Body Fat Scales, Question?

[spiderwomen118]

I have had some help with this before, but I'm wondering if anyone else has had this experience. I only use the scale to help gauge where I'm at, I know it's not exactly precise and I realize that different things contribute to a fluctuation. Here's the problem one day I can step on the scale and I get a reading of one number three days later it will read 10 points higer and three days later it will read 12 points lower. Now I'm wondering if I need to get an athletic scale model? What's the difference between those and the regular bodyfat scales, or do I need to buy a different scale altogether? It's hard to keep a gauge with such a big gap. Anyone have any suggestions? Please, thanks.

 

[RLMS]

To get a consistent measurement, you need to use the scale at the same time of day when you are likely to be most evenly hydrated. For me, this is first thing in the morning right after using the bathroom when I wake up. I know that the body fat reading that I get is going to be about 5% too high in the morning because I am somewhat dehydrated but I have found that this is the time of day that my hydration level is consistent. Like you, I am looking for changes, not absolute precise values.

 

[Maximus]

Well I'm guilty of weighing myself every day, but as I understand it you're supposed to weigh once a week, at the same time of day as RLMS says.

I bet most of us are too obsessed w/our weight though to wait a whole 7 days.

 

[spiderwomen118]

Do you guys have the regular bodyfat scales or do you have the one that has athletic mode, just curious? I do try to weigh myself first thing in the morning, you know what though it's usually after I have worked out. Could that be playing a role in the situation, maybe I'm even more dehydrated? What model do you guys have?

 

[rcook]

Maxumis, I am with ya, I weigh every day, I just want to know everyday what I have to work at...... and I am not about to stop}( this is my thing lol......... Rhonda:9

 

[wutherhi]

My Tanita scale measures my body fat consistently, but it is also consistently wrong. It reads me at about 45% when in truth, I'm more like 25%. But it is consistent. The scales, on the other hand, are very accurate for weight, even in the very low and very high ranges.

Shari

 

[rcook]

Forgot to add, my scales are just regular digital scales they don't do body fat........ Rhonda

 

[momto2bratz]

I agree Shari, I have a Tanita and I think it is off when it measures bodyfat. I think it's accurate for weight though.

Aila

 

[elsie3]

I have a regular Tanita scale. I weigh myself in the morning, right after going to the bathroom. (The instructions recommend you weigh yourself in the buff in the early afternoon, but who can realistically do that)? And, as you stated, it's only good for measuring trends, as it is significantly higher than the "standard" body-fat scale. Mine remains consistent: I've never had it vary widely like yours has.

I, too, have wondered about the athletic style ones. I would imagine that they are just calibrated differently. But since I'm just interested in if I'm going up or down, I don't care to spend the extra money.

I weigh myself every day just to see what type of things affect my weight--workouts, types of food, hormones, etc. But I fully realize that weight (and body-fat readings) can vary greatly from day to day. I compare one week to the next. And there is that week of two every month where it's going to go up no matter what I do, so I chart it and just remind myself what time of the month it is.

Carol F

 

[newmommy]

I have a Tanita body fat scale as well. Mine has a regular setting and an athlete setting. I never use the athlete setting (although it makes my body fat much less ) because I only use it as a guide to how much fat I am gaining or losing. I use mine first thing in the morning just after using the bathroom as well and it seems to me to stay pretty consistent with my workout/eating habits. When it tells me my weight and body fat are down I can see it in how my clothes fit, etc. Like I said, I don't pay any attention to the actual % number just whether or not it's going down.

Katie

 

[spiderwomen118]

Wow, it's kind of cool that so many people do have them. I don't think it's a big deal if you weigh yourself everyday. Everybody does something, you know. I wonder why in the athlete mode is makes your body fat much less? I'd like to look at that everyday. I think maybe I need a new scale there is just too much variance, and you know as far as dehydration, sometimes after I've had my hardest workouts and hopped on the scale, you would think I might be fairly dehydrated, I actually have less of a bodyfat percentage. So I might just get another scale this one may just be too off. Everyone here though seems to agree that they don't think there scale is accurate. I'll go and price a Tanita, I need something that is going to give me a good gage. Thanks for all the information this really helps and it's nice to know I'm not the only one thinking about the bodyfat percentage.

 

[searlv]

I have a Tanita that measures regular and athlete mode. I check both. The athlete mode measures about 4% fat below the regular mode. Alas, the regular measurement is in line with the handheld (Omron??) model at the gym. I believe the athlete mode - naturally!!!!