Body Fat Percentage

amakayg
amakayg Posts: 172 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Is it possible to lose 7% body fat in one month? My scale doesn't tell me skeletal muscle % but I do have access to a scale that does and will use it tomorrow. I've only lost 5 lb. this month but I am smaller so I'm assuming it's muscle gain.

Replies

  • mike_ny
    mike_ny Posts: 351 Member
    One month? It sounds more like a hydration issue. Body fat scales are very sensitive to changes in body hydration. Measurements will vary throughout the same day just on that alone. When I get back from a trip including air travel, my body fat can read 4-5% low due to hydration, eating more salt while away, and dietary changes. My weight also goes up a few pounds or more. Within a week, all is back to or very close to where it was before I left.

    It's a good idea to verify the scale calculated number with a quick caliper reading and by just using a mirror and comparing yourself to pictures of people at confirmed body fat levels. The mirror should be the most accurate if you can judge yourself honestly.
  • AllOutof_Bubblegum
    AllOutof_Bubblegum Posts: 3,646 Member
    Is it possible to lose 7% body fat in one month? My scale doesn't tell me skeletal muscle % but I do have access to a scale that does and will use it tomorrow. I've only lost 5 lb. this month but I am smaller so I'm assuming it's muscle gain.

    It's not muscle gain. You can't build muscle on a deficit.
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  • amakayg
    amakayg Posts: 172 Member
    I've weighed myself with it a few times the last two days on it and it's been the same.
  • amakayg
    amakayg Posts: 172 Member
    Noob?
  • AvonBell
    AvonBell Posts: 107 Member
    There's no accurate way to measure body fat. Seven percent is probably well within the error of margin.
  • amakayg
    amakayg Posts: 172 Member
    Is it possible to lose 7% body fat in one month? My scale doesn't tell me skeletal muscle % but I do have access to a scale that does and will use it tomorrow. I've only lost 5 lb. this month but I am smaller so I'm assuming it's muscle gain.

    It's not muscle gain. You can't build muscle on a deficit.


    I know it's possible to lose weight and gain muscle at the same time. I lost 4% fat and gained 3% muscle while losing 5 lb. in one month (that was two months ago). I just thought 7% fat loss seemed a little much for one month.
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  • rosebette
    rosebette Posts: 1,659 Member
    When I was in a weight loss program at m workplace and we were doing monthly check-ins, the guys were losing incredible amounts of body fat, sometimes even if they weren't losing that much weight. This was especially true of young males. We women were all jealous.
  • japaneseboy
    japaneseboy Posts: 26 Member
    I've lost 6% in one month by losing 1 kg per week. went from 84 kg (21%) to 80 kg (15%). I used measuring tape as well as 3-fold and 7-fold caliper readings.

    I'm sure more is possible though it obviously depends on your weight.
  • Morgaath
    Morgaath Posts: 679 Member
    You are 150ish lbs...so 7% = 1.5*7 = 10.5lbs
    Did you lose anything like 10lbs last month?

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