Losing only muscle and no fat?
OrangeWhiteBlue
Posts: 9 Member
I took a bioimpedance test at the gym a month ago that estimated my body fat at 21.7%, a total of 18.3 kg (40.3 lbs), and my muscle mass at 35 kg (77.2 lbs). For a month, I have been eating at a fairly big deficit, doing a large amount of HIIT cardio, and strenuous exercises like chin-ups (e.g., 8 reps x 5 sets, as many proper chin-ups as I can, the rest negative). My performance improved distinctly, and my muscles were often sore after resistance training. I was eating quite a lot of protein (35% of my caloric intake), way more than I used to in the past, when I often didn't eat any protein-rich food at all throughout the day. I am a complete noob, so I was expecting improvement, and my weight went down steadily.
The problem is, I took the test again at the same place, and while my weight has decreased, my fat percent went up to 22.5%, a total of 18.2 kg (40.1 lbs). Meanwhile, my muscle went down a whopping 2 kg to 33.1 kg (73 lbs). While I understand that a deficit means some degeneration of muscle, surely I can't be losing muscle and water alone, and no fat. I understand my deficit may be a little excessive, but surely not so excessive as to only lose muscle (my BMR is supposed to be ~1750, and I usually eat about 1600 at 40% carb, 25% fat, 35% protein - it's probably a bit more calories in practice, since it turned out my apples are more like 200g than 170g, etc.).
The question is, is it possible that my total body fat declined by a measly 0.2 lbs in a month under these conditions? I suspect something went wrong with the analysis, either now or back then.
Some relevant information: I'm 30, male, 189 cm / 6'2", used to be 84.3 / 186 lbs in September, 81 / 179 lbs now. My waistline went down from 38" to 35" within that period, and my brand new home scales show 19.6% fat, though of course I understand the unreliability of home scales. They also showed me as weighting 81.9 kg rather than 81.0 about 15 minutes before the test, since I wanted to compare the results, but that's a minor point. Pics from a month ago vs now seem to suggest some improvement for body fat, though it could be all water, I guess:
6th Oct: https://i.imgur.com/6ap915F.jpg
2nd Nov: https://i.imgur.com/qF72zqS.jpg (upper row is relaxed, bottom 3 pics flexed)
The problem is, I took the test again at the same place, and while my weight has decreased, my fat percent went up to 22.5%, a total of 18.2 kg (40.1 lbs). Meanwhile, my muscle went down a whopping 2 kg to 33.1 kg (73 lbs). While I understand that a deficit means some degeneration of muscle, surely I can't be losing muscle and water alone, and no fat. I understand my deficit may be a little excessive, but surely not so excessive as to only lose muscle (my BMR is supposed to be ~1750, and I usually eat about 1600 at 40% carb, 25% fat, 35% protein - it's probably a bit more calories in practice, since it turned out my apples are more like 200g than 170g, etc.).
The question is, is it possible that my total body fat declined by a measly 0.2 lbs in a month under these conditions? I suspect something went wrong with the analysis, either now or back then.
Some relevant information: I'm 30, male, 189 cm / 6'2", used to be 84.3 / 186 lbs in September, 81 / 179 lbs now. My waistline went down from 38" to 35" within that period, and my brand new home scales show 19.6% fat, though of course I understand the unreliability of home scales. They also showed me as weighting 81.9 kg rather than 81.0 about 15 minutes before the test, since I wanted to compare the results, but that's a minor point. Pics from a month ago vs now seem to suggest some improvement for body fat, though it could be all water, I guess:
6th Oct: https://i.imgur.com/6ap915F.jpg
2nd Nov: https://i.imgur.com/qF72zqS.jpg (upper row is relaxed, bottom 3 pics flexed)
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Some questions
1. the BIA test. 4 point, 6 point 8 point. What brand, how detailed an output?
2. What was your estimated hydration level according to each of the tests
3. Does your home scale estimate hydration level?2 -
1. 4 point, it's a Russian brand, likely this one: https://translate.google.ru/translate?hl=en&sl=ru&tl=en&u=http://medass.su/priboryi/ - it also describes the output. My 'active and reactive resistance' was 508/58 on the first, 545/62 on the second. I'm sorry for the clumsy translation.stanmann571 wrote: »Some questions
1. the BIA test. 4 point, 6 point 8 point. What brand, how detailed an output?
2. What was your estimated hydration level according to each of the tests
3. Does your home scale estimate hydration level?
2. My 'total liquid' on the first test was 48.3 kg, and on the second it was 45.9 kg, so 57% and 56%.
3. Yes, it says it's 59%, so 48.4 kg, as it used to be a month ago. I have had some food and plenty of water since the test.
I understand that, but I am also worried that I may be doing something wrong. After all, I do have a slightly bigger calorie deficit than I perhaps should. Their suggestions were to eat more and lift heavier weights instead of doing body weight stuff, even if it's strenuous. They may be nudging me towards a personal trainer, but then weightlifting is a genuinely good way to build muscle.Those tests are incredibly unreliable. Run away if you hear something "here is a powder or a pill that will help you build muscle". This could all be a trick by the gym to sell you products. Never trust anyone that can make money off you.
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Those numbers don't add up.OrangeWhiteBlue wrote: »
1. 4 point, it's a Russian brand, likely this one: https://translate.google.ru/translate?hl=en&sl=ru&tl=en&u=http://medass.su/priboryi/ - it also describes the output. My 'active and reactive resistance' was 508/58 on the first, 545/62 on the second. I'm sorry for the clumsy translation.stanmann571 wrote: »Some questions
1. the BIA test. 4 point, 6 point 8 point. What brand, how detailed an output?
2. What was your estimated hydration level according to each of the tests
3. Does your home scale estimate hydration level?
2. My 'total liquid' on the first test was 48.3 kg, and on the second it was 45.9 kg, so 57% and 56%.
18.3+35+48.3=NOT 84.3
31 kg
18.2+33.1+45.9=NOT 81
29.7 kg
4. Yes, it says it's 59%, so 48.4 kg, as it used to be a month ago. I have had some food and plenty of water since the test.
I understand that, but I am also worried that I may be doing something wrong. After all, I do have a slightly bigger calorie deficit than I perhaps should. Their suggestions were to eat more and lift heavier weights instead of doing body weight stuff, even if it's strenuous. They may be nudging me towards a personal trainer, but then weightlifting is a genuinely good way to build muscle.Those tests are incredibly unreliable. Run away if you hear something "here is a powder or a pill that will help you build muscle". This could all be a trick by the gym to sell you products. Never trust anyone that can make money off you.
4 Point meaning handheld?
For reference.
These are 4 point BIA measures
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CZPF5L2/ref=asc_df_B00CZPF5L25245430/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=394997&creativeASIN=B00CZPF5L2&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167124601101&hvpos=1o3&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2714112909939291179&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007544&hvtargid=pla-311335400530
https://www.amazon.com/Omron-HBF-306CN-Fat-Loss-Monitor/dp/B000FYZMYK/ref=pd_bxgy_200_img_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=JFB7E76ZV54VFT4S33A0
This is a 6 point BIA
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001803OS6/ref=asc_df_B001803OS65245430/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=394997&creativeASIN=B001803OS6&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167124601101&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2714112909939291179&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007544&hvtargid=pla-149964464235
This is 8 point
https://www.inbodyusa.com/pages/inbody770
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Also, It's unlikely that your TBW(Total Body weight) dropped, and your BF remained exactly the same.0
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Your body fat went from 21.7% to 22.5%? That is well within the range of error with those machines. Go to the bathroom and try again. Drink some water. Do it at the end of a work out.
If you're losing weight and you're exercising to maintain muscle, you're good. Take some measurements and ignore BF toys.2 -
No, it's a device like this - one hand, one foot: http://medass.su/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/ris-1.png / http://medass.su/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/ABC02-1-300x235.jpgstanmann571 wrote: »4 Point meaning handheld?
That's what I thought, and that's what I pointed out to the consultant, but she shrugged it off.Also, It's unlikely that your TBW(Total Body weight) dropped, and your BF remained exactly the same.
It went up from 21.7% to 22.5% within a month of hardcore cardio, exercise and dieting.Your body fat went from 21.7% to 22.5%? That is well within the range of error with those machines. Go to the bathroom and try again. Drink some water. Do it at the end of a work out.
If you're losing weight and you're exercising to maintain muscle, you're good. Take some measurements and ignore BF toys.
My assumption was that if I lost 7 lbs of weight, most of it would be fat. If anything, I thought I was _gaining_ rather than maintaining muscle, and my BF would be more like 19.5%.
Even my home scales always show a range between 19.5% and 19.9%, at any point of the day.0 -
OrangeWhiteBlue wrote: »
No, it's a device like this - one hand, one foot: http://medass.su/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/ris-1.png / http://medass.su/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/ABC02-1-300x235.jpgstanmann571 wrote: »4 Point meaning handheld?
That's what I thought, and that's what I pointed out to the consultant, but she shrugged it off.Also, It's unlikely that your TBW(Total Body weight) dropped, and your BF remained exactly the same.
It went up from 21.7% to 22.5% within a month of hardcore cardio, exercise and dieting.Your body fat went from 21.7% to 22.5%? That is well within the range of error with those machines. Go to the bathroom and try again. Drink some water. Do it at the end of a work out.
If you're losing weight and you're exercising to maintain muscle, you're good. Take some measurements and ignore BF toys.
My assumption was that if I lost 7 lbs of weight, most of it would be fat. If anything, I thought I was _gaining_ rather than maintaining muscle, and my BF would be more like 19.5%.
Even my home scales always show a range between 19.5% and 19.9%, at any point of the day.
That's certainly an interesting looking device. So height/weight are measured and entered separately?1 -
Those numbers don't add up.OrangeWhiteBlue wrote: »
2. My 'total liquid' on the first test was 48.3 kg, and on the second it was 45.9 kg, so 57% and 56%.stanmann571 wrote: »Some questions
2. What was your estimated hydration level according to each of the tests
18.3+35+48.3=NOT 84.3
31 kg
18.2+33.1+45.9=NOT 81
29.7 kg
Moved down since I edited since you responded.
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Yes, they are. The weight seems more or less correct (their scales showed 81 kg, locker room scales at the gym showed 80.5-81.3, and my scales at home showed 81.9).stanmann571 wrote: »That's certainly an interesting looking device. So height/weight are measured and entered separately?
Perhaps hydration is different from body fluid? They don't add up anywhere on sample pics for this bioimpedance analysis. The description says it includes intracellular fluids, and that it should be about 73% of the lean mass. For that matter, they don't add up on my scales either; it's ~19.5% fat, ~59% fluid, ~41% muscle.Those numbers don't add up.
The only things that do add up are fat + lean mass.
To be honest, I am completely confused about my BF. Scales say 19.5-9%, gym gives me all that discrepant information, and people at BB.com just said it's more like 13-15% from the pics (flattering, but seems way off).0
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