HELP! BF%, LMB, and BFW and what's supposed to go down

esmecgg
esmecgg Posts: 38
in Health and Weight Loss
So to make a long story short, I've been tracking by BF% and such for about 8 months or so. I was doing well for a while, and but I hadn't checked my measurements in about 3 1/2 months. I inputted all the data into my trusty little spreadsheet tonight, and realized a disturbing trend... my lean body mass has decreased more than the fat weight! Out of the 19.5 lbs. lost in the data I have, 13~ lbs have been lean body mass. (That's 2/3!!!) :noway:

I'm not a nutritionist, or a trainer, or anyone with any real learned knowledge about how weight loss is supposed to go, but this doesn't sound good to me!

My question: is this as bad a thing as I think it is, :blushing: and if it is, what's the best way to go about changing it in a positive way? Should I simply use a different formula? Is this what's supposed to happen? Someone please help! :sad: The more I think about it, the more worried I become.

If you want to see the numbers themselves, I copied them into a Google doc ~ link is below.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AmSMDUclNC8RdEJla21yR01vQzRrN2FPcVdfRkhWVEE&pli=1#gid=0

Thanks to anyone who actually read all the way to the bottom of this!

Replies

  • 1a1a
    1a1a Posts: 761 Member
    How much cardio/strength training do you do? From what i understand, all cardio, no strength on a calorie deficit leads to loosing lean mass as well as body weight,to rectify start strength training now. If you don't want to have to think about it too much, do something like the 30 day shred, or turbofire, or for serious muscle building p90x, (there's a free online strenght training program, can't remember the web address though.)
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    I tried looking at your spreadsheet....I love data- I'm a nerd like that....but alas, it is locked.
    You need permission to access this item.

    You are signed in as @gmail.com, but you don't have permission to access this item. You can request access from the owner or choose a different account. Learn more

    Anyway, without the data, the answer is that you need to be doing resistance/strength training, and eating enough protein to sustain your lean body mass- 1 g protein/lb lean body mass.
  • esmecgg
    esmecgg Posts: 38
    I have been doing strength training, the gym I belong to has machines that I've been using, but I haven't been able to get there much/ haven't been able to force myself to go.

    MoreBean, if you're still interested I changed permissions, the link to view the data is here https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AmSMDUclNC8RdEJla21yR01vQzRrN2FPcVdfRkhWVEE . I figure sometimes it's easier to figure something out when the numbers are written in front of you

    From what I gather, I need more protein, and to do more strength training. Correct?

    Thank you for your help!
  • TheFunBun
    TheFunBun Posts: 793 Member
    Also, measurements can be off as a method for body fat percentage calculation. Most of the ways to measure BF% can be kind of twitchy. Ideally, you have to go do the expensive ones (dexa, bodpod) to really get the info.. because if your body shape is different, the BF calculators can be kind of depressing. Calipers, too, if you keep fat in different areas.

    I don't know how you're keeping track of your BF, but that's a consideration.
  • run2jeepn
    run2jeepn Posts: 183 Member
    I can't get your Spread sheet to come up..

    Can't help ya without any info....
  • Deltafliers
    Deltafliers Posts: 201 Member
    hehe, I am a nerd too, and one of my favorite programs is Excel. Anyway....

    I tried going to your profile and looking for a food diary, but alas there was none. So you say you already add strength, how is your protien and calorie intake...Would it be time to tweak your regimine?

    http://www.livestrong.com/article/403365-why-am-i-losing-weight-but-not-body-fat/

    http://www.livestrong.com/article/36026-lose-weight-gain-lean/

    Hope those sites help; this is what I inputed into the search box "should I be losing Lean body mass as I lose weight?" The links above were in the top results.
  • kdeaux1959
    kdeaux1959 Posts: 2,675 Member
    The key # to me is the body fat percentage. If this is increasing, you are somehow losing ground. Some possibilities are as follows:

    1. Not getting enough protein
    2. No or improper weight training -- (allow rest time between weight lifting sessions) .. I typically do at most upper body every other day with lower body the alternate days.
    3. Losing weight too fast. If you are on an extremely low caloric diet and are losing weight very quickly, it is because your body is cannibalizing your muscles to feed itself... This can be due to low protein, improper or no weight training, etc.
    4. Improper measurement techniques --The only truly accurate way to determine BF% is to have it done with some type anthropometric instruments. The charts given weight and waist sizes are estimates only... To get a true picture, have somebody at the gym work it out for you-- it will be more accurate that way with less margin of error.

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