CrystalJo74's Journal, 03 Apr 22

Crystal, I think using the scale is a great resource! With scales, it's not so much about the accuracy as it is consistency. If you're trying to lose body fat, and the scale says it's going down, I think they can be trusted. I think even body calipers are useful in the same way. So long as it's the same person does it every time, then you can trust the results 😄 

I use one of those online calculators which take into account hip size etc... Not anymore accurate than some of the other methods ... but something... I like using measuring tape and clothes to measure progress 

Liv001 Do you use Calculator.Net? 

Yes that is the one Brigit. The one reason I want to pay some attention to fat mass is that the current theory is that we can only lose a maximum of 31 calories worth of every pound of fat we have so that means if I eat too few calories and still losing I am losing musclemass and that is a no no for me. This is also why I eat more and more as I lose and never lower it 

Liv001 thanks for info! I'm trying to lose just the fat and actually gain some muscle.  

You can do it Brigit. It gets harder, but not impossible, to gain muscle as you get older..so do it while you can 

This picture is definitely a great reminder of how not only the same weight can look so different on people of varying heights but also particularly how wight distribution can result in two women who are the same height and weight carrying that weight very differently. I tend to do better when I'm enthusiastic yet realistic about what I can accomplish.  

@3dkids...thank you so much for sharing your thoughts & insights😊 The battle truly is in the mind, isn't it? That's partly why I share these infographics, because sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words and might come to 'mind' when we most need it. Blessings to you as we 'battle on'!!⚔ 

@asarver...CALIPERS!! So THAT'S what they're called! 🤣🤣 I consistently log the stats from my fancy scale and believe it is a reliable source as far as tracking 'over time'. That's what's concerning to me actually...I just went back in my records to January of this year when my BF%=18.4 with BMI of 26.1 and muscle@ 112.8. TODAY my BF%=30.9 with BMI of 24.5 and muscle @88.2!! This doesn't look like I'm going in the right direction to me🤔🤦‍♀️ 

to me that January reading looks wrong. that is a fairly low BF mass and you would be "bony" with a thigh gap at that number. Try the calculator net thing and see what number it gives you 

What's WORSE...I just used the calculator.net app and it said my BF=36.8% (obese)! I am stunned. I have gone down 3 sizes in jeans & tops but this calculator has really thrown me for a freakin LOOP! 

I think my figure looks most like the lady in the middle, btw (except I'm only 5' 2.5")  

I don't think it matters what it says. Just be consistent with how you measure (hip, wrist waiste etc) and then keep an eye on it. If it says you have a nice amount of fat you are not in danger of losing lean body mass as you lower your weight. Which is the only important fact... all the rest is irrelevant and mostly guesswork... except the weight on your scale 

I like the graphics but it would be more subjective/objective if it was on a woman of the same height. Comparing weight on different height has little value. 

CrystalJo these online tools only give you an idea. A doctor that you trust will give you a more accurate evaluation.  

Is 'lean body mass' the same as 'muscle'? 

on the calculator.net it is everything that is not fat or water. So body weight minus fat minus water. But there are different definitions floating around 

This is what Dr. Google says: People often use the terms “lean body mass” and “muscle mass” interchangeably, but they're not the same. Lean body mass includes muscle mass, as well as bones and bodily fluid. Muscle mass is the size of your muscles. 

I am 4'11 at 230, this puts things in perspective for me. Thanks for posting! 

THANK YOU, each one, for offering comments and info about this post. I surely don't have all the answers...but together...things are a little easier to understand, right? 💙👍💙