Body Fat Percentage Question

michelle_eiz
michelle_eiz Posts: 100 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi! I tried a couple sessions with a person trainer at my gym. When we started on 3/11/12 we took measurements. Last night 4/3/12, we took my final measurements. I went down in weight by 3.6 lbs....had inches lost in some areas and a couple stayed the same or went up a little...giving me a total inches lost of 2.25 inches. But the big question is..my body fat percentage went from 41.5% to 43%!! How does that work? How can I gain body fat but lose all over?? Has anyone ever had this happen? My trainer is thinking it is because I donated plasma before coming in on the intial weight in, so he wants me to come in on Thursday after donating plasma again to see what the numbers are. I just don't understand though....very frustrating!

Replies

  • twinmom01
    twinmom01 Posts: 854 Member
    did he do any sort of body fat testing - with calipers in key areas? or is he just plugging in numbers...

    Where did you gain/loose? if you gained in your hips and your belly that could be throwing off the numbers...of course the question is were you measured right? - especially in the area of of your hips and waist...

    I just went through a 30 day challenge where they did body fat measurements with a combo of body measurements and calipers...I lost about 5 lbs, 5 inches and my body fat went from 30% to 26.5%

    I don't see where donating plasma would effect body composition....How do your clothes feel - do they feel a little looser...
  • michelle_eiz
    michelle_eiz Posts: 100 Member
    No testing. To figure out the body fat, he had me hold some machine out from my body and then it came up with the number.

    As far as clothes, I was wearing a size 22W for jeans which were a little loose (but not enough to fall off.) I am now able to pull those off without unbuttoning them and put on a 20W yesterday and was able to button them and still be able to breathe!

    Here are the measurements that he came up with: The first was taken on 3/11/12 and the second was on 4/3/12. Arms and thigh I gained..and calf stayed the same. All other areas there was a loss.

    Neck – 15.25 15
    Arm – 18 18.8
    Chest – 45.5 45.25
    Waist - 46 45.75
    Hip - 54 53
    Thigh - 23.5 24
    Calf – 18.5 18.5
    Forearm – 12 11.5
  • mandylooo
    mandylooo Posts: 456 Member
    No testing. To figure out the body fat, he had me hold some machine out from my body and then it came up with the number.


    Think that's your problem - these machines tend to be inaccurate - certainly a change of 1.5% is within their margins of error. Focus on the inches lost - the body fat will change in the right direction eventually when there is a bigger difference.
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