Mr. Silver says "Silver tried to kill me!!!"

[HillSlugger]

Hey Mr. Silver,
I was reading lately that they are now saying the BMI numbers can be misleading. Apparently a BMI sometimes classifies athletic people with muscles as being "overweight" when it's actually muscle mass being measured, not fat. I don't know a lot about it, but you might want to take BMI with a grain of salt- especially if you start losing fat and gaining muscle. At any rate, BMI is a subject that is being questioned these days.

I think the thing is that lean muscle actually weighs more than fat does (volume-volume). So, two people who both weigh 120 pounds and are the same height, one lean and one fat, would get the same exact BMI calculation but actually have very different percentage body fat. So, it's very possible to increase your fitness, decrease your body fat, add lean muscle, and see no real change on the scale or your BMI calculation.

At my next checkup I'm going to ask my doctor if she has another way to estimate/calculate my body fat.

[LBTC]

We bought a Tanita scale (back when DH was making millworker money) that measures fat percentage, muscle mass, calculates metabolic age - very nifty! We both realize that it is probably not an accurate measure of fat, but that by consistently using the same measuring device we will at least see if we are moving in the right direction....

The entry level models were pretty affordable (of course we got the next to highest model available) and there are few brands out there.

I think it's a great measuring tool and intend to use it this winter training, which started today with snowshoeing and the objectives setting will happen tomorrow starting with measurements and scale info.

Hugs and butteflies,
~T~

[Mr. Bloom]

Silver bought one about a year ago...it puts me at 23%. What's a good goal?

Silver is 19%.

[LBTC]

Well, you're both better than me and DH!! Well done! Maybe just try to catch up with Silver! (and I'm glad those scales are not very accurate. From what I've read Silver is already below the healthy range for fat %age.)
If your's measures muscle mass also, you'll want to set a goal for that to increase, too!

Best of luck,
~T~

[silver]

LBTC, I think that you don't have to have a 360 page but just a Yahoo account. I'm not sure though. I don't have a 360 page, just a yahoo account.

[Mr. Bloom]

So, yesterday it said my body fat is 23%.

Today, it says it's 25%; 10 minutes later, it says 24%.

I need to simply get off the scale and let the size of my second chin be my guide

[mimitabby]

We spent almost 100 bucks on a scale like that and it says my dh has 7% body fat. that might be true about his feet. we dont believe it about the rest of his body. but it is an accurate weight scale.

[Wahine]

Those scales work by sending a small electrical current through the body. It then measures how long it takes the current to travel, in the case of the scale, from one foot to the other. Fat is an electrical insulator, so theoretically if you have more fat the current should travel slower. The problem lies in the fact that many factors affect electrical impedance - hydration, dryness of the skin, the way that fat is distributed in the body and what part of the foot the current is going through.

So yes, they are extremely unreliable, even the expensive ones. If you want to make the reading as reliable as possible make sure your feet are slightly damp and that you have no lotion on them, find a way to make sure you are always standing in the same location on the scale (be as exact as possible), and try to ensure that your hydration is the same. The easiest way to do that is to follow a hydration routine and weigh yourself at the same time of the day - morning is better.

It still won't give you a true body fat percentage but you'll be able to use it as a tool to tell if you're heading in the right direction as mentioned by LBTC.

Personally, I don't bother with them. Too inaccurate

[SouthernBelle]

I personally tracked body measurements. Waist, hips, thighs for me. Guys might not need to do hips. BMI is such an unreliable tracker as it doesn't account for muscle or lack thereof. & I agree with wahine on the scale thing. It is totally dependant on your level of hydration.

[bikerchick68]

welcome Mr. Silver! This whole post is cracking me up! As for me... I'm a life time Weight Watcher (12 yrs!) who this year finally fell off the wagon. I gained 20lbs over 2006 due to my own negligence, stress and medical stuff... all excuses for eating too much and not exercising enough. So, I am now aware again of every single thing I put into my body...

For me, I don't worry about BMI or percentages... I just want to look and feel good. I know if I walk and ride regularly I will fit into the size clothes I want to wear... not nearly scientific enough for some... but it works for me... and my doc is happy with it too.

Go get 'em Mr. Silver... and I'm with ya on this too!

[IFjane]

Welcome and Happy New Year, Mr. Silver! I'm behind you all the way, cheering you on! I hope you (and I) can both attain our goals for 2007.

As for me, I'm with you bikerchick - I don't worry about weight or BMI - I know what size I want to be and I feel good when I'm there. I let my clothes be my guide. (and right now I'm not there )

[Brandi]

welcome Mr Silver! So what happens if all our dh's want to sign up? We can call them Team testosterone! The T T's. I am cracking myself up! Any way welcome and right on with trying to get yourself in better shape. you sound like you will do it. But we are always here. Hey maybe you should go to the "getting to know you" thread we send everyone else new there.

[Bikingmomof3]

We spent almost 100 bucks on a scale like that and it says my dh has 7% body fat. that might be true about his feet. we dont believe it about the rest of his body. but it is an accurate weight scale.

Mimi I choked on my coffee reading this. I think we have the same scale.
You are right, it is quite accurate for weight, unfortunately. *sigh*

[Mr. Bloom]

So what happens if all our dh's want to sign up? We can call them Team testosterone!

I doubt that half the DH's out there are man enough or secure enough in their manhood to hang out on this forum.

I'm 5'7" (barely) with a wife who's 5'8"...I had to become secure in my masculinity a long time ago...

[silver]

Are you rounding up again?

Luv ya!

PS: you did great at dinner tonight!