IF everyone tracked body fat instead

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Replies

  • InnerFatGirl
    InnerFatGirl Posts: 2,687 Member
    I don't exercise, so I doubt I'd see that much change in my body fat. I like the scale.
  • Dave198lbs
    Dave198lbs Posts: 8,810 Member
    I don't exercise, so I doubt I'd see that much change in my body fat. I like the scale.

    I hope you will soon take the time and learn how your body loses weight including body fat. You are so young that you will have an advantage for a long time to come.

    . Controlling our weight will be something most of us do for the rest of our lives. Learning how our bodies work makes it more interesting and sustainable.

    good luck
  • Dave198lbs
    Dave198lbs Posts: 8,810 Member
    I don't exercise, so I doubt I'd see that much change in my body fat. I like the scale.

    Okay lets follow the logic. If you weigh less(from what the scale tell you) and your body fat i the same... what does that mean?

    be nice Pu...she is only 19
  • nexangelus
    nexangelus Posts: 2,080 Member

    For me, tracking body fat is a much better motivator than that arbitrary number on the scale.

    Me too. It is more healthy in a lot of ways also, less obsessive as you do it once a month or so...not everyone prefers this method of measuring success though. Some of us do, to each their own, old methods die hard I guess.
  • Jaulen
    Jaulen Posts: 468 Member
    Agree fully.

    Personally, while we have to track weight on here, I'm much more concerned with blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, body fat %, and my measurements.

    Goal is to get my bp back into the 90s/60s, blood sugar is still low normal so okay there, cholesterol is still in normal range (<170) but I'd like to be back in the 140's (my good to bad ratio is always great, and triglycerides are always great), and body fat to around 22% (lots of work to do there). Weight and measurements will take care of themselves as I lose body fat.
  • TIDDYBEAR
    TIDDYBEAR Posts: 63 Member
    Is the "bod pod" as bad as the charts that they give you to measure? The charts give absolutely NO ACCOUNT for your frame size!! All it asks for is your height, sex and weight. I pay no attention to it!
  • LoveAlwaysAlisa
    LoveAlwaysAlisa Posts: 111 Member
    my scale checks body fat, water %..etc...and tracks it all while i'm losing weight...I also measure as well ..I would recommend a scale like this

    P.S. if you're not losing body fat......you're losing muscle....NOT GOOD.
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,149 Member
    Stupid question, but where do you people go to get these bod pod tests? Gym? Nearest university? Doctor's office? Hobo behind KFC?
  • athensguy
    athensguy Posts: 550
    The main difference between tracking body mass and body fat mass is that body mass can be accurately measured.
  • Dave198lbs
    Dave198lbs Posts: 8,810 Member
    Stupid question, but where do you people go to get these bod pod tests? Gym? Nearest university? Doctor's office? Hobo behind KFC?

    while I am not pushing the bod pod as the only method to measure BF%, you can google bod pod and then there is a locator which shows the nearest location nearest you
  • beduffbrickie
    beduffbrickie Posts: 642 Member
    I say let the blind lead the blind, I have always focused on body fat percentage, I have no idea why people who want to lose weight would want to lose anything other than fat.
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,149 Member
    Stupid question, but where do you people go to get these bod pod tests? Gym? Nearest university? Doctor's office? Hobo behind KFC?

    while I am not pushing the bod pod as the only method to measure BF%, you can google bod pod and then there is a locator which shows the nearest location nearest you

    Apparently, there are no bod pods in Canada, which is why I asked. Surprising since the local university has a kinesiology department.

    I go with a scale and what online calculators tell me. It's the best I can do atm.
  • redheadmommy
    redheadmommy Posts: 908 Member
    Of course it would make more sense to measure body fat instead of weight, but that is not that easy.
    Scale or handheld body fat % measurement devices quit inaccurate. Calipers really only good if a very experience person using it, plus they only good if you are already close to normal weight. Many people start their journey when they are obese or morbidly obese and calipers can not handle that accurately.

    Bod Bod devices are not that common. I live a larger city of 1 million people , and the whole city only has 1 Bodpod , and it is owned by a specific research lab by the university, and you they do not commercially use it. I sign up to participate in a research once, but right now I do not fit the criteria of their research participation , and they won;t let me participate.
    There is 2 dexa machines in my city, one again owned by the university and can not be used commercially. The other is available for use for $100 an occasion.
    That is a LOT of money, most people can not afford to go there and get measured every 4-6 weeks.
    Not to mention many people may live in smaller cities or rural areas, where such machines are not even available.
  • Dave198lbs
    Dave198lbs Posts: 8,810 Member

    That is a LOT of money, most people can not afford to go there and get measured every 4-6 weeks.
    Not to mention many people may live in smaller cities or rural areas, where such machines are not even available.

    there is no need to test it that often...that is why the original post mentioned learning patience.

    Also, I am not pushing one method over another. learning how to properly use a $10 pair of calipers can also be beneficial
  • mockchoc
    mockchoc Posts: 6,573 Member
    Bump because mine isn't dropping fast enough.
  • Mcmilligen
    Mcmilligen Posts: 332 Member
    I completely agree. Taking pictures is really the best way (imo) to see a difference, especially for someone like me who gains muscle in the thighs super easily.
    Even if you're gaining on the scale AND your clothes are tight, don't lose hope. There were times I could see WAY more definition in my body through pictures even though my pants were tight and my shirts were tight (around the shoulders) due to strength training. Take pictures and eventually, I think the BodPod is a fantastic tool. I would love to find one in my area.
  • redheadmommy
    redheadmommy Posts: 908 Member
    there is no need to test it that often...that is why the original post mentioned learning patience.

    Also, I am not pushing one method over another. learning how to properly use a $10 pair of calipers can also be beneficial
    Most people who complain about scale not moving doing it for the short run , because they have not seen any progress within 1-2 month. It is really discouraging.
    Again caliper only works when somebody reached close to normal weight. Lots of people around here start with a state that considered morbidly obese and have like 50-60% BF. You can not use calipers for that.
    Scale is a good proxy at the early stage. Especially because somebody really obese won't develop that much muscle anyway. If they maintain their muscle mass , while losing the chubb that is a great
  • VelociMama
    VelociMama Posts: 3,119 Member
    I agree. I had a DEXA scan done every 6 months during my losing period, and it was just fantastic. 42 lb drop in weight came to a drop in body fat from 46% to 27%, which was even better.

    I am a big fan of focusing on other things too like general fitness. Having some fitness goals doing whatever it is you like to do and pushing yourself to achieve those goals is far more rewarding than relying on the scale also.
  • SpinShot
    SpinShot Posts: 8
    I use callipers and an online calculator. Cheapest method possible and the results always seem to be accurate.

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