How do you...

Okay exactly how would you go about figuring how many pounds of fat you lost. I know how to get my bodyfat %. I am just wondering how do you know like how many pounds of fat you lost or how much muscle you have gained. Is this possible? Does this make since to anyone?
 
1 - see a personal trainer to test your fat% with calipers.
2 - get someone to measure you
3 - looking in the mirror
 
Proper Critic said:
Okay exactly how would you go about figuring how many pounds of fat you lost. I know how to get my bodyfat %. I am just wondering how do you know like how many pounds of fat you lost or how much muscle you have gained. Is this possible? Does this make since to anyone?

Start with your original weight and bf% number. I'll use mine for example.

My original numbers:134 pounds, 21.4% bf (as of 02/07/06)

134 x 21.4% = 28.676 pounds of fat (round to 29 pounds of fat)

29 pounds of fat - 134 pounds total weight = 105 pounds of lean mass

Then you basically do the same calculation over again when you have lost the weight and/or have had your body fat analyzed again.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you need help with anything else.
 
unfortunatly that calculation is only any good if everything is constant.

Has critic had her fat% tested with calipers or just worked out with a calculation.

You have to take in to account water retention, urine and excrement being held, amount of blood held... basicaly the only way you can find out is to see a PT. However, the question is

"does it really matter" as long as your fit, healthy and look good there is nothing else you need to know. Dont get obsessed with the numbers cos they mean nothing.
 
I had my orignal BF% done by a personal trainer with calipers. I also have one of those electronic scales that measure BF% which seems to be pretty acurate as it was right on with what the trainer came up with. Next week I will have my BF% tested again by the trainer. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it is still right on with the scale. Thanks your math worked great and made me feel really good about what I am doing. I have lost since the very begining about 8 pounds of BF and apparently gained a pound of muscle! WhoppY I really needed that boost of cofidence too!
 
Anybody will tell you that the scales are rubbish.

When I was 150lbs 3 diffrent sets of scales told me I was 16, 20 and 27% fat when the calipers showed I was 9%.
 
There is a margin of error with body fat measurements but it is a more dependable answer than just knowing your weight. Keep the good work up and continue your progress.
 
Thanks Lynn
You seem to give some really good advice on this site. I was just wanting to know because I needed a boost. I mean I feel better and I feel like I look better but sometimes you just really want some numbers and the scale has proven to be pretty useless to me and tends to bring me down when I step on it. I am going to throw the dang thing away because all it does is make me feel bad. I am trying not to weigh myself anymore but sometimes I just can't help it and I am on the scale before I know it. LOL Thanks again for the positive words!
 
No problem. Thanks for your kind words too :)

Fitness and nutrition has become a billion dollar industry. People say this and then they contradict themselves and say that. So my advice is to always K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple Silly.

Go with what you know and do your best each time. You'll reach your goals without problem.
 
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