I spent hours yesterday optimizing my entire Geckoboard so that I can actively monitor our growth metrics. As a growth hacker (we have got to come up with a better term), I use data as my compass to navigate, measure, and improve our customer acquisition initiatives.
I’ve taken a similar approach to my health over the past year. Although I haven’t actively monitored my health like I’m monitoring the health of Bunny Inc., I have quantified my base, my starting point in my quest to live forever.
My wellness goal this year is to hit 160 pounds while reaching a body fat percentage of 15%. I’m utilizing Core Drive 5 (Social Influence and Relatedness) to push myself hard to reach this goal — by publicly announcing my goals, I’m more likely to feel the pressure to achieve them.
Lets take a look at what I’m working with.
Blood work
My physician is Dr. Samuel Magnus. We ran a full blood analysis which produced the following results:
Date: test taken on 9/26/14
1. Functionally depressed glucose, lactate dehydrogenase, triglycerides, and vitamin D
Possible causes:
- Reactive hypoglycemia
- Immune system hyperactivity
- Vitamin D deficiency
2. J Elevated BUN/creatinine ratio, functionally elevated red blood cells and hemoglobin
Possible causes:
- Dehydration
3. Functionally depressed carbon dioxide and functionally elevated anion gap
Possible causes:
- Thiamine*deficiency
- Malabsorption
4. Functionally depressed magnesium
Possible causes:
- Magnesium deficiency
- Malabsorption
- Body fluid loss
- Diuretics
5. Functionally elevated total protein and albumin/globulin ratio
Possible causes:
- Hypochlorhydria (decreased stomach acid)
- Leaky gut (increased intestinal permeability)
6. Functionally elevated alkaline phosphatase
Possible causes:
- Bone growth
- Gastric inflammation
7. Functionally elevated high density lipoprotein and homocysteine
Possible causes:
- General inflammation
- B vitamin deficiency
8. Functionally depressed thyroid stimulating hormone, T3 uptake, and reverse T3
Possible causes:
- General inflammation
- Increased estrogen levels
- Infection
9. Functionally elevated neutrophils
Possible causes:
- Chronic infection
It sounds like my body is falling apart, doesn’t it? I’m taking a blood test soon to compare my results from last year. Hopefully I’ve made some progress, but if not, now I have social pressure to improve them.
Body composition
I did a test at the Bone Density and Body Composition Center to analyze my body fat percentage.
Date: test taken on 9/4/14
There’s a number that you can slightly see circled: 16.9%. That was my body fat percentage last year. My goal is to improve that to 15% by the end of the year — I know, not a lofty goal, but I have 3 months left and I’m trying to hit 15% while gaining 10 pounds.
Gut bacteria
I’ve recently become fascinated with gut bacteria and poop. Though I don’t know enough to write intelligently about it yet, I hope to do so by the end of the year.
I took a test with uBiome to measure my gut bacteria. Here are my results:
Date: test taken on 9/8/14
As you can see, my gut bacteria closely mimics the gut bacteria of heavy drinkers. Unfortunately, Ubiome doesn’t give recommendations, just data. It’s up to me, and my physician, to take this data and improve my health.
Allergen evaluation
I think I’m allergic to milk. I’ve taken a plant-based protein and have had terrible upset stomachs. I’m figuring out what I’m allergic to slowly but surely.
Who has time for that?
I decided to try Advanced Allergy Solutions to figure out once and for all what I’m allergic to. Here are the results:
Date: test taken on 10/7/15
I’m working with them right now to improve my digestion.
Just for kicks: Ancestry Composition
I thought it would be fun to analyze my ancestry using 23andMe.
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So there you have my starting point. I have 3 months to hit my goals:
- 160 pounds
- 15% body fat
Yes, it will be hard to hit it because of the holidays, but better to start now — I’m just too impatient to wait.
Follow up posts will include my progress.