First of all, I want to thank you guys for your sweet words and prayers. I’m doing a little better today after having the last 24 hours to process some things. I’m still up in weight this morning (up 1) but I’m not going to dwell on that right now. Instead, I decided to go ahead and do my measurements. Once I calculated them, I figured it would be good to share the results because they prove that the scale is a very inaccurate representation of what is really going on…How so? Well, I’m so glad you asked.
The scale claims that I lost 22.4 lbs in the last 12 weeks. Sure, this is good but I was going for 24 lbs of fat as my goal. When I calculated my body fat (I average the results of 2 calculators) I was surprised to discover that I actually lost 26.17 lbs of body fat! What does this mean? It means that I gained 3.77 lbs of lean mass (which is good), something the scale can’t distinguish.
Overall, my measurements changed quite a bit in the last 12 weeks:
- Chest (-7cm)
- Waist (-12cm)
- Hips (-7.5cm)
- Thigh (-6cm)
- Arm (-3cm)
- Overall Body Fat (-8.5%)
So, if you still think it’s not worth the time to measure yourself every few weeks, think again. The scale is an “ok” way to measure your progress but it probably shouldn’t be your only way. Some take pictures (I do this too) and that’s good as well. Of course, depending on angle or how close you are to the camera, this can even skew the results when comparing the two. Measurements though, they speak the truth and when coupled with other forms of measurement (scale, photos, bf calculators…etc) you can really get the full picture of what your eating and exercise plan is doing for you (or not doing for you).
Blair —
That’s amazing!! Congrats
Which body fat caculators did you use? The two ones that are on the sidebar here?
Comment by Anne — March 27, 2007 @ 5:46 am
Thanks Anne
Yes, I submitted those to Blest. I’ve been using them for years. I like to average them because they are usually about 2-4% different from each other.
Comment by Blair — March 27, 2007 @ 5:49 am
Wow Blair, you are doing great! That is awesome! I always keep track by using the scale, but after reading your post and seeing your measurements, I think I’m going to try taking my measurements as well.
Congratulations!
Comment by Cristina — March 27, 2007 @ 6:15 am
Way to go Blair. That’s awesome! I wish I had taken measurements at the beginning. But I didn’t. But I do know that my clothes are fitting so much better!
My gym has a body fat calculator - not as accurate, I’m sure - but still cool anyway. I’m finally in the “healthy” range by .1 of a point. Yeah!
Comment by Anita — March 27, 2007 @ 6:34 am
Cristina - yes, get out that measuring tape! One of the calculators in the side bar actually shows you where to measure. Thanks for the congrats
Anita - thank you! I know what you mean, I wish I had taken mine at my high weight. That’s awesome that your clothes are fitting better! Some of mine are too big now but I’m holding off for warmer weather before I replace them. Congrats on being in the healthy range now too.
Comment by Blair — March 27, 2007 @ 9:31 am
Blair - you are doing SOOOO AWESOME!!! I think you are very wise to not trust the numbers on the scale as the be all end all indicators. Weigh to go!!
Comment by Mandi — March 27, 2007 @ 3:01 pm
Great job, Blair!
Personally, it’s a good thing I didn’t go by measurements because I didn’t lose a single centimeter off my waist for over eight months. It’s finally starting to shrink now!
Keep up the good work!
Comment by Jana — March 27, 2007 @ 4:27 pm