Fat loss vs weight loss

TOXUTHAT
TOXUTHAT Posts: 38 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I am in a competition with a friend. At first, we were going to measure pounds lost. But he out weighs me by about 70 pounds, he has an advantage. So then we decided on percent of weight loss. Now he wants to measure fat loss instead. He belongs to a gym and said he wants to do strength training to loose fat.
It makes sense to me, but I have always used a scale to loose weight. I have no idea how to loose or measure fat loss. I don't have time to go to the gym. I have an elliptical and I ride my bike to work.
Any advice on how to loose and measure fat loss would be appreciated.

Replies

  • SonyaCele
    SonyaCele Posts: 2,841 Member
    you'd have to get an accurate body fat measurement. but they aren't accurate.
    if you wanna lose fat/weight you eat in a calorie deficit. If you wanna get strong and fit , you exercise.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    Don't do it. If it's not a fair competition because your friend has more weight to lose, the same is probably true of fat, right?

    You can use a digital scale to guess your body fat percent, but it will not be accurate.
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    What is on the line for this competition?
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    Why don't you have a competition of workouts completed, it might be more fair to both of you.
  • TOXUTHAT
    TOXUTHAT Posts: 38 Member
    edited November 2016
    If you loose the least amount of weight percent, you pay $5 each week.
  • trigden1991
    trigden1991 Posts: 4,658 Member
    Unless your friend doesn't care, he will win. 70lbs extra weight will make it easier for him, no matter what method you go by.

    Competitions are a bit pointless for weight/fat loss as they are so individualized.
  • Spliner1969
    Spliner1969 Posts: 3,233 Member
    I'd tell your friend that you'll be happy to be his weight loss pal but pass on the competition unless you just want to motivate him by giving him the $5 each week. A good friend might do that. ;)

    I agree with the above posters, he has more to lose so it'll be easier for him to lose faster, at least at first.
  • Michael190lbs
    Michael190lbs Posts: 1,510 Member
    looks like you still have 47lbs to lose according to your timeline and he is 70lbs heavier than you. I say go for it weekly with the $5 bet. In 6 months even if it costs you $130 ($5x26 weeks) it will be least expensive bill you have ever made towards your health..
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,428 MFP Moderator
    edited November 2016
    You can normalize your weights to a same point and then do a percent weight loss. It will take a little math, but it should provide a semi-fair comparison.

    Or if you hate math, just do a percentage of weight loss (SW/CW).

    And if you want to cheat, go keto for the last two weeks to deplete glycogen.
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    trigden1991 wrote: »
    Unless your friend doesn't care, he will win. 70lbs extra weight will make it easier for him, no matter what method you go by.

    Competitions are a bit pointless for weight/fat loss as they are so individualized.

    Agreed.

    I mean, do what you want to do (maybe you are trying to encourage him?) but the odds are really stack against you here.

    Weight loss competitions favor the heavily overweight/obese, unhealthy weight loss methods, and cheaters.
  • texasleahgirl
    texasleahgirl Posts: 96 Member
    I used to participate in competitions like this at work. It is very motivating and fun!

    The way we did it for fairness was for everyone to weigh in weekly together at the same time on the same body fat scale. Yes those scales aren't accurate, but it is just a motivational tool in order to facilitate a shared healthy goal and although they aren't perfect they will show a trend. You should also plug the data into a trend line calculator because a single day can vary quite a bit.
  • RunBakeLove
    RunBakeLove Posts: 101 Member
    You could do a percentage of weight loss, makes it more fair. Good luck!
  • TOXUTHAT
    TOXUTHAT Posts: 38 Member
    edited November 2016
    After 2 weeks of percent of weight loss, I have won both weeks. I told him unless he can find an accurate way to measure fat loss, we will stick with percent lost.
    Thanks everyone for your help.
  • SonyaCele
    SonyaCele Posts: 2,841 Member
    Michael190lbs wrote: »
    looks like you still have 47lbs to lose according to your timeline and he is 70lbs heavier than you. I say go for it weekly with the $5 bet. In 6 months even if it costs you $130 ($5x26 weeks) it will be least expensive bill you have ever made towards your health..

    thats my opinion, too.

    And just because the other guy has 70 more lbs to lose doesn't mean he's gonna lose more or faster. Sure, on paper he would win, however in real life hes gonna have to be super committed , eating right, etc and that's where most people fail. If you go into this seriously, with less to lose, you will lose more than someone who is heavier but isn't making a dedicated effort.
  • canadianlbs
    canadianlbs Posts: 5,199 Member
    i think you should each put a buck on the table for every pound that you have to lose. and then allocate the win rates by percentage of the total or something :tongue:

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