Howdy, Stranger!
Categories
Options
Body Fat
Hi all,
I recently came back from holiday to find that I was substantially heavier (8lb) and slower than before I went away.
I have now almost one month later shifted all this extra weight, but according to my scales my body fat is still as it was at the higher weight!
Before going away it was at 15%, now it is always at 18%, even though I have got down to the same weight. I always weigh at the same time of the day too as recommended.
This does seem on the higher side of acceptable, my training partner is the same height and 2lb heavier but is always 14/15%.
Any ideas as I am sure it cant be helping my running.
Thanks
I recently came back from holiday to find that I was substantially heavier (8lb) and slower than before I went away.
I have now almost one month later shifted all this extra weight, but according to my scales my body fat is still as it was at the higher weight!
Before going away it was at 15%, now it is always at 18%, even though I have got down to the same weight. I always weigh at the same time of the day too as recommended.
This does seem on the higher side of acceptable, my training partner is the same height and 2lb heavier but is always 14/15%.
Any ideas as I am sure it cant be helping my running.
Thanks
The materials in this website are in no way intended to replace the professional medical care, advice, diagnosis or treatment of a doctor, qualified personal trainer, therapist, dietitian or nutritionist Runners's World, Part of the Hearst UK well-being network © Copyright 2017
Comments
http://www.fatlosstips.com/
Will look at the link later, ta.
Vrap previously reported upto 5% error in the stand on Tanita scales which is far better than the hand held ones.
Seriously, if you've shifted 8lb in a month then it's unlikely that you've only lost fat. You've probably shed a bit of muscle protein and a chunk out of your glycogen stores too - which might explain the higher body fat percentage.
Alternatively, the accessible forms of body fat measurement (Tanita scales and Omron hand-held monitors) are dismally unreliable. As far as those machines are concerned, the difference between 15% and 18% is probably within their margin of error! And both figures are well within the normal range for a man.
Do you FEEL fatter than you were before? If not, throw the scales away. If you fail the "wobble test", eat plenty, aim for a carb-rich athlete's diet, and increase your training a little, making sure you include some resistance work. But I'm sure you're just fine.
Cheers, V-rap.
FOR ANYBODY WHO'S PERCENTAGE BODY FAT IS AROUND 15 TO 18% (WHO CARES?) I DON'T THINK THESE WEIGH SCALES ARE MUCH USE EXCEPT AS AN INDICATION OF WHAT YOU ARE DOING BY CONFIRMING THE RESULT OF THE MIRROR TEST.
AS FOR YOUR TRAINING PARTNER BEING 2LB HEAVIER BUT 15% BODY FAT A SIMPLE EXPLANATION WOULD BE THAT HE/SHE HAS MORE MUSCLE DEVELOPMENT SO YOU NEED TO DO SOME GYM WORK
Well my scales still say 18%, but I dont care anymore as since I posted the original message I have knocked off over half a minute off both my 5km & 10km PBs, so whether the scales are rubbish or not I am happy
Thanks for all comments relating to this also.