Why I hate Body Fat Percentage!
Replies
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I had a BF analysis not to long ago and it came it at 15.5% This seems about right since I am seeing some increased ab and over all muscle definition. I did it more out of curiosity and as a tool to help guide me in on my fitness journey. I turned 40 and was getting all kinds of other general health tests done like cholesterol, etc...so I just thought it would be good to know.
Was it 100% accurate...not sure...but it was good to see what it came out to be. The trainer did a 7 point test with calipers 3 different times, then took the average. I wouldn't mind doing it again in the next few months...I would be curious if it decreases as I up my strength training, or possibly increase depending on other circumstances.
OP you make some great points, as always. If someone wants to get an analysis completed, do it with a reputable trainer that knows what they are doing and use it as a guide. Just like we use the scale, our clothes, our cholesterol levels, etc....I think it can be useless information for everyone. Not necessary, but useful.0 -
Interesting- I know that for me, I have lost maybe 1 lb over the past few months, but with checkins at my gym (having a professional measure body fat with calipers), I have dropped almost 10 % body fat. I am stronger, in good cardio shape, look much smaller, and have dropped a clothing size. And basically have lost no weight.
Seriously? I understand the scale number thing...but really 1 pound makes such difference? I am not doubting your words but it's just too good to be true...
I mean, I would LOVE it if my scale was wrong! But I weight myself once a week, same time of day....and yeah. The difference has really been the body fat for me (I upped my lifting game) anad it is definitely visible. I put on a dress yesterday with short sleeves (which were like a little too tight last year), and it fit perfectly. The shirts that I have purchased recently haven been smalls and extra smalls (except for Theory- why do they run so small!?), the dresses and skirts have all been smalls. They would have all been mediums last summer.
Wasn't it "I Lift Heavy Acrylics" who did a year recomp - maintenance + heavy lifting. 134 to 134 lbs and the difference is breath-taking.
I have figure out my body recomp diet. Now I want to try to push for a little bit more fat lost and still get stronger. That is a perfect diet needed for that.0 -
very interesting read about how much muscle one can expect to naturally build (with out steroids, HGH, etc) till they reach thier genetic limitNOTE: All the formulas to arrive at your maximum muscle potential in this article are based on natural male bodybuilders who are extremely dedicated individuals and have lifted for oftentimes 10+ years.
http://www.builtlean.com/2011/03/30/how-much-muscle-can-you-gain-naturally/
How close are the men's numbers to women, in your opinion?
I ran mine and I think over a lifetime of lifting it is fairly close. I'm about two solid years in with about 133 pounds lean mass and it says my max is about 158.
That's what I was thinking. I'm at about 129 pounds of lbm (hydrostatic assessment)and I'm hoping to get to 133 with a 12 week bulk this winter. Of course, my bf is and will be way higher than yours - you look awesome!
Thank you! My body fat is higher now than in the picture. I'm trying to gain. One thing to remember when gaining is that just like fat loss, lean gains are not linear. (Note: These are all approximates based on a wide variety of data) I gained 3 pounds of lean mass in my first 8 week coming off a strict diet. I gained 1 pound of lean mass the next 8 weeks and half a pound in the next 8 weeks. I'm going in for another weigh in next week.
I just tried and failed at a 12 week bulk. I'd go up a couple of pounds and then drift back to where I was. 4 1/2 pounds of lean mass is completely awesome, especially with your base.
Consistently overeating is WAY harder than people think it is. I think more people eat at maintenance and then gain through binges than consistently adding too much to their plate
I have no problem eating. I gain more fat than I should because I can eat. I will have to go through lots of mini cuts. I do think a lot of people just fear eating if they've been fat before. They call it the former fat boy syndrome. Sometimes it's more successful (although seemingly very slow) to just try to recomposition.
http://www.jcdfitness.com/2009/10/the-former-fat-boy-syndrome/
I think you hit the nail on the head...yes, I am afraid of being fat-ter than now since I have been struggling all my life to be thinner but never succeeded...I am afraid if I eat, I will end up bigger
I think this is why most people - especially women - should try a bulk at some point during their life. Actively working to build and feed muscles by overeating and getting slightly fatter completely changes your relationship to your body and the world of food. Even though I failed, things make a lot more sense to me and I feel like I've "fat-proofed" myself for the future.
The minute I had to choose to eat a bag of Doritos, not as a treat but at a requirement to meet my calorie goals, I gained a huge sense of perspective about palatability and the meaning of food in my life.0 -
How myopic.
When you're only talking a percent or two either way, no BF% isn't really a great way to track progress. When you get down to a certain BF%, it becomes easier to track your progress by how you feel because you're close to your goal. This is a sort of "fine tuning" mode and BF% isn't accurate enough (nor does it change in small enough measurable increments) to measure these small progress markers and the eye and your clothes do become a better gauge. Likewise, worrying about muscle loss isn't a big problem for people in your condition and may only be losing/gaining 10lbs at a time, but it is a major concern for people who start significantly overweight and have a lot of pounds to lose.
When you have a significant amount of fat to lose BF% is a very useful number. Generally the inaccuracy will be the same for each measurement, so you aren't necessarily going to be able to measure your exact BF% at any given time but you will be able to track your progress from one month to the next with fairly good accuracy. Furthermore, it's better to have a goal BF% than a goal weight when you start out heavy. Not everyone looks the same at every BF% but it is a much better predictor for appearance than weight is and when you're far away from your goal (and maybe have never even been there before) it's impossible to know what you'll look at any given goal weight.
Just because something isn't relevant for your particular situation, Mr.SixPackProfilePicture, doesn't mean it's not relevant for anybody else.0 -
Interesting- I know that for me, I have lost maybe 1 lb over the past few months, but with checkins at my gym (having a professional measure body fat with calipers), I have dropped almost 10 % body fat. I am stronger, in good cardio shape, look much smaller, and have dropped a clothing size. And basically have lost no weight.
Seriously? I understand the scale number thing...but really 1 pound makes such difference? I am not doubting your words but it's just too good to be true...
I mean, I would LOVE it if my scale was wrong! But I weight myself once a week, same time of day....and yeah. The difference has really been the body fat for me (I upped my lifting game) anad it is definitely visible. I put on a dress yesterday with short sleeves (which were like a little too tight last year), and it fit perfectly. The shirts that I have purchased recently haven been smalls and extra smalls (except for Theory- why do they run so small!?), the dresses and skirts have all been smalls. They would have all been mediums last summer.
Wasn't it "I Lift Heavy Acrylics" who did a year recomp - maintenance + heavy lifting. 134 to 134 lbs and the difference is breath-taking.
I have figure out my body recomp diet. Now I want to try to push for a little bit more fat lost and still get stronger. That is a perfect diet needed for that.
I gained 2.5 pounds of muscle and lost 2.5 pounds of fat in 12 weeks, which is pathetic but still....
I was underestimating my exercise but, retrospectively, I was probably eating about 150 calories over maintenance most days, and undereating slightly during higher activity days. I'd go up a pound or two and then slide back down, then go up a pound or two and slide back down.
Bulking and cutting would provide more efficient muscle gains/fat loss over the same period of time.0 -
I do believe that more people need to let the mirror be their guide. It amazes me how many people spout off obviously incorrect bodyfat measurements, all because of faulty methods. Or the people who get to some arbitrary goal weight and scream "WHY DO I STILL HAVE SO MUCH FAT?!?".
Above all weight tracking methods, let your mirror be the guide. You'll have reached a reasonable goal when you like what's staring back at you, at least somewhat.0 -
I do believe that more people need to let the mirror be their guide. It amazes me how many people spout off obviously incorrect bodyfat measurements, all because of faulty methods. Or the people who get to some arbitrary goal weight and scream "WHY DO I STILL HAVE SO MUCH FAT?!?".
Above all weight tracking methods, let your mirror be the guide. You'll have reached a reasonable goal when you like what's staring back at you, at least somewhat.
It is hard to see mirror progress. That is if you step into the bathroom everyday. I have been using photos progress instead.0 -
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No kidding, that's why we have trend lines... :laugh:
I weigh in every day at the same time and about the same hydration level. I'm a satisfied customer of body fat %.0 -
Interesting- I know that for me, I have lost maybe 1 lb over the past few months, but with checkins at my gym (having a professional measure body fat with calipers), I have dropped almost 10 % body fat. I am stronger, in good cardio shape, look much smaller, and have dropped a clothing size. And basically have lost no weight.
Seriously? I understand the scale number thing...but really 1 pound makes such difference? I am not doubting your words but it's just too good to be true...
I mean, I would LOVE it if my scale was wrong! But I weight myself once a week, same time of day....and yeah. The difference has really been the body fat for me (I upped my lifting game) anad it is definitely visible. I put on a dress yesterday with short sleeves (which were like a little too tight last year), and it fit perfectly. The shirts that I have purchased recently haven been smalls and extra smalls (except for Theory- why do they run so small!?), the dresses and skirts have all been smalls. They would have all been mediums last summer.
Calipers are not that accurate and they only tell you the fat under the skin you have lost .You clearly loss something though. What about the Visceral fat? Time to take a ride in the body pod for better body fat % results.
Yeah, I know they aren't the MOST accurate- but it was the same trainer doing the same spots with the same calipers plugged into the same equation (I belive 4 spots, each measured 3 times and averaged)....so I think I can at least view this as a trend, even if it isn't 100% accurate. My understanding, at least with visceral fat, was that waist to hip ratio is a big signifier of possible issues without scanning. My last measurement of waist to hip ratio was a .66 (LOW is considered under .72 for my age)- as of two months ago.
In addition, bra size has changed dramatically- from a 36 band size to a 32.
All with pretty much no weight change0 -
Using scale weight has all the possible inaccuracies and outside factors that can throw it off that goes with monitoring body fat.
However if you weigh the same way every time, then over time you can get an idea of your general weight even though it will not be exact.
What's wrong with doing the same thing with body fat percentage?
I would trade out your number 4: Scale weight with Body Fat %.
Just tracking with my scale my weight went down 1 lb but my body fat went down 4 %. I also was tracking with photos, clothing size, and measurements. But I get much more excited about losing body fat than I do about weight.
*edited to fix pictures*
Excellent example of why tracking body fat is more important than weighing. It's the only metric I do track on a regular basis, and since I use the same technique every time, I don't worry about absolute accuracy.0 -
Interesting- I know that for me, I have lost maybe 1 lb over the past few months, but with checkins at my gym (having a professional measure body fat with calipers), I have dropped almost 10 % body fat. I am stronger, in good cardio shape, look much smaller, and have dropped a clothing size. And basically have lost no weight.
Seriously? I understand the scale number thing...but really 1 pound makes such difference? I am not doubting your words but it's just too good to be true...
I mean, I would LOVE it if my scale was wrong! But I weight myself once a week, same time of day....and yeah. The difference has really been the body fat for me (I upped my lifting game) anad it is definitely visible. I put on a dress yesterday with short sleeves (which were like a little too tight last year), and it fit perfectly. The shirts that I have purchased recently haven been smalls and extra smalls (except for Theory- why do they run so small!?), the dresses and skirts have all been smalls. They would have all been mediums last summer.
Calipers are not that accurate and they only tell you the fat under the skin you have lost .You clearly loss something though. What about the Visceral fat? Time to take a ride in the body pod for better body fat % results.
Yeah, I know they aren't the MOST accurate- but it was the same trainer doing the same spots with the same calipers plugged into the same equation (I belive 4 spots, each measured 3 times and averaged)....so I think I can at least view this as a trend, even if it isn't 100% accurate. My understanding, at least with visceral fat, was that waist to hip ratio is a big signifier of possible issues without scanning. My last measurement of waist to hip ratio was a .66 (LOW is considered under .72 for my age)- as of two months ago.
In addition, bra size has changed dramatically- from a 36 band size to a 32.
All with pretty much no weight change
So then you have mastered body recomp. It is a awesome feeling. My weight loss this time is like I am barely trying and the fat is melting off. I semi count calories. Never count workout calories. I do not want to buy a cheap HRM or tool to count workout calories if you cannot input lean body mass and body fat%. For my body recomp i do not want to be in the 200s Ib with low body fat and high lean body mass. I could easily get that no problem. That is a easy diet.0 -
No kidding, that's why we have trend lines... :laugh:
I weigh in every day at the same time and about the same hydration level. I'm a satisfied customer of body fat %.
is that graph part of some tracking software? or you just plotted your results. been toying with the idea of getting the scale that wireless connects to your computer0 -
No kidding, that's why we have trend lines... :laugh:
I weigh in every day at the same time and about the same hydration level. I'm a satisfied customer of body fat %.
is that graph part of some tracking software? or you just plotted your results. been toying with the idea of getting the scale that wireless connects to your computer
I have a Withings scale (first gen model) that does it. The graph I posted came from their HealthMate website, but they have smartphone apps as well. It also syncs to MFP, but the graphs on MFP don't have trend lines so I don't bother with them.
http://vitrine.withings.com/smart-body-analyzer.html0 -
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No kidding, that's why we have trend lines... :laugh:
I weigh in every day at the same time and about the same hydration level. I'm a satisfied customer of body fat %.
is that graph part of some tracking software? or you just plotted your results. been toying with the idea of getting the scale that wireless connects to your computer
I have a Withings scale (first gen model) that does it. The graph I posted came from their HealthMate website, but they have smartphone apps as well. It also syncs to MFP, but the graphs on MFP don't have trend lines so I don't bother with them.
http://vitrine.withings.com/smart-body-analyzer.html
monthly fee for the Healthmate website?0 -
Using scale weight has all the possible inaccuracies and outside factors that can throw it off that goes with monitoring body fat.
However if you weigh the same way every time, then over time you can get an idea of your general weight even though it will not be exact.
What's wrong with doing the same thing with body fat percentage?
I would trade out your number 4: Scale weight with Body Fat %.
Just tracking with my scale my weight went down 1 lb but my body fat went down 4 %. I also was tracking with photos, clothing size, and measurements. But I get much more excited about losing body fat than I do about weight.
*edited to fix pictures*
Excellent example of why tracking body fat is more important than weighing. It's the only metric I do track on a regular basis, and since I use the same technique every time, I don't worry about absolute accuracy.
if my changes were so obvious, I would totally ditch my scale...the thing is nothing visually or mathematically changed in my case...so I feel stuck...0 -
No kidding, that's why we have trend lines... :laugh:
I weigh in every day at the same time and about the same hydration level. I'm a satisfied customer of body fat %.
is that graph part of some tracking software? or you just plotted your results. been toying with the idea of getting the scale that wireless connects to your computer
I have a Withings scale (first gen model) that does it. The graph I posted came from their HealthMate website, but they have smartphone apps as well. It also syncs to MFP, but the graphs on MFP don't have trend lines so I don't bother with them.
http://vitrine.withings.com/smart-body-analyzer.html
I'm not suggesting you should change anything you're doing since it seems to be working for you, but can't you see the trend from the data points alone? I can. Not so much on a day-to-day basis, but over the course of three or four weeks, you have a clearly visible trend, and it seems to be pretty consistent month after month.
I think a lot of people here must agree with you though. I don't think I've seen anyone talking about using MFP's graphs. Other than me, that is.0 -
Using scale weight has all the possible inaccuracies and outside factors that can throw it off that goes with monitoring body fat.
However if you weigh the same way every time, then over time you can get an idea of your general weight even though it will not be exact.
What's wrong with doing the same thing with body fat percentage?
I would trade out your number 4: Scale weight with Body Fat %.
Just tracking with my scale my weight went down 1 lb but my body fat went down 4 %. I also was tracking with photos, clothing size, and measurements. But I get much more excited about losing body fat than I do about weight.
*edited to fix pictures*
It looks like you got a tan and sucked in your abs some. Am I missing something?0 -
Using scale weight has all the possible inaccuracies and outside factors that can throw it off that goes with monitoring body fat.
However if you weigh the same way every time, then over time you can get an idea of your general weight even though it will not be exact.
What's wrong with doing the same thing with body fat percentage?
I would trade out your number 4: Scale weight with Body Fat %.
Just tracking with my scale my weight went down 1 lb but my body fat went down 4 %. I also was tracking with photos, clothing size, and measurements. But I get much more excited about losing body fat than I do about weight.
*edited to fix pictures*
It looks like you got a tan and sucked in your abs some. Am I missing something?
:huh: You might need your eyesight checked.0 -
Using scale weight has all the possible inaccuracies and outside factors that can throw it off that goes with monitoring body fat.
However if you weigh the same way every time, then over time you can get an idea of your general weight even though it will not be exact.
What's wrong with doing the same thing with body fat percentage?
I would trade out your number 4: Scale weight with Body Fat %.
Just tracking with my scale my weight went down 1 lb but my body fat went down 4 %. I also was tracking with photos, clothing size, and measurements. But I get much more excited about losing body fat than I do about weight.
*edited to fix pictures*
Excellent example of why tracking body fat is more important than weighing. It's the only metric I do track on a regular basis, and since I use the same technique every time, I don't worry about absolute accuracy.
if my changes were so obvious, I would totally ditch my scale...the thing is nothing visually or mathematically changed in my case...so I feel stuck...
If your weight, measurements, and visual appearance hasn't changed AT ALL (not Slowly. At all) then you are stuck.
Let's start with logging everything and accurate estimation of calories eaten and used.0 -
It looks like you got a tan and sucked in your abs some. Am I missing something?
Yes.0 -
It looks like you got a tan and sucked in your abs some. Am I missing something?
Yes.
lol definetly missing something, hoping he knows her and this is sarcasm0 -
It looks like you got a tan and sucked in your abs some. Am I missing something?
Yes.
lol definitely missing something, hoping he knows her and this is sarcasm
LOL. I can't take anybody who gives up their individuality when they get a pet polar bear seriously.0 -
Using scale weight has all the possible inaccuracies and outside factors that can throw it off that goes with monitoring body fat.
However if you weigh the same way every time, then over time you can get an idea of your general weight even though it will not be exact.
What's wrong with doing the same thing with body fat percentage?
I would trade out your number 4: Scale weight with Body Fat %.
Just tracking with my scale my weight went down 1 lb but my body fat went down 4 %. I also was tracking with photos, clothing size, and measurements. But I get much more excited about losing body fat than I do about weight.
*edited to fix pictures*
Excellent example of why tracking body fat is more important than weighing. It's the only metric I do track on a regular basis, and since I use the same technique every time, I don't worry about absolute accuracy.
if my changes were so obvious, I would totally ditch my scale...the thing is nothing visually or mathematically changed in my case...so I feel stuck...
If your weight, measurements, and visual appearance hasn't changed AT ALL (not Slowly. At all) then you are stuck.
Let's start with logging everything and accurate estimation of calories eaten and used.
Not joking. I'm asking honestly. Which is more likely, that the poster lost lets say 10 pounds of fat and gained 9 pounds of muscle in 6 months (just putting numbers in here for the sake of example), or due to tanning, some toning, changes in body hydration over a 6 month period, and posture changes, the after picture looks significantly different than the before picture. In the right side pic her shoulders are pulled back, and her pelvic tilt seems lessened.
I mean, good on her, because she looks a lot better in the right side picture. I'm just sayin.
Here's an example of what I'm talking about. Not claiming she's misleading us of course, but look at the differences in some of the pics on that site.
http://www.styleite.com/news/before-after-weight-loss-photo-tricks/0 -
I love body fat percentage.. it helps me not think about how I'm not a typical 5'6" 130lb woman but a beautiful 5'6" 172lb woman. It also helped me not freak out because the scale wasn't moving. To each their own really.. I would love to see more people "freak out" about BF% than "OMG WHY AM I NOT LOSING LB WEIGHT"0
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Using scale weight has all the possible inaccuracies and outside factors that can throw it off that goes with monitoring body fat.
However if you weigh the same way every time, then over time you can get an idea of your general weight even though it will not be exact.
What's wrong with doing the same thing with body fat percentage?
I would trade out your number 4: Scale weight with Body Fat %.
Just tracking with my scale my weight went down 1 lb but my body fat went down 4 %. I also was tracking with photos, clothing size, and measurements. But I get much more excited about losing body fat than I do about weight.
*edited to fix pictures*
Excellent example of why tracking body fat is more important than weighing. It's the only metric I do track on a regular basis, and since I use the same technique every time, I don't worry about absolute accuracy.
if my changes were so obvious, I would totally ditch my scale...the thing is nothing visually or mathematically changed in my case...so I feel stuck...
If your weight, measurements, and visual appearance hasn't changed AT ALL (not Slowly. At all) then you are stuck.
Let's start with logging everything and accurate estimation of calories eaten and used.
Not joking. I'm asking honestly. Which is more likely, that the poster lost lets say 10 pounds of fat and gained 9 pounds of muscle in 6 months (just putting numbers in here for the sake of example), or due to tanning, some toning, changes in body hydration over a 6 month period, and posture changes, the after picture looks significantly different than the before picture. In the right side pic her shoulders are pulled back, and her pelvic tilt seems lessened.
I mean, good on her, because she looks a lot better in the right side picture. I'm just sayin.
Here's an example of what I'm talking about. Not claiming she's misleading us of course, but look at the differences in some of the pics on that site.
http://www.styleite.com/news/before-after-weight-loss-photo-tricks/
Not to be critical of the before pictures, there is a significant difference in cellulite, toning, relative size of the thighs - as a woman, I'm running down the list of things that are trouble areas for me. The first picture has them, the second picture does not. If the after picture was taken, say two years, previous to the before picture - that would be credible. To subscribe all of those changes to hydration? Dude, not possible.0 -
Using scale weight has all the possible inaccuracies and outside factors that can throw it off that goes with monitoring body fat.
However if you weigh the same way every time, then over time you can get an idea of your general weight even though it will not be exact.
What's wrong with doing the same thing with body fat percentage?
I would trade out your number 4: Scale weight with Body Fat %.
Just tracking with my scale my weight went down 1 lb but my body fat went down 4 %. I also was tracking with photos, clothing size, and measurements. But I get much more excited about losing body fat than I do about weight.
*edited to fix pictures*
Excellent example of why tracking body fat is more important than weighing. It's the only metric I do track on a regular basis, and since I use the same technique every time, I don't worry about absolute accuracy.
if my changes were so obvious, I would totally ditch my scale...the thing is nothing visually or mathematically changed in my case...so I feel stuck...
If your weight, measurements, and visual appearance hasn't changed AT ALL (not Slowly. At all) then you are stuck.
Let's start with logging everything and accurate estimation of calories eaten and used.
Not joking. I'm asking honestly. Which is more likely, that the poster lost lets say 10 pounds of fat and gained 9 pounds of muscle in 6 months
(just putting numbers in here for the sake of example), or due to tanning, some toning, changes in body hydration over a 6 month period, and posture changes, the after picture looks significantly different than the before picture. In the right side pic her shoulders are pulled back, and her pelvic tilt seems lessened.
I mean, good on her, because she looks a lot better in the right side picture. I'm just sayin.
Here's an example of what I'm talking about. Not claiming she's misleading us of course, but look at the differences in some of the pics on that site.
http://www.styleite.com/news/before-after-weight-loss-photo-tricks/
definetly did not put on 9 lbs of muscle, with you there, but she also did not claim that0 -
I love body fat percentage.. it helps me not think about how I'm not a typical 5'6" 130lb woman but a beautiful 5'6" 172lb woman. It also helped me not freak out because the scale wasn't moving. To each their own really.. I would love to see more people "freak out" about BF% than "OMG WHY AM I NOT LOSING LB WEIGHT"
I freak out because I do not want to keep losing body fat % and still be in the 200s ib. I would look way to muscular. Apparently I already look muscular. Ha this is just the beginning.0 -
I love body fat percentage.. it helps me not think about how I'm not a typical 5'6" 130lb woman but a beautiful 5'6" 172lb woman. It also helped me not freak out because the scale wasn't moving. To each their own really.. I would love to see more people "freak out" about BF% than "OMG WHY AM I NOT LOSING LB WEIGHT"
Or fail to eat because they want to lose weight at all costs...and don't care if it's muscle, bone density, etc.0
This discussion has been closed.
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