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Body Fat %

  • 01-07-2007 7:38pm
    #1
    loodles
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 53 ✭✭


    I'm looking for some opinions as i'm a bit worried about this. I had my body fat checked in my gym about 8 months ago and it was 46%. I'm 5ft1 and 9st 13. I didn;t think much of it at the time as I don't look obese but reading the boards here and other sites i realised that for a woman it should be approx 23%. I went back lastweek and had it checked again, its 44.4%.:eek: The instucter was visably confused by this and told me not to worry, it must be wrong, he could tell by looking at me that it can't be correct. To satisy my curioristy i bought a body fat scales just to see and it told me it was 40%.
    Is this something I should be seriously worried about. I am trying to lose weight, approx a stone and attend the gym at least 3 times a week whilst following weight watchers, however to have the recommended body fat % - would i need to be losing more than a stone. I'm a size 10-12 at the mo and think if i lost more than a stone it wouldn;t suit me. Any advice appreciated!?


Comments

  • #2
    fazerhead
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4 ✭fazerhead


    Hi Loodles,
    This does seem extraordinarly high for your weight and height. Is it possible that you are dehydrated? This will often cause a much higher body fat reading. Next time try drinking at least 3 litres of water the day before you weigh yourself again and see if that makes a difference. Also alot of body fat can be hidden - by this I mean around the internal organs. This is called essential body fat and its purpose is to protect the internal organs. Sometimes this can be quite high in unfit people but is very unlikely that it would add up to anything near as high as yours.
    Also, make sure not to eat for 3 hours before being weighed. Having food in your stomach and being dehydrated are the two main reasons for high readings.
    Hope this helps.


  • #3
    rubadub
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,387 ✭✭✭✭rubadub


    I take it this was one of those step on scales. I am shocked that a gym would even consider using these, they are crap.

    My mate has one, I must give it a go to see how crap they really are. One test would be stand on and get the reading, then pick up 20kg in a bag and see what readings you get, the other test I would try is sweaty feet. Hydration has a big effect on the readings too.

    Ask the "instructor" if they have calipers to measure your BF properly


  • #4
    loodles
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 53 ✭✭loodles


    I usually drink 2-3 litres a day of water. He used a hand held machine and then i tried my scales at home too. I will drink at least 3 litres today and try my machine at home and see what that says. I am not particulary unhealthy and do exercise at least 3 times a week so this is why I was so suprised!


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