Body fat

Aliflyfishing

I’m trying to loose weight following being diagnosed with Neuralgic Amyotrophy which paralysed my diaphragm, caused severe nerve damage and muscle atrophy. Oh and pneumonia too! At my heaviest I was 110kg last November and I’ve been loosing slow and steady. I have started seeing a personal trainer to help minimize pain and to help build muscle again. On 29 June I was 98.4 kg (15st 6lb). 4 July I was 97.4kg so I’ve been desperate to get to the magic 14st something!

Got weighed today 98.4kg (15st 6lb) I was so disappointed as I’ve been so good sticking to my 1200 calories. Can’t go lower than that and I’m limited on how much activity I can do. Anyway I had a look at the slip of paper from the machine and notice that the first showed body fat mass as 49.6kg. I didn’t do the body fat measure on the 4 July but I did today - 46.2kg. So am I right in thinking that even though I gained weight I have actually lost 3.4kg of body fat??? Or is that just wishful thinking????

malibu927

Definitely wishful thinking. It's extremely difficult for to gain muscle in a deficit, and moreso for women.

How are you measuring your calorie intake?

HeidiCooksSupper

Body fat measuring methods are notoriously iffy. If you are sticking to your calories you are likely to be losing weight but just holding a bit more water this time. Look at the long term pattern and don't let the normal ups and downs drive you crazy. Lots of things can cause variations: salt in what you ate, weather, a sore muscle, hormone (especially women's monthly cycle), etc.

I weigh a pound and a half more than I did yesterday. I had Chinese take out last night so I expect the salt in that will drive me upwards for a couple days. Then it will go WHOOSH and disappear. This is perfectly normal.

Best wishes for your continued health improvement!