Body Fat Monitoring Scale

[SusanT]

We just bought a body fat monitoring scale yesterday. Wow, what a wake up call!

Do any of you have these? Did it change the way you went about your fitness or weight management routine? How long did it take you to see a measurable change in body fat percentages?

[McSix]

I'm really confused by my similar (Tania?) scale. I haven't seen any real change in body fat in a year even though I work out at least 45 minutes six days a week. I do know that they have different versions, and I bought the "couch potato" version because I don't really consider myself any kind of athlete. It gives my body fat at 33%, even though I'm pretty muscular everywhere except my stomach, which refuses to give up the last 5 pounds. I'd love to hear what others have to say about this. Thanks for posting.

[food girl]

Is this a bioimpedence scale?

These measure how long it takes a weak electrical current to run through your body. From what I learned in school they are only marginally correct. If you are dehydrated it may show that your body fat has increased (fat contains less water than muscle), and vice versa, if you are over hydrated you may see a decrease in body fat.

Of course I would go a drink a huge glass of water and see if it changes!!

The most accurate body fat measurement is underwater weighing and the "bod pod". Both of these take into account your weight and how much space your body takes up. If you live near a university you might want to call them and see if they have any studies going on where you could have these done. I have been in the bod pod twice and it said exactly the same thing both times! grrrrrr

Lisa

[Dorothy]

I bought one of these scales not too long ago. It's given me readings between 24 and 30. It's true if you drink a lot of water it will show a lower percent. I would wonder too if I worked out for 45 minutes 6 days a week and it never changed! How discouraging.

[SusanT]

For those of you who said you worked out regularly but didn't have a big change - did you lose weight and inches, but the ratio stayed the same?

[McSix]

I just thought some more about this. I always weigh myself in the morning after exercise when I probably am dehydrated. I didn't realize that was important--maybe I should have read more of the directions! I'll try it at another time.

[McSix]

My weight has been steady since I got the scale, but I know I have gained a great deal of muscle. It's very obvious in my arms and legs. The whole thing is confusing. Thanks for everyone's responses.

[McSix]

Talk about making my day--thank you! thank you! I just couldn't see how my body fat could be as high as it said it was. Would you mind posting the issue date so I can track it down. Also, when I weighed myself at night (hydrated) as opposed to after exercise in the morning (very dehydrated), I lost 3 percentage points. I've tried it for three days now and it has been consistent. Thanks again for the information!

[donleyk]

I was just reading a review in Consumer Reports regarding the Tanita TBF-611. They say it consistently over-estimates body fat and that men should subtract 3 % points from their number and women 8 % points....

[This message has been edited by donleyk (edited 02-23-2001).]