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Dilemma re body fat percentage
baybeejulia
Posts: 218 Member
So, I've been tracking my body fat using the Fitbit Aria scale for the past 3 months. In my journey, I've gone from 29%BF to 25%BF.
I recently bought SlimGuide Calipers and they brought my BF to 33.5%. I know Calipers are more accurate.
Here's the dilemma, what do I do!? Which do I use?! There's a significant difference between them! One puts me in average, and the other above average.
I recently bought SlimGuide Calipers and they brought my BF to 33.5%. I know Calipers are more accurate.
Here's the dilemma, what do I do!? Which do I use?! There's a significant difference between them! One puts me in average, and the other above average.
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Replies
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You could try taking your measurements with a tape measure and using a body fat calculator based on measurements?0
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Are calipers even that accurate.
They all seem like estimates.
I would probably go with the scale just because you have 3 months worth of data.
But have you looked at those bf% example images. Do you look like 25% or 35%?0 -
Calipers in the hands of an experienced trained person using 7-site method are more accurate, as long as the same level of hydrated body is presented to them.
You experienced and trained in using them?
Are you using 7 site method?
Not accurate, easily at best 10% accuracy, likely worse.
Which means it overlaps with the 10% accuracy of your scale too.
Alls good.
As mentioned above - use measurement method too, and then average all these 5-10% accurate methods together.
Use the spreadsheet on my profile page - Weight loss calculator.
Has Bodyfat calc that does exactly that, 2 measurement methods, place to put the scale reading, and skinfold measurements - averages them all together.
Then a Progress tab to track the progress.0 -
Calipers in the hands of an experienced trained person using 7-site method are more accurate, as long as the same level of hydrated body is presented to them.
You experienced and trained in using them?
Are you using 7 site method?
Not accurate, easily at best 10% accuracy, likely worse.
Which means it overlaps with the 10% accuracy of your scale too.
Alls good.
As mentioned above - use measurement method too, and then average all these 5-10% accurate methods together.
Use the spreadsheet on my profile page - Weight loss calculator.
Has Bodyfat calc that does exactly that, 2 measurement methods, place to put the scale reading, and skinfold measurements - averages them all together.
Then a Progress tab to track the progress.
^^^ this0 -
Either way, it sounds like you're still trying to reduce your body fat %, so I would continue along that path. At a point, I think that going off of what you see in the mirror/progress pics is more important than a number from calipers or a scale. You're doing great, so keep on going!0
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I've had a Fitbit Aria wifi scale for a couple of years, and it's very inaccurate. It sends a pulse up one leg and down the other, then guesstimates your upper body.
All that matters is a downward trend. I weigh daily and sync my Fitbit account with Trendweight.com (it's free, and syncs with Withings, too).0 -
Firefly0606 wrote: »You could try taking your measurements with a tape measure and using a body fat calculator based on measurements?
Thanks for that! I do have my measurements taken at the gym for progress purposes and I think they're good to compare along the track, like pictures.
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Are calipers even that accurate.
They all seem like estimates.
I would probably go with the scale just because you have 3 months worth of data.
But have you looked at those bf% example images. Do you look like 25% or 35%?
I might stick with the scale only cos it's easier, but I won't rely on it for accuracy lol. Just to show a loss.
Tbh I feel I like more like I'm in the 30s than the 20s.0 -
Calipers in the hands of an experienced trained person using 7-site method are more accurate, as long as the same level of hydrated body is presented to them.
You experienced and trained in using them?
Are you using 7 site method?
Not accurate, easily at best 10% accuracy, likely worse.
Which means it overlaps with the 10% accuracy of your scale too.
Alls good.
As mentioned above - use measurement method too, and then average all these 5-10% accurate methods together.
Use the spreadsheet on my profile page - Weight loss calculator.
Has Bodyfat calc that does exactly that, 2 measurement methods, place to put the scale reading, and skinfold measurements - averages them all together.
Then a Progress tab to track the progress.
That's awesome thank you. Will definitely pop over to your profile page and download that.
I guess exact body fat shouldn't really matter. You should just know whereabouts you are and aim for a downward trend.0 -
Also my husband did it for me, we did a 4 site test and we both have no experience whatsoever lol.0
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Either way, it sounds like you're still trying to reduce your body fat %, so I would continue along that path. At a point, I think that going off of what you see in the mirror/progress pics is more important than a number from calipers or a scale. You're doing great, so keep on going!
Thanks, you're right! I'll rely more on pictures and tape measurements to gauge my progress.0 -
editorgrrl wrote: »I've had a Fitbit Aria wifi scale for a couple of years, and it's very inaccurate. It sends a pulse up one leg and down the other, then guesstimates your upper body.
All that matters is a downward trend. I weigh daily and sync my Fitbit account with Trendweight.com (it's free, and syncs with Withings, too).
Yea km starting to realise how inaccurate it is lol. I use trend weight too thanks to you :-)0 -
What are you trying to accomplish?
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I would probably go with the scale just because you have 3 months worth of data.
But have you looked at those bf% example images. Do you look like 25% or 35%?
I'd go with the scales too. Making comparisons to images of others with the same body fat % unfortunately doesn't work so well because it doesn't take into account the % of lean muscle mass, water, bone mass, body composition etc.
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@Haybales, whom I respect, says 10% accuracy for the scale.
To me 10% off of a, say, 25% reading, means that in reality I could be anywhere from 22.5% to 27.5%. All kewl and useful.
But, am starting to think that in the body fat % measurement world 10% accuracy for a 25% reading means being between 15% and 35%.
Eyeballing is already way more accurate than that!
I can attest that per DXA scan the scales for me are accurate to 10% as per the second definition, and therefore useless @ 100% ;-)0 -
He means 10 %age points. So 15 to 35.
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What are you trying to accomplish?
A lean body with visible muscles.@Haybales, whom I respect, says 10% accuracy for the scale.
To me 10% off of a, say, 25% reading, means that in reality I could be anywhere from 22.5% to 27.5%. All kewl and useful.
But, am starting to think that in the body fat % measurement world 10% accuracy for a 25% reading means being between 15% and 35%.
Eyeballing is already way more accurate than that!
I can attest that per DXA scan the scales for me are accurate to 10% as per the second definition, and therefore useless @ 100% ;-)
Yes! I want a DEXA. Hopefully getting one soon.I would probably go with the scale just because you have 3 months worth of data.
But have you looked at those bf% example images. Do you look like 25% or 35%?
I'd go with the scales too. Making comparisons to images of others with the same body fat % unfortunately doesn't work so well because it doesn't take into account the % of lean muscle mass, water, bone mass, body composition etc.
Hmm, if that's the case I should be seeing some nice muscle definition coming through soon enough as I continue to lift.0 -
I would probably go with the scale just because you have 3 months worth of data.
But have you looked at those bf% example images. Do you look like 25% or 35%?
I'd go with the scales too. Making comparisons to images of others with the same body fat % unfortunately doesn't work so well because it doesn't take into account the % of lean muscle mass, water, bone mass, body composition etc.
I'll take the first one, thanks!0 -
My Aria puts my BBF% higher than what I was calculating with my measurements. Also, my hydration level can affect the Aria measurement as much as 7%. I'm just using it to show trends now. I don't trust it.
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Well I am really excited! I have booked my DEXA scan tonight and I cannot wait for my true BF% haha!0
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baybeejulia wrote: »
Then you don't need...Yes! I want a DEXA. Hopefully getting one soon.
All you need is a mirror, and a kitchen scale for your food. KISS!
PS Dexa isn't all that accurate, either.
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baybeejulia wrote: »
Then you don't need...Yes! I want a DEXA. Hopefully getting one soon.
All you need is a mirror, and a kitchen scale for your food. KISS!
PS Dexa isn't all that accurate, either.
Lol why must you kill dreams? I am sure it isn't 100% accurate, only God knows my exact BF%!
I have a mirror and a kitchen scale, they are how I've gone from (an estimated) 29.5% to 24.4% BF in the past 3 months. But tracking BF% and all that nonsense is just fun and motivating for me
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What do you do?
You keep on losing fat, that's what you do.0 -
baybeejulia wrote: »baybeejulia wrote: »
Then you don't need...Yes! I want a DEXA. Hopefully getting one soon.
All you need is a mirror, and a kitchen scale for your food. KISS!
PS Dexa isn't all that accurate, either.
Lol why must you kill dreams? I am sure it isn't 100% accurate, only God knows my exact BF%!
I have a mirror and a kitchen scale, they are how I've gone from (an estimated) 29.5% to 24.4% BF in the past 3 months. But tracking BF% and all that nonsense is just fun and motivating for me
Oh, hey, I didn't mean to be a downer. Nothing wrong with doing the BF measurement stuff, as long as its not taken too seriously - if it works for you, keep on keeping on! :drinker:
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SergeantSausage wrote: »What do you do?
You keep on losing fat, that's what you do.
Exactly!0 -
baybeejulia wrote: »baybeejulia wrote: »
Then you don't need...Yes! I want a DEXA. Hopefully getting one soon.
All you need is a mirror, and a kitchen scale for your food. KISS!
PS Dexa isn't all that accurate, either.
Lol why must you kill dreams? I am sure it isn't 100% accurate, only God knows my exact BF%!
I have a mirror and a kitchen scale, they are how I've gone from (an estimated) 29.5% to 24.4% BF in the past 3 months. But tracking BF% and all that nonsense is just fun and motivating for me
Oh, hey, I didn't mean to be a downer. Nothing wrong with doing the BF measurement stuff, as long as its not taken too seriously - if it works for you, keep on keeping on! :drinker:
Haha thanks 0 -
baybeejulia wrote: »
Lol why must you kill dreams? I am sure it isn't 100% accurate, only God knows my exact BF%!
I have a mirror and a kitchen scale, they are how I've gone from (an estimated) 29.5% to 24.4% BF in the past 3 months. But tracking BF% and all that nonsense is just fun and motivating for me
How did you do it? Weight lifting???0 -
MaggieLoo79 wrote: »baybeejulia wrote: »
Lol why must you kill dreams? I am sure it isn't 100% accurate, only God knows my exact BF%!
I have a mirror and a kitchen scale, they are how I've gone from (an estimated) 29.5% to 24.4% BF in the past 3 months. But tracking BF% and all that nonsense is just fun and motivating for me
How did you do it? Weight lifting???
For the first 2 and a half months (thereabouts), I did cardio 6 times a week and Body Pump 3 times a week. Body Pump is light weights, high reps.
Almost 4 weeks ago (today is day 1 of week 4) I began Stronglifts 5x5, which is a heavy lifting program. You lift 3 days a week, and then I did cardio 4 days a week. In my first 3 weeks I lost 1.3kg and 1.1% BF. Definitely seeing amazing results with this program already and I will continue to lift heavy.0 -
Awesome! Thanks! 0
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Regarding all that cardio while doing lifting - you should read the article in this topic which has links to the research.
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/33236090#Comment_33236090
Unless by cardio you mean walking for recovery.
Because if doing hard cardio - you have no idea how much better your lifting sessions could be.0
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