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Understanding my BF%

newbeetler
Posts: 197 Member
Good morning all,
I got an Omron set of scales a couple of months ago which also has the hand and feet attachements to measure BF%.
Now the strange thing is that in the last 2 months my weight has kind of yoyo'd. Although I am lighter than I was 2 months ago which I am not worried about but the BF% does some strange things.
When I started I was 13st 5lbs and BF% of 31.5%.
I measure every Sunday morning fresh out of bed so same time and same place.
My Weight and BF% are as follows weekly -
13st 2lbs 31.50%
13st 2lbs 31.30%
13st 1lb 31.10%
13st 2lbs 30.40%
13st 1lb 30.70%
12st 12lb 31.20%
13st 3lbs 30.30%
As you can see quite consistent readings. I can understand why when the weight goes up the BF% goes down because of the lean muscle as I also work out in the gym twice a week. Weights and cardio.
But why when my weight goes down does my BF% go up? Is it the opposite effect that the weight loss is because I am burning lean muscle instead of fat? And if so how do I prevent this? Am I not getting enough protein maybe? I am 5ft 7ins and male to fill in the other gaps of my body make up.
Thanks All.
I got an Omron set of scales a couple of months ago which also has the hand and feet attachements to measure BF%.
Now the strange thing is that in the last 2 months my weight has kind of yoyo'd. Although I am lighter than I was 2 months ago which I am not worried about but the BF% does some strange things.
When I started I was 13st 5lbs and BF% of 31.5%.
I measure every Sunday morning fresh out of bed so same time and same place.
My Weight and BF% are as follows weekly -
13st 2lbs 31.50%
13st 2lbs 31.30%
13st 1lb 31.10%
13st 2lbs 30.40%
13st 1lb 30.70%
12st 12lb 31.20%
13st 3lbs 30.30%
As you can see quite consistent readings. I can understand why when the weight goes up the BF% goes down because of the lean muscle as I also work out in the gym twice a week. Weights and cardio.
But why when my weight goes down does my BF% go up? Is it the opposite effect that the weight loss is because I am burning lean muscle instead of fat? And if so how do I prevent this? Am I not getting enough protein maybe? I am 5ft 7ins and male to fill in the other gaps of my body make up.
Thanks All.
0
Replies
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Keep in mind those scales are not 100% accurate. You can probably take 2 readings, one after the other and get 2 different results. They just give you a general idea of your bf%. I don't think it's anywhere near 100%.
I would just keep doing what you're doing and try not to worry too much about it. Maybe check your percentages once every other month or so. It will take a while to see real results.
Good luck!0 -
Simple, ignore whatever it tells you.
My reading on my scales day one was 36.5%
Next day I was 24.5% and I am consistently bouncing around at that level. Ignore the number or it will drive you crazy.0 -
i was also told that BF% measuring scales arent very accurate, and can fluctuate a lot depending on how well hydrated you are.
I measure my bf% once a week, and i have found it can fluctuate a lot week to week, which may have something to do with the fridays i have had a few alcoholc beverages compared to those when i havent...!! apparently its best to do it in the middle of the afternoon!0 -
Interesting.
Thanks for the reply's.
I agree they are not 100% accurate. I have seen them as low as 29%.
Just wanted a rough Idea to try and see that I am going in the right direction.
My diet has been shocking at times as time is something of a premium to me with twin girls. But I am dealing with that.
The weight loss seems to be going in the right direction even if it is a bit slow (Read still too many take-aways) so I will use it as a rough guide and not get too hung up on it.
Strange thing is I take 3 readings of BF% to see the accuracy and it always come out the same as the first reading. Was going to take an average due to the inaccuracy but so far I have not had to work out an average as it always reads the same.
Cheers for the feed back0 -
Simple, ignore whatever it tells you.
^ This.0 -
^
Thank you0
This discussion has been closed.
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