body fat % dilemma solved

donjtomasco

This morning (like always) I had my weekly weigh in having not eaten or drinking anything, zippo. I tried again at 5:00pm after a sedentary day, normal meals and lots of water like normal. Wow, my % was 1.4% less. This was on the Tanita TBF-410 body analyzer scale. I did it 2 more times back to back, same readings. For fun I drank a 1/2 gallon of water out of my jug, waited 10 minutes and re weighed. It was up (oddly) to my old % that was 1.4% higher. I did it again, same thing. So.....it looks like over drinking screwes up the test, but yes, hydration and nutrition the day of the reading is important. Also, I did not know that 1/2 gallons of water weighs 4 pounds. I was bloated.

pollypocket1021

Those scales work via an electrical impulse. Muscle is conductive. Water is conductive. So a change in hydration will absolutely change the reading you get from the scale.

donjtomasco

Yes and to a lower fat %. I get weighing first thing in the morning before eating or drinking anything. Now I get testing body fat % when in a more normal state, nourished and hydrated (on that scale). This may not be the case using calipers.