Body Water Percentages???

lincs_lass

Does anyone know what percentage should be water in your body? I have a body fat monitor which tell me fat, muscle and water percentages, this week I've actually lost weight for the first time in ages, my fat has gone down, muscle up which is great and what i'm looking for but the water percentage has gone up??? I thought it was to do with the fat as it contains water so assumed it would go down with the fat? anyone any ideas of how to get it down and what it should actually be? Thanks

james6998

Retaining water is the only thing you would even have to look at. Your body knows what its doing when it comes to water. If you keep your sodium down and your water drinking up. The body will retain extra water when you have sore muscles along with a variety of things. Important thing to remember is. Drink water, lose water and your body takes care of the balance. You might find http://chemistry.about.com/od/waterchemistry/f/How-Much-Of-Your-Body-Is-Water.htm interesting to read.

lincs_lass

I did do a ton of gardening yesterday and am sore today so maybe that's it, thank you! i will check the link out too

WaterBunnie

There's little point monitoring water. You don't want to be dehydrating yourself prior to weighs like they reportedly do on Biggest Loser!

MinnieInMaine

Actually, fat contains very little water, which has something to do with how those machines work. When they send the signal through your body, the parts with little water slow the signal and it roughly calculates the percentage of fat tissue vs the rest of the more watery tissues (muscles, organs).

They are extremely inaccurate...but still an ok tool to use as long as you're using them correctly and consistently. Try to use the scale at roughly the same time of day and after having gone without food and water for at least 2 hours (4 is better). First thing in the morning would be easiest since you've already fasted.