Body fat calculating scales

[Dan9108]

I have a scale in my bathroom that calculates body fat %, h20% and weight of course. I weigh myself every morning. When I started, my body fat % was 23-24%. I have gone from 175lbs to 153lbs in a matter of 4-5 months (If you comment on my weight telling me to eat more I will pay no attention.) in a healthy manner. Sometimes when I finish running, I hop on out of curiosity and it says I am 18% body fat, but then later when I get on it says 22% body fat, this morning it said I was at 21% body fat. I feel that this is very inaccurate, has this happened to anybody else? I want a very precise body fat %, but is the only way to get measuring tape and measure every inch of myself? I don't know of any Bodpods in the area.

[smokinHawk]

i think it some how it reads your hydration level and calculates the body fat from that, so if your hydrated more or less it will give you different bodyfat readings, hence its inaccuracy.
though im not positive on how it works.

[Goodwinm]

Best way is to use calipers. Go to the doc. It's cheaper/free.

[smokinHawk]

since when are doctors free?

[Goodwinm]

here in the UK they are.... (Well our tax pays for it I guess)
appointments are free for advice or check ups.
Im on tax credits so I get all medication free. Dental, Sight, Doctors prescriptions.
Not bad.
how much do you pay for just a check up then?

[smokinHawk]

around $50 after insurance or so.

[Keith]

since when are doctors free?

Go Canada.

[smokinHawk]

Go Canada.

hence why your taxes are higher i suppose.
least we still have a choice, and hopefully get to keep that

[razorcut]

most gyms should have trainers that could give you a caliper-based reading. that would be the most accurate measure.

[Willie]

I have heard that calipers, even wielded by a pro, can be wildly inaccurate. Underwater weighing is probably the most accuarte measure you'll find, but you have to find a lab that can do it. I have a BIA (Bio-Electrical Impedance Analysis) scale as well, and I find it fluctuates, too.

I think you shouldn't be too concerned about the day-to-day readings, it's the overall trend that matters.

I weigh myself at the same time every day, but I only mark down the weight on Sunday. I weigh myself three times in a row, taking the average of them and mark it down on my chart. On Saturday, the scale may read 210 lbs at 18%, and Sunday read 208 @ 22%. As long as the overall trend shows a reduction, I'm not too concerned.

My day-to-day concern is how my pants are fitting! Waist measurement is a simple, easy way to keep your eye on the progress.

You'll know if you've been slacking on your work or slipping up on your diet.

Also, this sounds rather mundane, but be sure you have fresh batteries in your scale. It takes a lot of juice to jam electricity through you!

Good luck!