Do you consider body fat percentage?

LotusCass

I've just bought new scales that calculate BMI & body fat percentage. I thought I'd been doing well, losing 11 lbs in 6 weeks, but my body fat percentage is 34%. That's not great. I read that 31% or less is considered good for women. Have you tracked your bodys fat %age?
Ive just begun circuit training classes with some pretty high intensity strength training as part of it, whereas I'd previously only been doing cardio, so hopefully my %age will drop soon. I've never considered it before and wondered how many of you do track it.

rainbowbow

I do track my bodyfat percentage and i think it's incredibly important.

that said, the scales that track water, body fat, and weight use something called Bioelectrical Impedence Analysis which is highly inaccurate depending on hydration levels and can't be trusted as a reliable source to track trends overtime.

sardelsa

You can use it to monitor trends, but I wouldn't say it's particularly accurate. Personally I just go by how I look in the mirror and progress photos vs a bodyfat% number. It's more like...is there still fat in areas I don't want? Gotta keep going lower.. kind of thing

nowine4me

I track it monthly. Just know, it's much harder to move the needle on body fat, so don't get discouraged. For me, at my current weight, maybe 10# equals 1%.

rsclause

Everybody says "its not accurate" but when I was at 15% I had abs and was at my lowest weight. Twenty pound heavier I am at 21.5 %. Okay, it may not necessarily accurate but the trend is spot on!

lemurcat12

Yes, I think it's really important and I am more concerned with it than scale weight.

On the other hand, the scale isn't a good way to measure it, and changes in your body weight is probably the best way to monitor changes if you are losing weight. (If you are recomping, measurements are going to be a good regular way.)

GottaBurnEmAll

Bioimpedence scales aren't really accurate, but as stated upthread, they are good for spotting trends.

I do consider tracking body fat to be important, and go by eye and measurements to keep a loose eye on mine.

AnvilHead

http://weightology.net/weightologyweekly/index.php/free-content/free-content/volume-1-issue-4-the-pitfalls-of-body-fat-measurement-parts-3-and-4-bod-pod-and-bioelectrical-impedance-bia/the-pitfalls-of-bodyfat-measurement-part-4-bioelectrical-impedance-bia/