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

[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

[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*