Lounge (this is where I got mine and loved the experience), BodySpec, and DexaFit have convenient options starting around $100. Ask if they can run both bone density and body composition for the full picture.
Then send me your results. We can compare Rolos-to-muscle ratios.
