Why the Scale Lies - The Importance of Measuring

[studyinscarlet]

I have not been a member of this board for very long but I do spend a lot of time here because its such a wonderful place full of wonderful people. One thing I have noticed is that so many people here are basing their sucess/lack thereof on what the scale says alone. I have read so many stories of people on the brink of giving up or doubting themselves just because the scale doesn't move, so I thought I'd share my story. I joined this forum on May 11th of this year. During that week, I familiarized myself with this board, I read the book, and I prepared myself by going shopping, clearing out my cabinets, and doing a sort of trial induction. During that week I lost 2 pounds. The next week, I started induction and I lost 4 pounds that week. Since then I have not lost 1 single pound. That's right, not 1 pound for six weeks. The reason I haven't given up? I measured myself, and since I started I have lost 20.5 inches off of my body. I even won first place in the 6WEC. I also recently bought a body fat scale and now I am also tracking my body fat percent and muscle mass, so I have clear proof that I am replacing fat with muscle. I recently read about a condition called normal weight obesity and the fact that you can have a normal BMI and still be considered obese is enough to convince me that weighing alone is not enough.
Mayo Clinic - Normal Weight Obesity: An Emerging Risk Factor for Heart and Metabolic Problems
At first when I wasn't losing any weight I was discouraged too but then I realized that I could care less if the scale moves if I am shrinking. I was just commenting to another member today who has been here much longer about how we weigh about the same and are about the same height and she wears a size 7 while I am only just now fitting myself into a 10. When you walk down the street, people don't see your weight floating above your head, they just see how you look. Its funny, my friends keep telling me "you look like you've lost weight," and I keep saying "actually I haven't." What they really mean is, "you look smaller," and I am. So before you get discouraged or decide to order a large pizza, remember that there are other, more effective ways of measuring your progress.

[flpooh19701]

Excellent post! I completely agree. Thank goodness we don't walk around with our weight floating above our head! That made me laugh because it's exactly how most people feel. I have a bad habit, that I am breaking, of relying on that dang scale. However, I am accepting that the measuring tape is a much better guide and use it often. As I up my exercise each time I usually gain a lb or two and it frustrates me tremendously BUT then I change my thinking and remember that the muscle I am building is leaner and I am helping myself SHRINK. Great post!

[fat4now]

Very nicely written information. Encouraging as well. Thanks, this should be stickied in my opinion.

f4n

[Greeneggs&ham]

Excellent post!

The beauty of that linked article is that not only weight, but BMI is shown to be not as important as body fat percentage. I personally think my BMI requirement of 185 seems amazingly low (haven't been under 200 since perhaps 8th grade!). I find it hard to believe that an 6' 1" athlete with 15% body fat who weighs 210 is somehow "moderately overweight" per a generic BMI rating (not saying I am an athlete -- LOL!).

Now the follow up question is: "How accurate are the scales that measure body fat sold for household use?" If they are accurate to within +-2% I may consider upgrading my scale!

[flpooh19701]

I've wondered the same thing about the body fat scales. If you find out please post it!

[sugarsack]

per a personal trainer friend of mine the hand held body fat indicator only really measures the body fat in the upper body / the body fat scale you stand on only really measures the body fat inthe lower body.. something to do with electricity and path of least resistance -however, just like your scale vs. doctor scale or scale at the gym.. if you are consistantly using the same device, and you are seeing it go down, it doesnt really matter how "acurate" it is, its a good measurement

[gman]

Great post! It's not ALL about the weight. I have seen measurements drop and a change in the clothes I fit into, with only about a 12-lb. weight loss, about 5%. I look and feel a lot better. The exercise is toning me up and adding muscle. The point of Atkins is that it is a way of life that improves and maintains your overall health, and weight is just one measurement.

[studyinscarlet]

The body fat scale I have is the Taylor 5596G. I bought it based on this blog article:
Taylor 5596G Fat Water Muscle Bone Scale - Low Carb
and also on the fact that it got very positive ratings on Amazon. Its also very reasonably priced. I don't have a way of testing its accuracy unless I were to have my body fat tested by a doctor or at a gym (my gym doesn't offer it) but it is very consistent. I really like it.

[Lisa]

Great post! Congrats on losing 20 inches!!!

[carbless_in_seattle]

yay great post!!!!!!!

it's so true. My friend Chelsea has been working out rigorously for months now, she's way smaller, and wears smaller jeans, she's rock solid and you can see tons of muscle definition that she didn't used to have. she wears a size 6/8 and is 162lbs. she said it doesnt matter how much she works out, she's been 162 pounds for 4 months. she's replacing fat with heavier muscle.

I can't wait to get my new scale!

I was just thinking the same thing, that up until now the scale and how my clothes fit is my only indicator, and I'd have to guess if i was retaining water, etc. I can't wait to try and just work on my body fat% and not my weight number.