Body Fat Percentage - Scale

mybiketrip
mybiketrip Posts: 239
edited February 5 in Health and Weight Loss
I didn't really know where to post this question or discussion so I thought maybe the general board would be ideal.

I am a cyclist and a runner (recently got back into it) and I've lost a total of 20lbs with about 10lbs to go. I figured it might be time to start ignoring the weight readings on the scale and start paying more attention to measurements and body fat percentage.

I've tried to use the crummy online formulas and those vary a ridiculous amount.

I have a BF% setting on my scale where I set my gender, age, and height and it read my BF% after the weight reading. I know BF scales aren't the most accurate and it's best to be tested for the percentage; however, measuring BF% in a clinic would be expensive over time and would end up being an expense I can't afford. I was thinking maybe it would be best to take a reading from the scale when I wake up every Monday and Thursday, keep a running chart and graph showing a trend line, and focus more on the consistency of the scale rather than the accuracy of it; I actually still have yet to know how consistent it is.

Anyways, would it be good practice to follow the trend line of the scale's outputs and base my progress on that? Any other thoughts, suggestions, or comments?

Replies

  • WhyDelilah79
    WhyDelilah79 Posts: 54 Member
    Well I certainly record mine from the scales.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,185 Member
    I didn't really know where to post this question or discussion so I thought maybe the general board would be ideal.

    I am a cyclist and a runner (recently got back into it) and I've lost a total of 20lbs with about 10lbs to go. I figured it might be time to start ignoring the weight readings on the scale and start paying more attention to measurements and body fat percentage.

    I've tried to use the crummy online formulas and those vary a ridiculous amount.

    I have a BF% setting on my scale where I set my gender, age, and height and it read my BF% after the weight reading. I know BF scales aren't the most accurate and it's best to be tested for the percentage; however, measuring BF% in a clinic would be expensive over time and would end up being an expense I can't afford. I was thinking maybe it would be best to take a reading from the scale when I wake up every Monday and Thursday, keep a running chart and graph showing a trend line, and focus more on the consistency of the scale rather than the accuracy of it; I actually still have yet to know how consistent it is.

    Anyways, would it be good practice to follow the trend line of the scale's outputs and base my progress on that? Any other thoughts, suggestions, or comments?
    The one constant you'd have to be stout on if you do this is water and sodium intake. Since the readers are bio impedance (read electrical charges from foot to foot) and variance in water in your body will greatly affect the readings. The more water you retain the "lower" your bodyfat will read and vice versa.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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