BF% way off

larsensue
larsensue Posts: 461 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I am 42 yrs old, 5'4" and 141.3lbs in a size 28 pant (Canadian) (trying to get back to 120lbs but keep losing and gaining the same 4 lbs since January) I am extremely frustrated!!! I just bought a new scale that measures BF% so I could track it at home rather than paying to get an analysis every 3 months. I had my BF% analyzed in January and the print out I got said it was at 18.8%. today my scale said 27.6%. How can I go from 18.8% to 27.6% in less than 3 months and be doing MORE exercise? HELP!!

Replies

  • larsensue
    larsensue Posts: 461 Member
    anyone??
  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    All I can say is that it is probably inaccurate. You could use this :

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/750920-spreadsheet-for-bmr-tdee-deficit-macro-calcs-hrm-zones

    It's a spreadsheet that asks you to input measurements, weight, height, and age. It then figures out your body fat % according to 2 different methods and averages the two numbers to try and give you a more accurate number.

    edit: I plugged your information into the spreadsheet I have, for you to maintain your LBM you'd have get down to around 10% BF. Which takes longer than just losing weight in general from what I understand. If you just work on losing weight, you will probably lose LBM (this includes muscle) and keep around the same BF% if not an increase.
  • srk369
    srk369 Posts: 256 Member
    From what I've read those scales can be very inaccurate but that you should watch the trend...up or down. I recently had my bf% checked by bod pod test and mine actually matches my scale. I've read that different body shapes can measure different on the scales since it goes upwards through the feet. I wouldn't rely on it, just use it to monitor up/down movement. Also, always measure the same time of day so your hydration level is approximately the same.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Those scales can be pretty inaccurate...they often confuse water with fat.

    Also, if you're really at 18% BF why are you trying to lose weight? Especially that much weight?
  • srk369
    srk369 Posts: 256 Member
    I just want to point out that if you are that low of bf% and keep your current lean body mass, you would have to get down under 10% bf to get to 120 lbs?? I would be estatic with 18%. My current goal is 25%.

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