BF % has increased with loss of 10lbs??

T_William
T_William Posts: 147 Member
edited September 24 in Health and Weight Loss
According to my scales comparing my current 243lbs to previous checked 253lbs my BMI is down from 58.7 to 56.7 my body fat weight is up from 126 to 128 and bofyfat percentage is up by 0.3%....surely something is wrong or are my scales that inaccurate?

For anyone wondering they are Weight Watchers 4-in-1 Body Analyser Scale

Replies

  • Aeriel
    Aeriel Posts: 864 Member
    A few options....scales are notoriously inaccurate for measuring BF%. Can have large variances.

    Your hydration levels have gone down, which bumps your BF% up because it can't read as well.

    You have been eating too few calories and are burning lean muscle rather than fat as you are losing weight.
  • kimmerroze
    kimmerroze Posts: 1,330 Member
    I am nooo expert. But the only solution I see to this, IF THE SCALE IS ACTUALLY ACCURATE, is what everyone talks about.

    Your body is in starvation mode, its eating the muscle, instead of the fat. So that as you lose muscle, your BF% rises, because there is less of you,.

    That would explain the higher body fat % and the loss of 10lbs.

    I don't have a solution because I don't know what kind of diet you are on. But if you are eating too few calories a day. I would say that is your problem.
  • sweetheart03622
    sweetheart03622 Posts: 928 Member
    A few options....scales are notoriously inaccurate for measuring BF%. Can have large variances.

    Your hydration levels have gone down, which bumps your BF% up because it can't read as well.

    You have been eating too few calories and are burning lean muscle rather than fat as you are losing weight.

    Give it some more time, but if it stays with this trend it's probably the third one mentioned here in which case you need to eat more calories.
  • Mindful_Trent
    Mindful_Trent Posts: 3,954 Member
    I've heard that these scales are notoriously inaccurate. They may be good for general trends, but they're not the best method for estimating body fat %. You're better off getting a periodic underwater, DEXA or bodpod test if you really want to track your bodyfat %. Or, go to someone who is trained in using calipers (them knowing how to do it accurately is key!).
  • Aeriel
    Aeriel Posts: 864 Member
    Just looked at your diary....there are many days that you are under 1500 calories, and several in the last few weeks where you are under 1000 calories. Men are not supposed to go under 1500 calories or risk hitting starvation mode. Eat your recommended calories that MFP suggests and I bet your ratio will change and you will lose weight faster. However, depending on how long you have been eating like that, you might see a week or two with a slight gain as your body adjusts.
  • T_William
    T_William Posts: 147 Member
    My diary is completely open if you wish to look, there are the odd few days my calorie seems low after exercise but its rare i'm low enough for any starvation. I do feel more energetic and im performing far better on workouts then I used to, completing more press-ups etc on cardio workouts and sweating less so I dont think muscle burn if an issue, ive noticed my spare tyre at the sides has near completely gone and a fair bit off my belly (old tshirts and shirts actually fit again).


    It may well be my previous measurement was of the morning and this one ive just taken (10.30pm) :P *silly me*
  • smurfcore
    smurfcore Posts: 5
    Couple thoughts (in order of importance):

    1) First and foremost, I'd blame the scale. If you are measuring under identical conditions each time (ie: first thing in the morning before eating, without having exercised in 12 hours, after using the restroom, etc.) you should get similar readings that can help you map trends, but scales have a huge margin for error. (Mine, for example, has me at 21.5%, while I am 15.1% by hydrostatic weighing.)

    2) Are you strength training? That, more than how many calories you are eating, is what is going to influence how much lean muscle mass you are retaining through the loss process. If you aren't strength training, you are going to lose a higher percentage of weight from lean muscle.

    3) Are you getting at least .7 grams per pound of bodyweight of protein in your diet per day? Most people do, but it's worth a check just in case.

    4) Are you taking in a protein-and-carb snack int he 45 minutes after working out? Just something simple like a glass of skim milk and a fruit (some folks swear by chocolate milk)- getting a little protein in- doesn't have to be a ton- after workout out can have a muscle-sparing effect.

    BUT....

    5) It's probably your scale.
  • smurfcore
    smurfcore Posts: 5
    I just saw your update that one was taken in the morning and one at 10PM. Look no further. That's what it is. Measure again at the same time and under the same conditions and you'll see something more in line, do doubt.
  • barefootbeautiful
    barefootbeautiful Posts: 144
    I agree with some of the earlier posts. 1) Scales are highly inaccurate; if you want absolute accuracy, go for a DEXA scan - it's only about $45 here. 2) If for some reason it is accurate, then you are losing lean mass. I noticed when you were well under calories on your food log that the loss seemed to be mainly protein. If you aren't getting your protein, you can't retain lean muscle. I've learned this the hard way - I strength train religiously, but started cutting calories (and protein) and lost 2% of my lean muscle mass in a month! It sucked - gonna take me twice that to gain it back. So if you have to cut calories, cut carbs, but make sure that your protein is at or above your goal every day. As long as it's lean protein, you won't gain the fat.
  • T_William
    T_William Posts: 147 Member
    ive been doing cardio work not strength stuff but im looking at local gyms as we speak (asked a few mates and an old school friend who now works in a gym lol earlier today). I will also update with what it reads in the morning!
  • barefootbeautiful
    barefootbeautiful Posts: 144
    If you are looking to strength train, might I recommend Russian Kettlebells? It's not only incredible for building muscle mass, but you'll get a cardio workout as well.
  • Black_Swan
    Black_Swan Posts: 770 Member
    I read these scales are really inaccurate and its hard to measure yourself every time with same conditions, so Id not panic about it.
  • T_William
    T_William Posts: 147 Member
    Well this morning I checked, 241,5lbs.

    Bodyfat 118.3lbs :)
    BF still at 49%
This discussion has been closed.

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