Tracking bodyfat

bostonwolf

I've been looking into the best/most affordable ways to do this. Unfortunately I don't have any Bodypod or DEXA facilities anywhere near me that are open to the public (though I'm on the list for a phone call if a local one currently used in a research study does indeed open up to the public)

I was wondering if some of the scales out there are worth buying? I know I'd have to weigh in at the same time (probably morning) so my hydration levels or lack thereof aren't throwing off the reading. Calipers just seem like too big of a pain in the *kitten* and again, there really isn't anywhere I'd feel comfortable getting it done.

I understand that the scales might not be entirely accurate, but at this point I just need them to be consistent as I'm probably still around 30% bodyfat or more.

thanks for any tips!

alanlmarshall

There is a body fat estimation thread in this forum, it might be your best bet.

Sarauk2sf

Hi! I wrote up this topic re body fat estimates:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/830595-body-fat-estimation-methods



I would probably use an online calculator that uses measurements to track progress over a scale tbh.

bostonwolf

Thanks Sara, wanted to share my measurements and results just for fun. I did the 3 tests on your links and averaged them to get a number that is right about where I thought I was. So in my case the eyeball test was spot on!

Height: 6'3 (75 inches)
Weight: 295 lbs
Neck: 19 inches
Forearm: 13.5
Waist at Navel: 50 inches
Hips: 47 inches
Thigh: 25 inches
Calf: 19 inches.

Custom BF Ratio: 30.1%
Military BF Ratio: 33.7%
Covert Baily Ratio: 28.8%

Average: 30.86%

At 20% body fat I would weigh roughly 255 lbs. Guess I'm not seeing south of 200 any time soon

Sarauk2sf

Hang in there - it can be a slow process. How much are you currently losing a week?

Sarauk2sf

Locking for now so we can keep track of currently active threads easier. Please PM ether myself or SideSteel if you have any further questions or comments, and include a link to this thread and we will unlock.

Sarauk2sf

Unlocked at OPs request

bostonwolf

Updated numbers as of 7/14/13 (Happy birthday mom and Vive La France!)

Height: 6'3 (75 inches)
Weight: 293 lbs
Neck: 19 inches
Forearm: 14
Waist at Navel: 49.5 inches
Hips: 45.5 inches
Thigh: 26 inches
Calf: 19 inches.

Custom BF Ratio: 29.7%
Military BF Ratio: 33.4%
Covert Baily Ratio: 26.6%

Average: 29.9%

Roughly a drop of 1% in bodyfat in six weeks. Will try to ramp that up a bit after my vacation at the end of the month but moving in the right direction.

Sara, goal going forward is 1lb/week. At my size I think that will reasonable down to about 260 or so.

Chief_Rocka

I don't think it's worth worrying about.

If you're losing weight, you're losing bodyfat. If you're eating enough protein, doing proper resistance training, and keeping a modest deficit, then you're holding on to as much muscle as possible.

Sarauk2sf

I don't think it's worth worrying about.

If you're losing weight, you're losing bodyfat. If you're eating enough protein, doing proper resistance training, and keeping a modest deficit, then you're holding on to as much muscle as possible.

^^yep.



And thank you for the update. Keep it up, you are doing great.