How Water Can Affect Body Fat Readings
When you step on the scale you are getting an accurate weigh in of your total person. Unfortunately this basic number doesn’t give you much insight into your actual measurement of health. Getting accurate body fat readings can reveal to you the percentage of fat that your body is comprised of, letting you know if your weight is indeed a healthy weight for you. Understanding how to interpret how water affects you body fat reading is an important step in getting a full picture of your well-being.
You body composition represents your physiological make-up in a ratio of your lean body mass to your fat body mass. Regardless of what the scale says if your fat body mass is too far in disproportion to you lean body mass you are in line for some serious health issues. Having too much fat can that heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes and other serious illness may be looming on the horizon.
Often by simply analyzing your weight you are subject to missing some of the implications that might be present in the larger view. Many people who believe themselves to be in good health are in fact not. Even if your weight is low or your dress size small you could potentially have an unknown, high fat body mass which makes you subject to having larger health issues. On the other side of this, there is the potential for some people to consider themselves overweight, when they may in fact see a large number on the scale while still remaining very lean and quite healthy. In short, the measurement of your weight isn’t everything.
Your body fat is pretty water dense. It is comprised of about 10% water. This means that your changing level of hydration can have a significant effect on the body fat reading that you get.
This is especially significant after completing a vigorous workout routine. If you measure your fat body mass after sweating profusely you will inevitably have a lower percentage of body fat. Your fat is typically going to be the same as it was before your workout, your body is just less some valuable water.
Having body fat reading performed will give you the best insight into your present state of health. Being in the know about how water can affect the results of these reading can give you a clear understanding of why this method of assessment works, and when to have it performed so that it can be most accurate. Knowing the composition of your body can help you structure your workout and diets according to your actual health needs.
Angie Schumacher is a Certified Fitness Professional who trains clients in her home and is a Women's Boot Camp Instructor in Colorado. She is the author of The Fat Blasting Boot Camp Program and has offered a one stop website to help you with all of your health and fitness needs. Please visit www.BuildingABetterU.com to find exactly what you are looking for!
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It’s best not to obsess over the scale. As women our bodies retain water in different amounts throughout the course of the month. Most women experience the greatest water retion 1-2 weeks leading up to their menstrual cycle. That being said, it’s best to take a reading once a month preferably the following the menstrual cycle when your water levels are back to normal. I urge my clients to use their clothes as an indicator of progress. How your clothes are fitting will tell you well you are doing, simple as that!
Monica Tangry, CPT
http://myfitbodycoach.com/
Body fat percentage is truly a better indicator of overall health than just weight alone. Thanks for pointing out the difference hydration levels can make when doing a body fat measurement.
Deb´s last blog ..How Does Diet Soda Make You Gain Weight?
If we come to know the functions of water then we would use water all the time. Yes its true, water can make your health absolutely fit and you wont need any kind of artificial resources.
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Thats great information. I never knew that hydration affected fat loss measurements that much. But your explanation was sound. I guess one has to measure body fat levels first thing in the morning. The measurements should be done at the same conditions. This information would be very useful for people who take regular body fat measurements.
Paramjit´s last blog ..Identifying a Natural Weight Loss Diet
Really interesting! For some cool ideas on how you can take charge of your own health care, check out Whatstherealcost.org
Another great method of keeping track of progress is to have a pair of “indicator jeans”. If your fitness program is on track, the jeans will get looser over time. Conversely, if they are staying the same of getting tighter, it’s time for a change. Just make sure you DON’T WASH THEM!
Paulina´s last blog ..Coconut Oil Weight Loss
I constantly preach that B.M.I. (body mass index which uses a height to weight ration in metrics) is a poor measure of health. Although, generally speaking it gives an average of those at health risk for heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and stroke to name a few. Body composition, body fat %, is far superior and more accurate for individuals w/ higher bone density and w/ a higher amount of muscle. Most individuals who are in great shape and extremely fit may be obese or at high risk based on the B.M.I.
Several ways to measure your body compositon:
Hydrodensitometry Weighing (Underwater Weighing)which is very expensive and very accurate, Calipers (Anthropometry- Skinfold Measurements, and BIA (Bioelectrical Impedance). The BIA is usually the least expensive and most common way to measure body fat, but is the least accurate of the three when all are done correctly.
Nick Outlaw´s last blog ..Personal Training in North Raleigh, NC
I’d also add that you should be aware that your bathroom scales mightn’t always be telling the truth. On digital bathroom scales, low batteries and faulty AC adapters can be the number 1 cause of scale malfunction and inaccuracy.
A scale will perform slowly, or read inaccurately when it has low batteries. A faulty AC adapter can cause your scale to act unstable with numbers “jumping” all over the place. If you’re not sure replace your batteries with good quality ones and check if you find a difference in results.
barry´s last blog ..Free Report – Discover The Power Of Green Tea
Thanks for the post about the difference between hydration level and fats measurement.
jeff@muscle mass building´s last blog ..Mass Building Workouts Without a Gym
Measuring body fat is so much more reliable than just finding out your BMI when trying to get a comprehensive view of your overall health. This info is so helpful!
This is really good info, thanks!
Kody´s last blog ..Tony Horton live on Fox and Friends June 6 2010
Solid article Angie! Way to spread the truth of fitness to the masses…
Cheers!
Patrick Hitches
Patrick Hitches´s last blog ..Comment on Did you say Breakfast Smoothies by Patrick Hitches
Thanks for the information about how water can affect your body fat reading. Thanks for sharing.