Why I hate Body Fat Percentage!
Replies
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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
-
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 -
My issue with body fat is that it is so difficult to measure properly. I know when I step on my Tanita scale, depending on time of day and what I've eaten and how much I have exercised, it can be anywhere from 19-23%. If I use the various tape measure techniques, I actually get in the 16-17% range, which I know cannot be accurate, since I am just not that lean. Years ago (in my mid-20s) I was measured with calipers and think that I got somewhere around 20%. Comparing myself to photos, I would estimate my body fat to be around 20-22%. I know that water testing or "BodPod" type scans promise to be better at pinpointing an actual number, but they aren't something you can really do on a regular basis to measure progress.
Sigh.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"
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.
LOL0 -
My issue with body fat is that it is so difficult to measure properly. I know when I step on my Tanita scale, depending on time of day and what I've eaten and how much I have exercised, it can be anywhere from 19-23%. If I use the various tape measure techniques, I actually get in the 16-17% range, which I know cannot be accurate, since I am just not that lean. Years ago (in my mid-20s) I was measured with calipers and think that I got somewhere around 20%. Comparing myself to photos, I would estimate my body fat to be around 20-22%. I know that water testing or "BodPod" type scans promise to be better at pinpointing an actual number, but they aren't something you can really do on a regular basis to measure progress.
Sigh.
Right. Like the original poster said, go with a combination of multiple points of reference so a single number isn't the hinge point for your feelings of success.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"
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.
well the good news is, should such a tragedy befall you, there is an ease fix for that.
congrats on being the first male i've head say on MFP that they were affraid of looking too muscular0 -
My issue with body fat is that it is so difficult to measure properly. I know when I step on my Tanita scale, depending on time of day and what I've eaten and how much I have exercised, it can be anywhere from 19-23%. If I use the various tape measure techniques, I actually get in the 16-17% range, which I know cannot be accurate, since I am just not that lean. Years ago (in my mid-20s) I was measured with calipers and think that I got somewhere around 20%. Comparing myself to photos, I would estimate my body fat to be around 20-22%. I know that water testing or "BodPod" type scans promise to be better at pinpointing an actual number, but they aren't something you can really do on a regular basis to measure progress.
Sigh.
I do water testing twice a year. Check around. It'll put your mind at rest and help you calibrate your other measuring devices.0
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