Cathe, body fat % monitoring?

[intensitylisa]

Hi Cathe! I hope you can help me! When doing a pinch, caliber type body fat analysis where pinching 1 inch above the hip bone, is it possible that someone with stretched, loose abdominal skin from several c-sections and large babies could have a higher reading that is not true body fat because the abdominal skin is not tight? Even though my body fat was average, I was quite discouraged with my reading. Thanks for your help!

 

[jenniferoc]

I was wondering the same exact thing!!!! I remember the last time I had my body fat measured.I didn't come up with an awful reading, but I expected to be in the lean category and I just missed it. I asked the fitness trainer the same thing and he didn't seem to have an answer for me. I am positive that he was pulling empty skin. There didn't seem to be any fat underneath and yet he said it counted.I was so upset I never had it measured again.

 

[trevor]

I'm no expert but it sounds like you might do better getting a "dunk test" to measure the bodyfat. It's one of the most accurate methods. The community college near me does this test as part of an inital assessment prior to taking one of their fitness and nutrition classes.
Trevor

 

[jenniferoc]

Hey Trevor!

That's a great idea.Hydrostatic weighing is supposed to be the most accurate measure of body fat. I would definitely encourage people to try it if they are concerned about getting an accurate reading. Unfortunately it didn't work for me because I was unable to go under water and empty my lungs of all air. I got so claustrophobic I kept popping up before I was supposed to. Needless to say the guy doing the test was getting rather impatient with me. :-( I felt like a nitwit when we had to dicontinue testing cause I kept freaking out.The way I look at it now is if my clothes fit and I have visible muscle in the extremities and ab area it must be o.k. . i try to relax about the numbers!!

 

[intensitylisa]

I've come to the conclusion that I am not going to let the numbers bother me! My clothes fit great. I feel great! I look great for a woman close to 40, so my son's tell me!

 

[jenniferoc]

I definitely have to agree with you. I will be 41 next month and I feel like I look good and feel great!! What more can you possibly ask for? Thanks Cathe!!!!!!!