Everyone’s body is unique; we all are different shapes and different sizes. Because of this fact, if you’re eating the exact same food and doing the exact same exercise as someone else, your body will look different — and that’s okay! A lot of people get too hung up on the numbers (weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and clothing size, to name a few) and forget that it’s also important to live your life. 

The Kahm Clinic Case Study

“I often see individuals who are nourishing their bodies really well and incorporating movement that they love,” nutritionist Elaina Efird, RDN, CD, CEDRD, CSSD shares. “Their bodies are hanging out at a certain weight, but it’s not the weight they should be according to a weight or BMI chart.”

Today, let’s look at a case study of an individual who falls into this category. When this client first came to The Kahm Clinic, her resting metabolic rate (RMR) was within the normal range at 1,640 calories. Her protein substrate (the breakdown of muscle) was normal as well. She was nourishing her body well and eating around 2,400 calories per day based on her RMR and exercise routine. She consistently practiced movement that made her happy, including weight lifting, snow skiing, and biking.

During a two-year timeframe, her weight stayed within a four- to five-pound range. She maintained a high lean mass, and while her fat mass fluctuated a little bit from appointment to appointment, it ultimately stayed about the same. See the details below for her specific measurements.

Date - Weight - Lean Mass - Fat Mass

September 2017 - 183.3 pounds - 119.8 pounds - 63.5 pounds

January 2018 - 185.1 pounds - 120.1 pounds - 65.0 pounds

May 2018 - 184.7 pounds - 120.0 pounds - 64.7 pounds

March 2019 - 184.4 pounds - 121.2 pounds - 63.2 pounds

When she first came in to see us, her goal was weight loss. She felt like her body was “too heavy” based on the numbers. But it’s important to consider what her body composition, as noted above, is telling us. She’s doing exactly what she should, and her weight is remaining the same!

The Relationship Between Body Size and Health

Prior to her visits to The Kahm Clinic, this individual struggled with over exercising (up to three hours a day) and under-eating. During this time period, her weight was in the high 150s. However, as soon as she backed off exercising and stopped measuring her calorie intake, her weight began creeping up.

So do you tell this individual that she must over exercise and under-eat in order to maintain the “correct” weight? Or do we focus on the fact that her body is stable at a higher weight with proper nourishment, healthy exercise, and a flexible lifestyle? 

“I’m going to leave that question open-ended because I want you to think about it,” Elaina concludes. “Remember that the best thing you can do for your body is nourish it well, do movement that you love, and be consistent with both of those things.” 

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To talk to a professional about eating disorder treatment, nutritional needs, and more, please reach out to our staff or schedule an appointment at The Kahm Clinic today.