Best body fat scale out there & thoughts on losing BF

Regarding BF scales and measuring/estimating BF, the only perfectly accurate method is to die and be autopsied. In decreasing order of accuracy you also have DEXA scans, underwater weighing, calipers, and machines like the Tanita ones you used which are bioelectrical impedance analysis devices. I would very strongly advise against buying a scale that uses BIA as I do not think the added cost is worth it. They are usually inaccurate and unreliable. Get a good analogue or digital scale with good reviews that is reliable. Take measurements using a tape measure, regular pictures in the same lighting, time of day, and as similar clothing as possible. If you want to have more accuracy regarding BF, learn to use calipers which will be more and more accurate as the BF goes down and as you use them more often. There are self-use ones now such as the Accu-Measure brand.

The simple basis of all body composition changes, is the energy balance. Regardless of all other factors, if your calories in > calories out, you add weight. Paying attention to macros can help keep the balance in a calorie deficit, and I find it certainly helps with feeling full and sticking to eating well. As for going above/below goals, remember the 80/20 rule and don't hate yourself over this sort of thing.

I went from 36%bf down to 13%bf on my first round of weight loss. I went from 300lbs down to 185 then gained 20 in muscle. Losing the weight only dropped my % down to like 20%bf the rest took like 6 months of being consistent of working out and lifting weights as well as maintaining my weight with a healthy diet. My tip is that losing body fat percentage takes time and you need to stay persistent and committed. As soon as you fall off the wagon the bf% starts to go up faster than it took to lower it.

This second round on losing weight for me (i gained it all back after my first round) i started at 295 and 35% bf. I am now at 220 and 23% bf. My abs are already coming back and are noticeable even at being 23%. Im at around 7-8 months so far in the second journey so dropping 12% bf took me that long, so i am looking at around another 6 or so months to drop another 10%, even though it will only take me about 2 months to get to my goal weight.

Accurate bodyfat measurements are extremely hard to do.The most consistent way is to get the same trained person, using the same calipers to take a 7 point skin fold measurement. This will provide consistency and isn't too badly affected by water fluctuations.

trigden1991 wrote: »

Accurate bodyfat measurements are extremely hard to do.The most consistent way is to get the same trained person, using the same calipers to take a 7 point skin fold measurement. This will provide consistency and isn't too badly affected by water fluctuations.

But loose skin can mess that up too.

pjoh127 wrote: »

maxit wrote: »

These body fat scales - hand held or step scale type - are notoriously inaccurate, being greatly influenced by amount of hydration. In one test I read, the level of so-called fat rose 10% after the person drank a large glass of water.

Wow and LOL! Is there anything accurate out there to measure body fat? When people post their BF% on the forum, how are they measuring it?

They're usually guessing, or got their number from a random test and are trusting that. I know that my gym does body fat tests and I trusted it for a while but then the numbers started making no sense whatsoever, so I stopped bothering... also let's be honest, I have never looked 22% body fat, as it claimed. More like 25.