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MyFitnessPal Community

Withings Scale Said I have 39% body fat index?!

cookhazel93

Good morning all, This is my first discussion post,

I'm a bit confused because I weighed myself this morning, I was exactly 10st 13.02 (wooh *just* under 11 st ;-) ) but the scale said I have 39% fat index?! So apparently I'm obese.
I'm 5ft 4 and a size 10-12. I'm not really sure I'm obese. I class myself as chubby but everyone calls me small...Please help because I'm distraught!

Replies

StealthHealth

Domestic scales that provide a body fat reading rely on bioelectrical impedance technology. This is notoriously inaccurate (hydration makes a massive difference to the reading) and are generally best ignored.

Monitor your progress by;

Weight
how your clothes fit
Appearance
Measurements (bust, waist, hips etc)

cookhazel93

Thankyou, I was doing so up until this morning when I started googling and saw what people were saying I was very shocked.

StealthHealth

BMI is not a great measure but your stats:

Female, 23 YO, height 5'4" weight 154 lbs puts you at 26.4 which is just inside the overweight category.

Drop 9 lbs and you'll be in normal.
At your height and age you'd need to be 175 lbs (12 st 7lbs - a whopping 21 lbs more than you are now) to be in the obese category.

You are not obese and you are not a category or a number on a scale.

Alarae21

My scale this morning had me at 10.2 stone with 30.5% body fat. I am 5'3.

I'm still overweight and my body fat isn't fabulous but you can't really trust it. As long as the overall trend for body fat is going down then you know you are going in the right direction

cookhazel93

omg. I can't believe I am 'overweight'

:'(

oolou

cookhazel93 wrote: »

omg. I can't believe I am 'overweight' :'(

13207377128fd71cd6cf7d4b43f27c91b83672698e0c1ab5df16c71d2f60cde4.jpg

StealthHealth

StealthHealth wrote: »

BMI is not a great measure but your stats:

Female, 23 YO, height 5'4" weight 154 lbs puts you at 26.4 which is just inside the overweight category.

Drop 9 lbs and you'll be in normal.
At your height and age you'd need to be 175 lbs (12 st 7lbs - a whopping 21 lbs more than you are now) to be in the obese category.

You are not obese and you are not a category or a number on a scale.

jemhh

cookhazel93 wrote: »

omg. I can't believe I am 'overweight' :'(

Seriously? It's not something to cry about and I find it hard to believe you ended up on MFP for a reason other than concern about your weight.

cookhazel93

jemhh wrote: »

cookhazel93 wrote: »

omg. I can't believe I am 'overweight' :'(

Seriously? It's not something to cry about and I find it hard to believe you ended up on MFP for a reason other than concern about your weight.

That's a bit rude isn't it?

jemhh

cookhazel93 wrote: »

jemhh wrote: »

cookhazel93 wrote: »

omg. I can't believe I am 'overweight' :'(

Seriously? It's not something to cry about and I find it hard to believe you ended up on MFP for a reason other than concern about your weight.

That's a bit rude isn't it?

I don't think so. I do think it's insensitive to go to a website that is filled with people who are overweight and obese and trying to lose weight and act like it's horrifying to be 8 pounds overweight. Distraught? Pfft.

SallyKaPow

It can be a shock when it actually dawns on you that you're bigger than you realised. Don't be disheartened though, because you're not obese and you don't have a huge amount of weight to lose. You could probably get within the healthy band in a matter of months and you'd feel loads better about yourself so chin up!

Mouse_Potato

Welcome to MFP.

I started out at very close to where you are - just under 5'4" and 149 pounds. ~32% body fat. As of this morning I am down 30 pounds and my body fat is ~22%. You can do this!

cookhazel93

jemhh wrote: »

cookhazel93 wrote: »

jemhh wrote: »

cookhazel93 wrote: »

omg. I can't believe I am 'overweight' :'(

Seriously? It's not something to cry about and I find it hard to believe you ended up on MFP for a reason other than concern about your weight.

That's a bit rude isn't it?

I don't think so. I do think it's insensitive to go to a website that is filled with people who are overweight and obese and trying to lose weight and act like it's horrifying to be 8 pounds overweight. Distraught? Pfft.

Well apparently I am overweight so take your pfffts elsewhere this is meant to be a supportive community

cookhazel93

sallykift wrote: »

It can be a shock when it actually dawns on you that you're bigger than you realised. Don't be disheartened though, because you're not obese and you don't have a huge amount of weight to lose. You could probably get within the healthy band in a matter of months and you'd feel loads better about yourself so chin up!

Thankyou for your supportive post when other persons are being mean

Gingasi

jemhh wrote: »

cookhazel93 wrote: »

jemhh wrote: »

cookhazel93 wrote: »

omg. I can't believe I am 'overweight' :'(

Seriously? It's not something to cry about and I find it hard to believe you ended up on MFP for a reason other than concern about your weight.

That's a bit rude isn't it?

I don't think so. I do think it's insensitive to go to a website that is filled with people who are overweight and obese and trying to lose weight and act like it's horrifying to be 8 pounds overweight. Distraught? Pfft.

MFP is meant to be a place of support/inspiration/sharing and caring for like minded folks with general fitness/health/wellbeing goals it's a real shame jemhh you have to troll people that is not cool.

janejellyroll

Gingasi wrote: »

jemhh wrote: »

cookhazel93 wrote: »

jemhh wrote: »

cookhazel93 wrote: »

omg. I can't believe I am 'overweight' :'(

Seriously? It's not something to cry about and I find it hard to believe you ended up on MFP for a reason other than concern about your weight.

That's a bit rude isn't it?

I don't think so. I do think it's insensitive to go to a website that is filled with people who are overweight and obese and trying to lose weight and act like it's horrifying to be 8 pounds overweight. Distraught? Pfft.

MFP is meant to be a place of support/inspiration/sharing and caring for like minded folks with general fitness/health/wellbeing goals it's a real shame jemhh you have to troll people that is not cool.

I'm sorry, what was the trolling here?

I don't think it's very supportive to act like eight pounds is some major tragedy when we have people where who are trying to lose much more weight. That's all that was being pointed out. If you expect support and caring, why not expect it from the OP as well?

xjessicaxrx

I have the same stats as you, im 5ft 4, same weight and clothes size but my scales say my body fat is 24%, I hope yours are inaccurate not mine haha!?

jemhh

janejellyroll wrote: »

Gingasi wrote: »

jemhh wrote: »

cookhazel93 wrote: »

jemhh wrote: »

cookhazel93 wrote: »

omg. I can't believe I am 'overweight' :'(

Seriously? It's not something to cry about and I find it hard to believe you ended up on MFP for a reason other than concern about your weight.

That's a bit rude isn't it?

I don't think so. I do think it's insensitive to go to a website that is filled with people who are overweight and obese and trying to lose weight and act like it's horrifying to be 8 pounds overweight. Distraught? Pfft.

MFP is meant to be a place of support/inspiration/sharing and caring for like minded folks with general fitness/health/wellbeing goals it's a real shame jemhh you have to troll people that is not cool.

I'm sorry, what was the trolling here?

I don't think it's very supportive to act like eight pounds is some major tragedy when we have people where who are trying to lose much more weight. That's all that was being pointed out. If you expect support and caring, why not expect it from the OP as well?

Precisely, @janejellyroll.

amyepdx

I think you are confusing body fat % which the scale measures and body mass index which is a calculation of your weight and height. You can find the BMI calculator on the MFP desktop sure (sorry I don't know how to convert stones). For instance, at 5'5" and 185, my BMI is 30.8 but my BF% (from my Aria scale which isn't the most accurate) is 47%.

janejellyroll

xjessicaxrx wrote: »

I have the same stats as you, im 5ft 4, same weight and clothes size but my scales say my body fat is 24%, I hope yours are inaccurate not mine haha!?

Two people can be the same weight and height and have different body fat percentages. It's going to vary by person. Both of your scales could be accurate. Both could be inaccurate. One could be accurate and the other not.

Typically, a scale is not considered a very accurate way to determine body fat percentages.

3dogsrunning

xjessicaxrx wrote: »

I have the same stats as you, im 5ft 4, same weight and clothes size but my scales say my body fat is 24%, I hope yours are inaccurate not mine haha!?

At 5'4 and 154 lbs it is unlikely you are at 24% BF.

xjessicaxrx

3dogsrunning wrote: »

xjessicaxrx wrote: »

I have the same stats as you, im 5ft 4, same weight and clothes size but my scales say my body fat is 24%, I hope yours are inaccurate not mine haha!?

At 5'4 and 154 lbs it is unlikely you are at 24% BF.

How do u know?

3dogsrunning

xjessicaxrx wrote: »

3dogsrunning wrote: »

xjessicaxrx wrote: »

I have the same stats as you, im 5ft 4, same weight and clothes size but my scales say my body fat is 24%, I hope yours are inaccurate not mine haha!?

At 5'4 and 154 lbs it is unlikely you are at 24% BF.

How do u know?

Because we went over these stats in a recent thread for the same height. The example was given of Dana Lynn Bailey who is a professional body builder with considerable muscle mass. At 5'4, her LBM is 117lbs.
So to be 5'4, 154lbs at 24% BF, you would have 118 lbs of LBM.
That would put you at the same as her. We are talking about someone who has spent years working very hard to add mass.
So my answer is, it is unlikely.

cookhazel93

xjessicaxrx wrote: »

I have the same stats as you, im 5ft 4, same weight and clothes size but my scales say my body fat is 24%, I hope yours are inaccurate not mine haha!?

Haha oh dear that's so strange!!

cookhazel93

janejellyroll wrote: »

Gingasi wrote: »

jemhh wrote: »

cookhazel93 wrote: »

jemhh wrote: »

cookhazel93 wrote: »

omg. I can't believe I am 'overweight' :'(

Seriously? It's not something to cry about and I find it hard to believe you ended up on MFP for a reason other than concern about your weight.

That's a bit rude isn't it?

I don't think so. I do think it's insensitive to go to a website that is filled with people who are overweight and obese and trying to lose weight and act like it's horrifying to be 8 pounds overweight. Distraught? Pfft.

MFP is meant to be a place of support/inspiration/sharing and caring for like minded folks with general fitness/health/wellbeing goals it's a real shame jemhh you have to troll people that is not cool.

I'm sorry, what was the trolling here?

I don't think it's very supportive to act like eight pounds is some major tragedy when we have people where who are trying to lose much more weight. That's all that was being pointed out. If you expect support and caring, why not expect it from the OP as well?

Don't remember making it some tragedy. Find it funny that you get your friends to back you up here. :-) 8 pounds is hard for me because I am physically disabled, so it's not like I can go out for a run, but I expect there are people here who are 2 stone overweight who can easily go out for a jog or a cycle or a swim who's spine is not a car wreck. So yes, although I did not make it a tragedy in the first place: actually it is quite hard for me to lose weight. So I would appreciate a little bit of etiquette and non judgement over someone you do not know please.

Gingasi

janejellyroll wrote: »

Gingasi wrote: »

jemhh wrote: »

cookhazel93 wrote: »

jemhh wrote: »

cookhazel93 wrote: »

omg. I can't believe I am 'overweight' :'(

Seriously? It's not something to cry about and I find it hard to believe you ended up on MFP for a reason other than concern about your weight.

That's a bit rude isn't it?

I don't think so. I do think it's insensitive to go to a website that is filled with people who are overweight and obese and trying to lose weight and act like it's horrifying to be 8 pounds overweight. Distraught? Pfft.

MFP is meant to be a place of support/inspiration/sharing and caring for like minded folks with general fitness/health/wellbeing goals it's a real shame jemhh you have to troll people that is not cool.

I'm sorry, what was the trolling here?

I don't think it's very supportive to act like eight pounds is some major tragedy when we have people where who are trying to lose much more weight. That's all that was being pointed out. If you expect support and caring, why not expect it from the OP as well?

The trolling was jemjj being judge, jury and executioner when it's not her place to be so harsh with an solicited attack on the op. Not got anything nice to say don't say anything at all. Where did the op say she only had 8lbs to lose to start with?
Everybody's got different goals and different struggles so to decide to start on the op was just for the sake of trolling and nothing productive or supportive.
Other people are supportive and adult enough to either support or advice genuinely yet jemhh and janeJellyroll you to choose to sit and pass judgement, wow!
You don't have to comment there is a back button if the pair of you don't like what you read.

lemurcat12

Gingasi wrote: »

janejellyroll wrote: »

Gingasi wrote: »

jemhh wrote: »

cookhazel93 wrote: »

jemhh wrote: »

cookhazel93 wrote: »

omg. I can't believe I am 'overweight' :'(

Seriously? It's not something to cry about and I find it hard to believe you ended up on MFP for a reason other than concern about your weight.

That's a bit rude isn't it?

I don't think so. I do think it's insensitive to go to a website that is filled with people who are overweight and obese and trying to lose weight and act like it's horrifying to be 8 pounds overweight. Distraught? Pfft.

MFP is meant to be a place of support/inspiration/sharing and caring for like minded folks with general fitness/health/wellbeing goals it's a real shame jemhh you have to troll people that is not cool.

I'm sorry, what was the trolling here?

I don't think it's very supportive to act like eight pounds is some major tragedy when we have people where who are trying to lose much more weight. That's all that was being pointed out. If you expect support and caring, why not expect it from the OP as well?

The trolling was jemjj being judge, jury and executioner when it's not her place to be so harsh with an solicited attack on the op.

This so did not happen. You must have an odd idea of what an "attack" is.

Expatmommy79

No one can say that 8 pounds for the op isn't as meaningful as 20 pounds for me.

There will always be someon way worse off, does that mean the rest are not allowed to ask for support?

It's not a 300+ pounds only club
There are people actively trying to gain here
Others trying to maintain
Others want to recomp

100's of goals. None is more meaningful than the other.

jemhh

Absolutely ask for support. But have some perspective and consider those around you. Would you walk into the oncology wing of the hospital and exclaim "The stylist cut too much off. I can't believe I have short hair! I'm distraught!"?

OP, you don't need to exercise to lose weight, no matter how much you have to lose. Eat less. That's it.

lemurcat12

Expatmommy79 wrote: »

There will always be someon way worse off, does that mean the rest are not allowed to ask for support?

I didn't see OP asking for support. She asked about the 39% BF estimate -- IMO, scale estimates are useless, but it's possible at her weight that that is correct, as it would put her around 90 lb lean mass. A bit low for 5'4, but I'm around 95 LBM at 5'3 and I do exercise, so certainly possible. She seemed concerned about her weight, so was informed that according to BMI she's a bit overweight but not much. Then she flipped out at some other posters, or that's how I read the thread.

My supportive comment: OP, if you want to be within the healthy range (since you probably aren't an outlier with more LBM than usual), you only need to lose a few lbs. You don't have to if you like the way you look now, but it would be easy and pretty painless. Saying you are overweight by BMI is not an insult, it's just a fact and you can do with it what you will, totally your call, you are unlikely to be overweight enough for it to be much of a health risk, but then again it might be good to take control of it at your age, helpful in the long run. And obviously no one needs to run or otherwise work out to lose weight.