Scale says I'm gaining body fat % every time I weigh

HeatherYvette78
HeatherYvette78 Posts: 8 Member
edited November 8 in Health and Weight Loss
Hey all. I recently bought an Aria scale to sync with my Fitbit and Fitness Pal apps. I had already successfully lost 5 lbs at that point. The first measurement of body fat % seemed high to me- I am 5'9", was at 152 lbs and apparently 31% body fat. Now according to the charts that is borderline obese (in a skinny fat way.) I was slightly horrified but thought, well it's good to know so I can stay motivated and get leaner, right? Since then I have kept my diet within a reasonable range for losing weight slowly (around 1800 gross/ 1300 net calories per day), I lift weights every second day and run at least three times per week (either 2 or 3 miles depending on weather.) The weights I added into my routine AFTER getting the scale. So now my weight has gone up 2 lbs, which I expected with a new routine...but the thing that concerns me is that the body fat % keeps creeping up and up and up. Today it tells me I am at 34% body fat?? I mean, is that even possible? Why is that number increasing steadily as soon as I started lifting? It's been 3 weeks now and it keeps creeping up. Any insight would be appreciated!

Replies

  • happyfeetrebel1
    happyfeetrebel1 Posts: 1,005 Member
    I don't have info about why it would be going up, but according to all the research I've done (because I wanted to buy a scale like that) they are simply not accurate at ALL

    Even the best of them, gets horrible ratings :(
  • bwogilvie
    bwogilvie Posts: 2,130 Member
    Those scales are notoriously inaccurate. The body fat percentage varies depending on hydration, bowel contents, and time of day (since the impedance is measured from foot to foot, as liquids shift in your body, the percent will vary).

    With my Withings scale, the body fat percentage can vary by up to 3% within the same day! I look at the trend, which Withings calculates; I've seen my average drop from over 30% when I got the scale to around 16.7% right now. I'm not sure that the absolute number is accurate, but it's the trend that interests me most.

    I wouldn't worry about the absolute number, but pay attention to the trend. I don't know whether Aria scales calculate that, but you can eyeball it by looking at the graph over the long term.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    Can someone explain how a scale can tell you how much body fat you have??
  • SmartAlec03211988
    SmartAlec03211988 Posts: 1,896 Member
    christinev297 wrote: »
    Can someone explain how a scale can tell you how much body fat you have??
    In short: They can't, lol.

  • amandabullock120
    amandabullock120 Posts: 110 Member
    Read this! From UC Berkeley

    http://www.berkeleywellness.com/healthy-eating/diet-weight-loss/article/body-fat-scales-step-right
  • Solar_Cat
    Solar_Cat Posts: 188 Member
    HeatherYvette78 wrote: »
    Hey all. I recently bought an Aria scale to sync with my Fitbit and Fitness Pal apps. I had already successfully lost 5 lbs at that point. The first measurement of body fat % seemed high to me- I am 5'9", was at 152 lbs and apparently 31% body fat. Now according to the charts that is borderline obese (in a skinny fat way.) I was slightly horrified but thought, well it's good to know so I can stay motivated and get leaner, right? Since then I have kept my diet within a reasonable range for losing weight slowly (around 1800 gross/ 1300 net calories per day), I lift weights every second day and run at least three times per week (either 2 or 3 miles depending on weather.) The weights I added into my routine AFTER getting the scale. So now my weight has gone up 2 lbs, which I expected with a new routine...but the thing that concerns me is that the body fat % keeps creeping up and up and up. Today it tells me I am at 34% body fat?? I mean, is that even possible? Why is that number increasing steadily as soon as I started lifting? It's been 3 weeks now and it keeps creeping up. Any insight would be appreciated!
    As far as I'm concerned, my bioimpedance scale is totally worthless, except for weight. When my feet are dry, it can read as high as 60%. When they're wet, it's anywhere from 22% to 30%. Even the trend isn't right. Going by skinfold calipers, I've dropped from 24% to 19% so far. The scale, under the most consistent conditions I can manage, has stayed mostly in the 22% - 24% range the entire time. Worthless.

    You can get a very good quality skinfold caliper for around $15 - $20. (Skip the $10 ones.) Use the video instructions and the calculator on this page - http://scoobysworkshop.com/body-fat-calculator/. Much more accurate!
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    SmartAlec03211988 wrote: »
    christinev297 wrote: »
    Can someone explain how a scale can tell you how much body fat you have??
    In short: They can't, lol.
    Yep, this. Those scales aren't accurate and are routinely off by 10% or so either way. Also, if you step on the scale, then step off, drink a glass of water, and step on again, it'll give you a different result. Same thing if you wet the bottom of your feet first.
  • Solar_Cat
    Solar_Cat Posts: 188 Member
    SmartAlec03211988 wrote: »
    christinev297 wrote: »
    Can someone explain how a scale can tell you how much body fat you have??
    In short: They can't, lol.
    Right. The can't, and yet they claim to. They're not just scales. They have built-in bioimpedance monitors that run a tiny electric current through your body, usually via two footpads, and analyzes the result.
  • Solar_Cat
    Solar_Cat Posts: 188 Member
    This is the skinfold caliper I bought after some fairly extensive research, fwiw. Reviews say it's nearly comparable in accuracy to metal ones costing hundreds.

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NN9SDO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00
  • TimothyFish
    TimothyFish Posts: 4,925 Member
    If you started lifting, you are probably retaining water. That could affect the results, since water conducts electricity.
  • HeatherYvette78
    HeatherYvette78 Posts: 8 Member
    These replies actually make me feel much better, thanks everyone! Solar Cat- I will definitely look into the skinfold calipers as well. I didn't realize that the scale measured retained water as part of my body fat %....given the fact that I can retain 3 lbs worth of water after a good workout, the increase makes all kinds of sense!
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