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Why I Got a DEXA Scan—and Why Every Woman Over 50 Should Consider One

The Missing Link Between Bone Density, Muscle Mass, Healthy Aging, and Longevity

By Beth Shaw, Founder of YogaFit®

Most people know their credit score.

Many know their cholesterol levels.

But surprisingly few know whether they’re losing muscle, accumulating dangerous visceral fat, or experiencing early bone loss.

As someone who has spent nearly three decades helping people move better, age better, and live healthier lives through YogaFit, I’ve always believed that knowledge is power. The more we understand about our bodies, the better equipped we are to make informed decisions about our health.

Recently, I decided it was time to learn more about mine.

So I scheduled my first DEXA scan.

The experience was quick, painless, affordable, and incredibly eye-opening. Within minutes, I received detailed information about my body composition, including body fat percentage, lean muscle mass, visceral fat levels, and bone density.

My first thought?

Why didn’t I do this sooner?

Aging Well Isn’t Just About Living Longer

On my Make America Healthy podcast, I’ve had the privilege of interviewing physicians, researchers, and longevity experts from around the world. One theme comes up repeatedly:

There is a difference between lifespan and healthspan.

Lifespan is how long you live.

Healthspan is how long you remain strong, mobile, independent, and capable of enjoying life.

Modern medicine has helped many of us live longer than previous generations. The challenge is ensuring those additional years are healthy, active, and fulfilling.

The goal isn’t simply to add years to your life.

The goal is to add life to your years.

The Silent Threats Nobody Talks About

Two of the greatest challenges associated with aging are osteoporosis and sarcopenia.

Osteoporosis is the gradual loss of bone density, increasing the risk of fractures and injury.

Sarcopenia is the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength.

Both conditions often develop silently over many years. You may feel perfectly healthy while changes are occurring beneath the surface.

According to national health statistics:

• Approximately 54 million Americans have osteoporosis or low bone mass.

• One in two women over age 50 will experience an osteoporosis-related fracture during their lifetime.

• Adults can begin losing muscle mass as early as their 30s, with the rate accelerating as they age.

The reality is simple:

You can’t improve what you don’t measure.

Why the Scale Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story

For years, many of us have focused on a single number—our weight.

But weight alone reveals very little about overall health.

Two women can weigh exactly the same and have dramatically different health profiles.

One may have strong bones, healthy muscle mass, and low visceral fat.

The other may have declining bone density, reduced muscle mass, and elevated metabolic risk.

The scale can’t tell the difference.

A DEXA scan can.

What a DEXA Scan Measures

A DEXA scan provides detailed information about:

Bone Density

Helping identify:

Body Composition

Including:

This information creates a powerful baseline and helps guide more effective nutrition, exercise, and wellness decisions.

The Good News: Bone and Muscle Can Be Improved

Many people assume that losing muscle and bone density is simply part of aging.

The research says otherwise.

Strength training, proper nutrition, mobility work, and consistent movement can significantly improve body composition, preserve muscle mass, and support bone health well into later decades of life.

This is one reason YogaFit has expanded beyond traditional yoga into programs that support strength, healthy aging, mobility, and functional fitness.

Strength Training Is No Longer Optional

After age 50, strength training becomes one of the most important investments you can make in your future health.

Benefits include:

Our YogaFit Strength & Sculpt® programs combine mindful movement with functional strength training to help adults build resilience while protecting their joints.

Don’t Forget Your Core

A strong core is about much more than appearance.

Core strength supports:

These qualities become increasingly important as we age.

Nutrition Matters Too

Exercise is only part of the equation.

Adults over 50 should prioritize:

Combined with resistance training, these nutrients support healthy bones, healthy muscles, and overall longevity.

What Should We Be Measuring?

Instead of focusing solely on weight, consider tracking:

These markers are far more closely connected to long-term health and independence.

My Biggest Takeaway

Getting a DEXA scan wasn’t about chasing perfection.

It was about gathering information.

The results gave me a clearer picture of where I am today and helped me identify areas where I can continue improving my health as I age.

That’s empowering.

If you’re over 50, I encourage you to consider scheduling a DEXA scan and establishing a baseline for your future health.

Knowledge is power.

And when it comes to healthy aging, the sooner we understand what’s happening inside our bodies, the more options we have to influence the outcome.

Because longevity isn’t simply about living longer.

It’s about staying strong enough to enjoy every year you’ve earned.

Learn More

Explore YogaFit programs that support healthy aging, strength, mobility, and lifelong wellness:

• YogaFit Strength & Sculpt®
• YogaFit Core & Back®
• YogaFit for Personal Trainers®
• Anatomy I & Anatomy II
• YogaFit Therapy®
• Yoga as Healthcare®

Listen to the Make America Healthy Podcast for conversations with leading experts in longevity, healthy aging, metabolic health, and functional fitness.

Get stronger. Move better. Live longer.