Monthly visit and bf% ?

[chinadoll]

Does your menstural cycle effect your bf%? I know that it effects your weight and causes you to retain water, but how does this change you bf%? I have a tanita scale (I know that they are not accurate, but I use it to track my progress. By the way has anyone compaired this process to bod pod or caliper? If so how off is it?)

I have a wedding on Saturday, I am due to start on either the 6th or the 7th and I am soooo bloated. I have upped my cardio from 30min to 45min. Lowered my carbs and upped my water and protein to try not to feel so huge. But it dosen't seem to be working .

Does anyone have any suggestions ?

chinadoll

 

[Gladiola]

I have a tanita scale (I know that they are not accurate, but I use it to track my progress.

It is not even useful for that, unfortunately.

One of the clubs where I teach aerobics has a sorta weight loss clinic attached. They have a tanita scale that is huge - fancy thing.

For some absurd reason, not only do you have to enter your age, gender, & height, but you enter your BODY TYPE! One woman typed in that I was 'average' body type (I don't think so!) & it read me as 24% fat. Then I asked her to set it to 'athletic', got immediately right back on the scale, & it read me as 20.3%.

 

[chinadoll]

Would you say that it reads your bf% high or low?

 

[Gladiola]

Would you say that it reads your bf% high or low?

Good question. I still have no idea what my bf really is (never had it read again any other way) - but I would honestly say that it just reads it wrong. I don't know if it is typically more likely to read over more often than under - either way, it's just plain not accurate.
If you really want a #, I'd get a caliper reading by someone experienced. Otherwise, try measurements or just use visual, fit of clothes, pinching here & there, etc.

 

[Cheetarah]

Would you say that it reads your bf% high or low?

It typically reads lean athletes too high. For example, I caliper out right around 15% bf but my Tanita scale almost always reads me at 20% bf.

 

[BrickGirl]

Mine at the gym read me as 23% bodyfat, look at my avatar, those are what my abs look like. 23% hmmm, must be all in my head or something

 

[wilson6]

Tanita uses BIA and is dependent on hydration status and electrolyte balance. For some they work, for others they are way off. I'd trust them far less for a lean athletic population, particularly women.

Use a Bod Pod or UW. But remember, if you're retaining water, your % body fat will appear higher. 2 kg of water will result in a one kg gain of muscle and a one kg gain of fat and will increase the relative fat percent. Never check your bodyfat close to your period. You're wasting your time.

W6

 

[chinadoll]

Wheew, I was at the verge of insanity, I was hoping it was because of my period. Thank everyone for advice.

Chinadoll

 

[katz]

I had my bodyfat checked two days before my period 23%. A week later 17%. I can hold ten pounds of water.

 

[Cheetarah]

Mine at the gym read me as 23% bodyfat, look at my avatar, those are what my abs look like. 23% hmmm, must be all in my head or something

Yeah, exactly. BrickGirl I love your abs! That's just how I'd like mine to look. I've got the six but they're not near as ripped as yours are, I'm aiming to get there! Heck, for that matter your whole physique rocks, you look great in those pics I saw of you at 12% bf. You look like where I'm trying to get! Thanks for being an inspiration!