help with lowering bodyfat

[JAFitMama]

I would caution any one who is concerned with daily BF readings. A number should not make or break your day. Don't be offended, I'm not against monitoring periodically. But are daily reading really going to change how you plan your day? It is not unlike stepping on the scale each day and deciding to have a good attitude if the number is right or a bad one ifthe number isn't.

Also all of the methods mentioned are just not that accurate. The gold standard is the water displacement method, (which I have done) and it is not meant to be used daily. However, these other methods do trend well over time if the same method is used consistantly. Makerting of these products has the general public believing that we NEED to know these readings every day so that we buy their product and tell our friends to do the same.

I'm not slamming anyone here. I was a daily scale visitor for years. Then I stopped using the scale and found my attitude towards health, exercise, and fitness to be much more positive. My results were better too. And food is just not much of an issue. I mainly make great food choices, but if I stray it isn't a big deal.

I just like to caution everyone that 'everything in moderaton' is a very healthy choice. Even for BF measurements, water drinking, and stepping on the scale.


blessings to all,
Judy
AKA Likes2bfit

 

[Snazzy]

I have a tanita and an omron. Got the tanita first, then the omron after the tanita constantly told me I was 28% on the normal setting and 18% on the athlete setting. LOL

If you use an averaging method, you can get a more accurate result, wtih either model. The tanita came right in line with the omron when I used the averaging method. Here's a link that describes how to get the most accurate measurement:

http://theelitephysique.com/consultations/

Scroll down to the part that says "Information I need from you" and read #1.

 

[Imafitnessfreak]

I think measuring everyday is fine if you are doing so to get a weekly average. If you measure once a week, several things can affect the read out, especially TTOM. I measure once a week but have considered daily and working with the average but just haven't!

As for chucking the scale and doing everything in moderation as suggested a few posts up, that is great if your goals include living a reasonably fit and healthy lifestyle, one fitter than the average American. However, there are a lot of us here with much more intense goals and "every thing in moderation" doesn't cut it.

Depending on what your goals are, the definition of "moderation" will change. I, personally, find it to be a *flimsy* word!

 

[Rose11]

>The gold standard is the water displacement method, (which I
>have done) and it is not meant to be used daily.

Judy, that is true. I have a friend that gets this done I'd say every three months or so. I've been debating whether to buy a Tanita scale for awhile now and I never do it. I don't know how costly it is to have your body fat measured by the water displacement method, but I know it is worth it. I don't own any devices that measure bf; I just take my measurements at the end of the month and I also notice the way my clothes are fitting. I lift weights 3X a week, I do cardio at least 3X a week and I eat enough protein so I know I can't be losing muscle mass.

Suzanne, how come you're a size 6 pant and have a 27% bf? I think that's a little bit exaggerated. If you've been losing inches (you went from a size 10 to a size 6) how come you get that bf%? That would be implying that you're losing muscle mass. If you've been lifting weights and eating properly I think that you should be in the healthy range (15-25% bf) by now. This is one reason I'm afraid to go to get diet advice from a nutritionist or dietician. I'm scared they're going to tell me I weigh more than I really do or that my bf% is higher than it really is. I'm not saying yours is like that or that all of them are like that, but it has been known to happen.

 

[benvonwojo]

Yeah, She realizes now that the scale she brought in is for inactive adults or children, which is definitely not me. My heartrate is under 60 so se should have brought the athlete scale. Anyway, I ate and drank before going to the appointment so its artificially high according to the instructions. It is also PMS/TTOM when I went. Not a great time to get bodyfat checked on a scale. Anyhoo, I was depressed then, but I do realize there is a large margin of error here. The thing is I can see my inercostal muscles/outer obliques which I find hard to believe would be possible if I was 27 % bodyfat. I would say in the low 20's though and definitely room for improvement.