Tanita body fat scales

[Take Off U]

I got one of these and it is my impression that the thing has
been creeping up in its calibration for body fat. It is a
couple of years old. I current way about 222 I am 6'1" have a
medium to large frame I have a waist of about 37 inches and am
reasonably strong though obviously a long way from my fitness
target. It says I have 32% body fat which is better than the
42% that it said I had before starting to exercise again, but
christ that seems high to me. Does anybody know if I really
could have that much bodyfat or if these scales have a
tendency to creep up in calibration. I recently hcecked my
niece who is an 8 year old that is a stick, almost scarily
thin and it said she was 16%. Well, if it doesn't go up too
fast I can use it fore relative improvements in body
composition. At least it was cheap.

[Garrett Al]

Don't use it as a single source for your bodyfat. You should
get some calipers and use them, they will be more acurate.

If you read the directions for the impedence scales, they say
you have to measure your bodyfat only when you haven't eaten
for so many hours, or haven't drank for too many hours, blah
blah blah. I would just use it for a guideline as to your
weight loss.

"Take off UrPants to reply" <michalchik@aol.comUrPants> wrote
in message
news:20030419234619.19060.00000313@mb-m02.aol.com...
> I got one of these and it is my impression that the thing
> has been
creeping up
> in its calibration for body fat. It is a couple of years
> old. I current
way
> about 222 I am 6'1" have a medium to large frame I have a
> waist of about
37
> inches and am reasonably strong though obviously a long
> way from my
fitness
> target. It says I have 32% body fat which is better than the
> 42% that it
said I
> had before starting to exercise again, but christ that seems
> high to me.
Does
> anybody know if I really could have that much bodyfat or if
> these scales
have a
> tendency to creep up in calibration. I recently hcecked my
> niece who is an
8
> year old that is a stick, almost scarily thin and it said
> she was 16%.
Well, if
> it doesn't go up too fast I can use it fore relative
> improvements in body composition. At least it was cheap.

[Michelle]

What I did is use a bodyfat calculator on the web that uses
body part measurements to calculate bodyfat. Both the scale
and the measurement calculations were a couple of percentages
off (in my case, the scale was a bit lower than the
measurements). It'll give you an idea if your scale is
accurate or not.

Michelle

On 20 Apr 2003 03:46:19 GMT, michalchik@aol.comUrPants (Take
off UrPants to reply) wrote:

>I got one of these and it is my impression that the thing has
>been creeping up in its calibration for body fat. It is a
>couple of years old. I current way about 222 I am 6'1" have a
>medium to large frame I have a waist of about 37 inches and
>am reasonably strong though obviously a long way from my
>fitness target. It says I have 32% body fat which is better
>than the 42% that it said I had before starting to exercise
>again, but christ that seems high to me. Does anybody know if
>I really could have that much bodyfat or if these scales have
>a tendency to creep up in calibration. I recently hcecked my
>niece who is an 8 year old that is a stick, almost scarily
>thin and it said she was 16%. Well, if it doesn't go up too
>fast I can use it fore relative improvements in body
>composition. At least it was cheap.

[Dick]

Michelle wrote:
> What I did is use a bodyfat calculator on the web that uses
> body part measurements to calculate bodyfat. Both the scale
> and the measurement calculations were a couple of
> percentages off (in my case, the scale was a bit lower than
> the measurements). It'll give you an idea if your scale is
> accurate or not.
>
> Michelle
>

I did the same thing and all of the bodyfat calulators were
consistent with what my Tanita body fat scale shows and quite
frankly I have quite a bit of confidence in the accuracy of
the scale after making these comparisons.

Dick

[Tom Morley]

In article <b81r3b$l7o$1@news.chatlink.com>, Dick
<Dick@NoSpam.com> wrote:

> Michelle wrote:
> > What I did is use a bodyfat calculator on the web that
> > uses body part measurements to calculate bodyfat. Both the
> > scale and the measurement calculations were a couple of
> > percentages off (in my case, the scale was a bit lower
> > than the measurements). It'll give you an idea if your
> > scale is accurate or not.
> >
> > Michelle
> >
>
> I did the same thing and all of the bodyfat calulators were
> consistent with what my Tanita body fat scale shows and
> quite frankly I have quite a bit of confidence in the
> accuracy of the scale after making these comparisons.
>
> Dick

The tonita, like any estimator is accurate for some and
inacurate for others. For some the Tonita is not only
inaccurate, but gives wildly diverging answers based on
hydration levels.

OTOH, if hydration is kept reasonably level, the Tonita can
correctly (used every week or so) detect trends, even if the
numbers are completely wrong.

--
Tom Morley | morley@math.gatech.edu | Same roads,
tmorley@bmtc.mindspring.com | Same rights,
http://www.math.gatech.edu/~morley | Same rules.
ICQ: 24798603 AIM: DocTDM |

[Hey You]

On Mon, 21 Apr 2003 19:43:19 -0400,
tmorley@bmtc.mindspring.com (Tom Morley) wrote:

>In article <b81r3b$l7o$1@news.chatlink.com>, Dick
><Dick@NoSpam.com> wrote:
>
>> Michelle wrote:
>> > What I did is use a bodyfat calculator on the web that
>> > uses body part measurements to calculate bodyfat. Both
>> > the scale and the measurement calculations were a couple
>> > of percentages off (in my case, the scale was a bit lower
>> > than the measurements). It'll give you an idea if your
>> > scale is accurate or not.
>> >
>> > Michelle
>> >
>>
>> I did the same thing and all of the bodyfat calulators were
>> consistent with what my Tanita body fat scale shows and
>> quite frankly I have quite a bit of confidence in the
>> accuracy of the scale after making these comparisons.
>>
>> Dick
>
>The tonita, like any estimator is accurate for some and
>inacurate for others. For some the Tonita is not only
>inaccurate, but gives wildly diverging answers based on
>hydration levels.
>
>OTOH, if hydration is kept reasonably level, the Tonita can
>correctly (used every week or so) detect trends, even if the
>numbers are completely wrong.

michalchik,

I have one and live by it. But remember it estimates BF% by
estimating hydration levels. Hydration levels change quite
often from day to day, and within the day. Fluid intake,
alcohol, weather conditions, intake of salts, activity levels,
medications, women's cycles, all have an effect on hydration
levels and thus BF% estimation. Note that when I weigh myself
immediately when I wake up, I weigh 2 lbs less than my 5PM
weight, but my BF% is 18-19% instead of my 5PM 15% estimate.

It is necessary to get several other estimates of %BF using
other sources and learn when the scale is most reliable.

I follow the guidlines in my manual. I exercise from 11:30/12
noon to about 1:00 PM, and shower. Then I measure my BF% at
about 5:00 PM before dinner. This gives consistant estimates,
dropping slowly along with weight loss. Using fat/(fat+lean) =
%BF as my weight has fallen, the scale's estimates seem
reasonable as my weight drops.

Spring 2001, I had an 11 point caliper test by two trainers,
and a dunk test. All including the Tanita gave BF% around
17.6-18.2%. By weightlifting, xtrainers,swimming, so on, my
BF% has fallen to 15% since.

[Guitarzan]

Nikko wrote:
> I'm thinking of putting down the dough for a Tanita scale
> with body
fat
> monitor. I'm guessing most people here would prefer to rely
> on
calipers for
> measuring body fat but I don't have anyone to use those on
> me and I'm
not
> sure if you can accurately use calipers on yourself.
> Does anyone
here know
> how reliable the body fat monitor that comes on the
> Tanita scales
things is?
> If it's inaccurate, is it at least consistently
> inaccurate? For
example, if
> it gives me a body fat percentage of 30% and then 12
> weeks later
gives me a
> percentage of 25%, if I can't trust those number to be
> exactly what
my body
> fat was/is, can I at least trust that I did indeed lower my
> body fat
5
> percentage points?
>
> Thanks for the help.

You'll find a lot of information if you search this group's
archives. I broke down and bought one about a month ago. I
like it. As Dally said, you need to follow some rules about
when to use the scale. Probably best to use it in the morning
after you urinate - that's what I do. I couldn't say how
accurate it is but it's reasonably consistent. I make and
record my measurements every day and see less than 0.5%
day-to-day variation. Mine is a TBF551, available at
costco.com for US$55.

Rich

[Guitarzan]

Hmmm, maybe I need to rethink how I take my measurement. It's
true, my product manual agrees with DRS, it says body fat
measurement is most accurate in the evening because the body
tends to dehydrate overnight. It also says the measurement
should be made at least three hours after eating (I'm assuming
that includes drinking) or exercise. It also says, if the
measurement isn't made in the evening, it should be made at
least three hours after rising. Hmm.

My problem is that I'm usually eating or drinking or
exercising within three hours of bedtime. I'll think about it,
I'm really more interested in reading changes in body fat than
the true value.

Rich

[Drs]

"guiTarzan" <myjunkbin@mindless.com> wrote in message
news:cfinn2$j7v@odak26.prod.google.com

[...]

> Probably best to use it in the morning after you urinate

No, the end of the evening, after your last piss and just
before you go to bed is the best time. You get slightly
dehydrated overnight so first thing in the morning won't give
you an accurate reading.

--

"Self-delusion as a coping tool has always been a fairly
useful strategy for
me." Dally

[Proton Sou]

On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 01:52:19 +1000, "DRS"
<drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote:

>"guiTarzan" <myjunkbin@mindless.com> wrote in message
>news:cfinn2$j7v@odak26.prod.google.com
>
>[...]
>
>> Probably best to use it in the morning after you urinate
>
>No, the end of the evening, after your last piss and just
>before you go to bed is the best time. You get slightly
>dehydrated overnight so first thing in the morning won't give
>you an accurate reading.

True, I do dehydrate overnight, but that doesn't change the
fact that my morning weight is the most consistent. My weight
at the end of the evening is highly variable and depends
largely on my behaviour for that day. But fortunately, my
body is pretty good at making sure my hydration levels don't
fall below a certain level overnight. I could throw a monkey
wrench in there by going to sleep dehydrated, but that rarely
ever happens.

-----------
Proton Soup

"Homo sapiens non urinat in ventum."

[Proton Sou]

On 13 Aug 2004 12:22:26 -0700, "guiTarzan"
<myjunkbin@mindless.com> wrote:

>Hmmm, maybe I need to rethink how I take my measurement. It's
>true, my product manual agrees with DRS, it says body fat
>measurement is most accurate in the evening because the body
>tends to dehydrate overnight. It also says the measurement
>should be made at least three hours after eating (I'm
>assuming that includes drinking) or exercise. It also says,
>if the measurement isn't made in the evening, it should be
>made at least three hours after rising. Hmm.

Not sure what their reasoning is here. Would be interesting to
hear an explanation.

>My problem is that I'm usually eating or drinking or
>exercising within three hours of bedtime. I'll think about
>it, I'm really more interested in reading changes in body fat
>than the true value.
>
>Rich

-----------
Proton Soup

"Homo sapiens non urinat in ventum."

[Drs]

"Proton Soup" <proton@soup.org> wrote in message
news:tu2qh0ll1or2494ir8kjd0h9vi7oh6ceej@4ax.com
> On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 01:52:19 +1000, "DRS"
> <drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote:
>> "guiTarzan" <myjunkbin@mindless.com> wrote in message
>> news:cfinn2$j7v@odak26.prod.google.com
>>
>> [...]
>>
>>> Probably best to use it in the morning after you urinate
>>
>> No, the end of the evening, after your last piss and just
>> before you go to bed is the best time. You get slightly
>> dehydrated overnight so first thing in the morning won't
>> give you an accurate reading.
>
> True, I do dehydrate overnight, but that doesn't change the
> fact that my morning weight is the most consistent.

Weight isn't the issue here, body fat is.

--

"Self-delusion as a coping tool has always been a fairly
useful strategy for
me." Dally

[Proton Sou]

On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 04:59:41 +1000, "DRS"
<drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote:

>"Proton Soup" <proton@soup.org> wrote in message
>news:tu2qh0ll1or2494ir8kjd0h9vi7oh6ceej@4ax.com
>> On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 01:52:19 +1000, "DRS"
>> <drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote:
>>> "guiTarzan" <myjunkbin@mindless.com> wrote in message
>>> news:cfinn2$j7v@odak26.prod.google.com
>>>
>>> [...]
>>>
>>>> Probably best to use it in the morning after you urinate
>>>
>>> No, the end of the evening, after your last piss and just
>>> before you go to bed is the best time. You get slightly
>>> dehydrated overnight so first thing in the morning won't
>>> give you an accurate reading.
>>
>> True, I do dehydrate overnight, but that doesn't change the
>> fact that my morning weight is the most consistent.
>
>Weight isn't the issue here, body fat is.

Snipping relevant text and changing the subject, oh my.

-----------
Proton Soup

"Homo sapiens non urinat in ventum."

[Drs]

"Proton Soup" <proton@soup.org> wrote in message
news:ij4qh0pjl5n74c05uvevn6iqubtffd0m62@4ax.com
> On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 04:59:41 +1000, "DRS"
> <drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote:
>> "Proton Soup" <proton@soup.org> wrote in message
>> news:tu2qh0ll1or2494ir8kjd0h9vi7oh6ceej@4ax.com
>>> On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 01:52:19 +1000, "DRS"
>>> <drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote:
>>>> "guiTarzan" <myjunkbin@mindless.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:cfinn2$j7v@odak26.prod.google.com
>>>>
>>>> [...]
>>>>
>>>>> Probably best to use it in the morning after you urinate
>>>>
>>>> No, the end of the evening, after your last piss and just
>>>> before you go to bed is the best time. You get slightly
>>>> dehydrated overnight so first thing in the morning won't
>>>> give you an accurate reading.
>>>
>>> True, I do dehydrate overnight, but that doesn't change
>>> the fact that my morning weight is the most consistent.
>>
>> Weight isn't the issue here, body fat is.
>
> Snipping relevant text and changing the subject, oh my.

Are you on drugs? The subject is measuring body fat: "Does
anyone here know how reliable the body fat monitor that comes
on the Tanita scales things is?" I only snipped the irrelevant
stuff in your post.

--

"Self-delusion as a coping tool has always been a fairly
useful strategy for
me." Dally

[Proton Sou]

On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 05:23:47 +1000, "DRS"
<drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote:

>"Proton Soup" <proton@soup.org> wrote in message
>news:ij4qh0pjl5n74c05uvevn6iqubtffd0m62@4ax.com
>> On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 04:59:41 +1000, "DRS"
>> <drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote:
>>> "Proton Soup" <proton@soup.org> wrote in message
>>> news:tu2qh0ll1or2494ir8kjd0h9vi7oh6ceej@4ax.com
>>>> On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 01:52:19 +1000, "DRS"
>>>> <drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote:
>>>>> "guiTarzan" <myjunkbin@mindless.com> wrote in message
>>>>> news:cfinn2$j7v@odak26.prod.google.com
>>>>>
>>>>> [...]
>>>>>
>>>>>> Probably best to use it in the morning after you
>>>>>> urinate
>>>>>
>>>>> No, the end of the evening, after your last piss and
>>>>> just before you go to bed is the best time. You get
>>>>> slightly dehydrated overnight so first thing in the
>>>>> morning won't give you an accurate reading.
>>>>
>>>> True, I do dehydrate overnight, but that doesn't change
>>>> the fact that my morning weight is the most consistent.
>>>
>>> Weight isn't the issue here, body fat is.
>>
>> Snipping relevant text and changing the subject, oh my.
>
>Are you on drugs? The subject is measuring body fat: "Does
>anyone here know how reliable the body fat monitor that comes
>on the Tanita scales things is?" I only snipped the
>irrelevant stuff in your post.

You were the one that brought up hydration. I just pointed out
that your rationalization might not be correct. And yes,
hydration should affect your measurement, since higher or
lower water weight increases or decreases the relative
percentage of body fat.

-----------
Proton Soup

"Homo sapiens non urinat in ventum."

[Drs]

"Proton Soup" <proton@soup.org> wrote in message
news:s85qh01rfdl8qg1l1rkgth7ir8tqs4fnqb@4ax.com
> On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 05:23:47 +1000, "DRS"
> <drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote:
>> "Proton Soup" <proton@soup.org> wrote in message
>> news:ij4qh0pjl5n74c05uvevn6iqubtffd0m62@4ax.com
>>> On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 04:59:41 +1000, "DRS"
>>> <drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote:
>>>> "Proton Soup" <proton@soup.org> wrote in message
>>>> news:tu2qh0ll1or2494ir8kjd0h9vi7oh6ceej@4ax.com
>>>>> On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 01:52:19 +1000, "DRS"
>>>>> <drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote:
>>>>>> "guiTarzan" <myjunkbin@mindless.com> wrote in message
>>>>>> news:cfinn2$j7v@odak26.prod.google.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>> [...]
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Probably best to use it in the morning after you
>>>>>>> urinate
>>>>>>
>>>>>> No, the end of the evening, after your last piss and
>>>>>> just before you go to bed is the best time. You get
>>>>>> slightly dehydrated overnight so first thing in the
>>>>>> morning won't give you an accurate reading.
>>>>>
>>>>> True, I do dehydrate overnight, but that doesn't change
>>>>> the fact that my morning weight is the most consistent.
>>>>
>>>> Weight isn't the issue here, body fat is.
>>>
>>> Snipping relevant text and changing the subject, oh my.
>>
>> Are you on drugs? The subject is measuring body fat: "Does
>> anyone here know how reliable the body fat monitor that
>> comes on the Tanita scales things is?" I only snipped the
>> irrelevant stuff in your post.
>
> You were the one that brought up hydration. I just pointed
> out that your rationalization might not be correct. And yes,
> hydration should affect your measurement, since higher or
> lower water weight increases or decreases the relative
> percentage of body fat.
>
> -----------
> Proton Soup
>
> "Homo sapiens non urinat in ventum."

[Drs]

"Proton Soup" <proton@soup.org> wrote in message
news:s85qh01rfdl8qg1l1rkgth7ir8tqs4fnqb@4ax.com
> On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 05:23:47 +1000, "DRS"
> <drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote:
>
>> "Proton Soup" <proton@soup.org> wrote in message
>> news:ij4qh0pjl5n74c05uvevn6iqubtffd0m62@4ax.com
>>> On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 04:59:41 +1000, "DRS"
>>> <drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote:
>>>> "Proton Soup" <proton@soup.org> wrote in message
>>>> news:tu2qh0ll1or2494ir8kjd0h9vi7oh6ceej@4ax.com
>>>>> On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 01:52:19 +1000, "DRS"
>>>>> <drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote:
>>>>>> "guiTarzan" <myjunkbin@mindless.com> wrote in message
>>>>>> news:cfinn2$j7v@odak26.prod.google.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>> [...]
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Probably best to use it in the morning after you
>>>>>>> urinate
>>>>>>
>>>>>> No, the end of the evening, after your last piss and
>>>>>> just before you go to bed is the best time. You get
>>>>>> slightly dehydrated overnight so first thing in the
>>>>>> morning won't give you an accurate reading.
>>>>>
>>>>> True, I do dehydrate overnight, but that doesn't change
>>>>> the fact that my morning weight is the most consistent.
>>>>
>>>> Weight isn't the issue here, body fat is.
>>>
>>> Snipping relevant text and changing the subject, oh my.
>>
>> Are you on drugs? The subject is measuring body fat: "Does
>> anyone here know how reliable the body fat monitor that
>> comes on the Tanita scales things is?" I only snipped the
>> irrelevant stuff in your post.
>
> You were the one that brought up hydration. I just pointed
> out that your rationalization might not be correct. And yes,
> hydration should affect your measurement, since higher or
> lower water weight increases or decreases the relative
> percentage of body fat.

Actually, in this case it changes your electrical impedance.

--

"Self-delusion as a coping tool has always been a fairly
useful strategy for
me." Dally

[Proton Sou]

On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 05:36:49 +1000, "DRS"
<drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote:

>"Proton Soup" <proton@soup.org> wrote in message
>news:s85qh01rfdl8qg1l1rkgth7ir8tqs4fnqb@4ax.com
>> On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 05:23:47 +1000, "DRS"
>> <drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote:
>>
>>> "Proton Soup" <proton@soup.org> wrote in message
>>> news:ij4qh0pjl5n74c05uvevn6iqubtffd0m62@4ax.com
>>>> On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 04:59:41 +1000, "DRS"
>>>> <drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote:
>>>>> "Proton Soup" <proton@soup.org> wrote in message
>>>>> news:tu2qh0ll1or2494ir8kjd0h9vi7oh6ceej@4ax.com
>>>>>> On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 01:52:19 +1000, "DRS"
>>>>>> <drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote:
>>>>>>> "guiTarzan" <myjunkbin@mindless.com> wrote in message
>>>>>>> news:cfinn2$j7v@odak26.prod.google.com
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> [...]
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Probably best to use it in the morning after you
>>>>>>>> urinate
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> No, the end of the evening, after your last piss and
>>>>>>> just before you go to bed is the best time. You get
>>>>>>> slightly dehydrated overnight so first thing in the
>>>>>>> morning won't give you an accurate reading.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> True, I do dehydrate overnight, but that doesn't change
>>>>>> the fact that my morning weight is the most consistent.
>>>>>
>>>>> Weight isn't the issue here, body fat is.
>>>>
>>>> Snipping relevant text and changing the subject, oh my.
>>>
>>> Are you on drugs? The subject is measuring body fat: "Does
>>> anyone here know how reliable the body fat monitor that
>>> comes on the Tanita scales things is?" I only snipped the
>>> irrelevant stuff in your post.
>>
>> You were the one that brought up hydration. I just pointed
>> out that your rationalization might not be correct. And
>> yes, hydration should affect your measurement, since higher
>> or lower water weight increases or decreases the relative
>> percentage of body fat.
>
>Actually, in this case it changes your electrical impedance.

In that case, I'd probably go for mid-day. My water weight in
the evening is highly variable, enough so to push my bf%
around a couple of points.

-----------
Proton Soup

"Homo sapiens non urinat in ventum."

[Drs]

"Proton Soup" <proton@soup.org> wrote in message
news:5v5qh09oavoarmhtisul2a93qnnlb0s3ti@4ax.com
> On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 05:36:49 +1000, "DRS"
> <drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote:
>> "Proton Soup" <proton@soup.org> wrote in message
>> news:s85qh01rfdl8qg1l1rkgth7ir8tqs4fnqb@4ax.com

[...]

>>> your rationalization might not be correct. And yes,
>>> hydration should affect your measurement, since higher or
>>> lower water weight increases or decreases the relative
>>> percentage of body fat.
>>
>> Actually, in this case it changes your electrical
>> impedance.
>
> In that case, I'd probably go for mid-day. My water weight
> in the evening is highly variable, enough so to push my bf%
> around a couple of points.

Unless you don't eat or drink around the middle of the day
then, as the manufacturer's instructions make clear, it is
not optimal.

--

"Self-delusion as a coping tool has always been a fairly
useful strategy for
me." Dally

[Proton Sou]

On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 06:55:07 +1000, "DRS"
<drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote:

>"Proton Soup" <proton@soup.org> wrote in message
>news:5v5qh09oavoarmhtisul2a93qnnlb0s3ti@4ax.com
>> On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 05:36:49 +1000, "DRS"
>> <drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote:
>>> "Proton Soup" <proton@soup.org> wrote in message
>>> news:s85qh01rfdl8qg1l1rkgth7ir8tqs4fnqb@4ax.com
>
>[...]
>
>>>> your rationalization might not be correct. And yes,
>>>> hydration should affect your measurement, since higher or
>>>> lower water weight increases or decreases the relative
>>>> percentage of body fat.
>>>
>>> Actually, in this case it changes your electrical
>>> impedance.
>>
>> In that case, I'd probably go for mid-day. My water weight
>> in the evening is highly variable, enough so to push my bf%
>> around a couple of points.
>
>Unless you don't eat or drink around the middle of the day
>then, as the manufacturer's instructions make clear, it is
>not optimal.

I'd prefer you just don't use the word optimal anymore. It's a
very complicated topic. Whatever little bit of college level
math you may have had makes it look very simple, with a pretty
X-Y graph where you pluck out maxima and minima. But anything
with 3 or more variables can be a fucking nightmare. Even more
so when the system parameters change according to the
variables you're trying to optimize.

-----------
Proton Soup

"Homo sapiens non urinat in ventum."

[Drs]

"Proton Soup" <proton@soup.org> wrote in message
news:pmaqh01e5vl9t6m8ghkor4tu292bg8gcj2@4ax.com
> On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 06:55:07 +1000, "DRS"
> <drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote:
>> "Proton Soup" <proton@soup.org> wrote in message
>> news:5v5qh09oavoarmhtisul2a93qnnlb0s3ti@4ax.com
>>> On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 05:36:49 +1000, "DRS"
>>> <drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote:
>>>> "Proton Soup" <proton@soup.org> wrote in message
>>>> news:s85qh01rfdl8qg1l1rkgth7ir8tqs4fnqb@4ax.com
>>
>> [...]
>>
>>>>> your rationalization might not be correct. And yes,
>>>>> hydration should affect your measurement, since higher
>>>>> or lower water weight increases or decreases the
>>>>> relative percentage of body fat.
>>>>
>>>> Actually, in this case it changes your electrical
>>>> impedance.
>>>
>>> In that case, I'd probably go for mid-day. My water weight
>>> in the evening is highly variable, enough so to push my
>>> bf% around a couple of points.
>>
>> Unless you don't eat or drink around the middle of the day
>> then, as the manufacturer's instructions make clear, it is
>> not optimal.
>
> I'd prefer you just don't use the word optimal anymore. It's
> a very complicated topic. Whatever little bit of college
> level math you may have had makes it look very simple, with
> a pretty X-Y graph where you pluck out maxima and minima.
> But anything with 3 or more variables can be a fucking
> nightmare. Even more so when the system parameters change
> according to the variables you're trying to optimize.

For heaven's sake, send your brain back and get a refund.
This is simple and your proposal is sub-optimal for very well
understood (by everybody but you, at least) reasons. The
manufacturer recommends not taking bf readings within three
hours of eating, drinking or exercise. By process of
elimination that means the optimal time for most people to
measure their bf using BIA will be just before they go to
bed. It's not rocket science not matter how much you try to
pretend it is.

--

"Self-delusion as a coping tool has always been a fairly
useful strategy for
me." Dally

[Proton Sou]

On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 07:20:17 +1000, "DRS"
<drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote:

>"Proton Soup" <proton@soup.org> wrote in message
>news:pmaqh01e5vl9t6m8ghkor4tu292bg8gcj2@4ax.com
>> On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 06:55:07 +1000, "DRS"
>> <drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote:
>>> "Proton Soup" <proton@soup.org> wrote in message
>>> news:5v5qh09oavoarmhtisul2a93qnnlb0s3ti@4ax.com
>>>> On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 05:36:49 +1000, "DRS"
>>>> <drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote:
>>>>> "Proton Soup" <proton@soup.org> wrote in message
>>>>> news:s85qh01rfdl8qg1l1rkgth7ir8tqs4fnqb@4ax.com
>>>
>>> [...]
>>>
>>>>>> your rationalization might not be correct. And yes,
>>>>>> hydration should affect your measurement, since higher
>>>>>> or lower water weight increases or decreases the
>>>>>> relative percentage of body fat.
>>>>>
>>>>> Actually, in this case it changes your electrical
>>>>> impedance.
>>>>
>>>> In that case, I'd probably go for mid-day. My water
>>>> weight in the evening is highly variable, enough so to
>>>> push my bf% around a couple of points.
>>>
>>> Unless you don't eat or drink around the middle of the day
>>> then, as the manufacturer's instructions make clear, it is
>>> not optimal.
>>
>> I'd prefer you just don't use the word optimal anymore.
>> It's a very complicated topic. Whatever little bit of
>> college level math you may have had makes it look very
>> simple, with a pretty X-Y graph where you pluck out maxima
>> and minima. But anything with 3 or more variables can be a
>> fucking nightmare. Even more so when the system parameters
>> change according to the variables you're trying to
>> optimize.
>
>For heaven's sake, send your brain back and get a refund.
>This is simple and your proposal is sub-optimal for very well
>understood (by everybody but you, at least) reasons. The
>manufacturer recommends not taking bf readings within three
>hours of eating, drinking or exercise. By process of
>elimination that means the optimal time for most people to
>measure their bf using BIA will be just before they go to
>bed. It's not rocket science not matter how much you try to
>pretend it is.

Bullshit. The best time is right before lunch. :)

And expect me to keep on giving you shit about optimization.
You've no business using it here, especially in emphatic ways.

-----------
Proton Soup

"Homo sapiens non urinat in ventum."

[Ray Miller]

>The manufacturer recommends not taking bf readings within
>three hours of eating, drinking or exercise.

It sounds like first thing in the AM would be ideal then.
Having said that I usually take a reading last thing at night.

Ray
--
rmnsuk
273/193/182

[Will]

In article <ccdqh0tvvlvib9drrvds7g4n0klscl6sis@4ax.com>,
Proton Soup <proton@soup.org> wrote:

> On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 07:20:17 +1000, "DRS"
> <drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote:
>
> >"Proton Soup" <proton@soup.org> wrote in message
> >news:pmaqh01e5vl9t6m8ghkor4tu292bg8gcj2@4ax.com
> >> On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 06:55:07 +1000, "DRS"
> >> <drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote:
> >>> "Proton Soup" <proton@soup.org> wrote in message
> >>> news:5v5qh09oavoarmhtisul2a93qnnlb0s3ti@4ax.com
> >>>> On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 05:36:49 +1000, "DRS"
> >>>> <drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote:
> >>>>> "Proton Soup" <proton@soup.org> wrote in message
> >>>>> news:s85qh01rfdl8qg1l1rkgth7ir8tqs4fnqb@4ax.com
> >>>
> >>> [...]
> >>>
> >>>>>> your rationalization might not be correct. And yes,
> >>>>>> hydration should affect your measurement, since
> >>>>>> higher or lower water weight increases or decreases
> >>>>>> the relative percentage of body fat.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Actually, in this case it changes your electrical
> >>>>> impedance.
> >>>>
> >>>> In that case, I'd probably go for mid-day. My water
> >>>> weight in the evening is highly variable, enough so to
> >>>> push my bf% around a couple of points.
> >>>
> >>> Unless you don't eat or drink around the middle of the
> >>> day then, as the manufacturer's instructions make clear,
> >>> it is not optimal.
> >>
> >> I'd prefer you just don't use the word optimal anymore.
> >> It's a very complicated topic. Whatever little bit of
> >> college level math you may have had makes it look very
> >> simple, with a pretty X-Y graph where you pluck out
> >> maxima and minima. But anything with 3 or more variables
> >> can be a fucking nightmare. Even more so when the system
> >> parameters change according to the variables you're
> >> trying to optimize.
> >
> >For heaven's sake, send your brain back and get a refund.
> >This is simple and your proposal is sub-optimal for very
> >well understood (by everybody but you, at least) reasons.
> >The manufacturer recommends not taking bf readings within
> >three hours of eating, drinking or exercise. By process of
> >elimination that means the optimal time for most people to
> >measure their bf using BIA will be just before they go to
> >bed. It's not rocket science not matter how much you try to
> >pretend it is.
>
> Bullshit. The best time is right before lunch. :)
>
> And expect me to keep on giving you shit about
> optimization. You've no business using it here, especially
> in emphatic ways.

He's talking about optimal time of day to use the stupid
scale. Assuming his daily habits are predictable, it IS a
simple matter of optimization in one dimension. High school
calculus. Get over it.

[Drs]

"ray miller" <bynews@rmns.co.python.uk> wrote in message
news:vkdqh054eu10g7akd041lknsugc721ghoe@4ax.com
>> The manufacturer recommends not taking bf readings within
>> three hours of eating, drinking or exercise.
>
> It sounds like first thing in the AM would be ideal then.

No. As has already been explained, you will be slightly
dehydrated at that time and will therefore not get the most
accurate reading.

--

"Self-delusion as a coping tool has always been a fairly
useful strategy for
me." Dally

[Proton Sou]

On Fri, 13 Aug 2004 14:58:15 -0700, Will
<satterwill@netscape.net> wrote:

>In article <ccdqh0tvvlvib9drrvds7g4n0klscl6sis@4ax.com>,
>Proton Soup <proton@soup.org> wrote:
>
>> On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 07:20:17 +1000, "DRS"
>> <drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote:
>>
>> >"Proton Soup" <proton@soup.org> wrote in message
>> >news:pmaqh01e5vl9t6m8ghkor4tu292bg8gcj2@4ax.com
>> >> On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 06:55:07 +1000, "DRS"
>> >> <drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote:
>> >>> "Proton Soup" <proton@soup.org> wrote in message
>> >>> news:5v5qh09oavoarmhtisul2a93qnnlb0s3ti@4ax.com
>> >>>> On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 05:36:49 +1000, "DRS"
>> >>>> <drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote:
>> >>>>> "Proton Soup" <proton@soup.org> wrote in message
>> >>>>> news:s85qh01rfdl8qg1l1rkgth7ir8tqs4fnqb@4ax.com
>> >>>
>> >>> [...]
>> >>>
>> >>>>>> your rationalization might not be correct. And yes,
>> >>>>>> hydration should affect your measurement, since
>> >>>>>> higher or lower water weight increases or decreases
>> >>>>>> the relative percentage of body fat.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> Actually, in this case it changes your electrical
>> >>>>> impedance.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> In that case, I'd probably go for mid-day. My water
>> >>>> weight in the evening is highly variable, enough so to
>> >>>> push my bf% around a couple of points.
>> >>>
>> >>> Unless you don't eat or drink around the middle of the
>> >>> day then, as the manufacturer's instructions make
>> >>> clear, it is not optimal.
>> >>
>> >> I'd prefer you just don't use the word optimal anymore.
>> >> It's a very complicated topic. Whatever little bit of
>> >> college level math you may have had makes it look very
>> >> simple, with a pretty X-Y graph where you pluck out
>> >> maxima and minima. But anything with 3 or more variables
>> >> can be a fucking nightmare. Even more so when the system
>> >> parameters change according to the variables you're
>> >> trying to optimize.
>> >
>> >For heaven's sake, send your brain back and get a refund.
>> >This is simple and your proposal is sub-optimal for very
>> >well understood (by everybody but you, at least) reasons.
>> >The manufacturer recommends not taking bf readings within
>> >three hours of eating, drinking or exercise. By process of
>> >elimination that means the optimal time for most people to
>> >measure their bf using BIA will be just before they go to
>> >bed. It's not rocket science not matter how much you try
>> >to pretend it is.
>>
>> Bullshit. The best time is right before lunch. :)
>>
>> And expect me to keep on giving you shit about
>> optimization. You've no business using it here, especially
>> in emphatic ways.
>
>He's talking about optimal time of day to use the stupid
>scale. Assuming his daily habits are predictable, it IS a
>simple matter of optimization in one dimension. High school
>calculus. Get over it.

Yeah, and it's real simple, too. Just do it several times a
day for a week or so and see what time is most consistent
for you Done.

-----------
Proton Soup

"Homo sapiens non urinat in ventum."

[Sweet Guy]

in march of this year i purchased the Taylor BF scale.

at that time, i measured 179/22%.

i am currently 152/14%.

a loss of 18.1 bfw and 8.9 lmw.

it's a fairly accurate scale for it's price ($40+/-).

and yes, the instructions state that nightly weigh-ins render
the most optimal readings.

"DRS" <drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote in message
news:cfio3j$on4$1@lust.ihug.co.nz...
> "guiTarzan" <myjunkbin@mindless.com> wrote in message
> news:cfinn2$j7v@odak26.prod.google.com
>
> [...]
>
> > Probably best to use it in the morning after you urinate
>
> No, the end of the evening, after your last piss and just
> before you go to bed is the best time. You get slightly
> dehydrated overnight so first
thing
> in the morning won't give you an accurate reading.

[Delphin]

"DRS" <drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote in message
news:<cfio3j$on4$1@lust.ihug.co.nz>...
> "guiTarzan" <myjunkbin@mindless.com> wrote in message
> news:cfinn2$j7v@odak26.prod.google.com
>
> > Probably best to use it in the morning after you urinate
>
> No, the end of the evening, after your last piss and just
> before you go to bed is the best time. You get slightly
> dehydrated overnight so first thing in the morning won't
> give you an accurate reading.

But if you are more interested in consistent results than
absolute accuracy then the morning is probably better. Unless
you know of another time of day when you haven't had anything
to eat or drink in 8 hours. I don't really care what my
absolute body fat % is, I just want to know whether it has
increased or decreased over the last few months.

[Sweet Guy]

i agree with the evening weighings.

last night i weighed 149.6 lb/12% bf.

this morning i weighed like 154.4 lb/24% bf.

thus, one should follow directions according to attached
manual. (:

"DRS" <drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote in message
news:cfio3j$on4$1@lust.ihug.co.nz...
> "guiTarzan" <myjunkbin@mindless.com> wrote in message
> news:cfinn2$j7v@odak26.prod.google.com
>
> [...]
>
> > Probably best to use it in the morning after you urinate
>
> No, the end of the evening, after your last piss and just
> before you go to bed is the best time. You get slightly
> dehydrated overnight so first
thing
> in the morning won't give you an accurate reading.
˜

[Drs]

"Sweet Guy" <bburtin@wi.rr.com> wrote in message
news:PvLUc.47691$ju6.13914@twister.rdc-kc.rr.com
> "DRS" <drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote in message
> news:cfio3j$on4$1@lust.ihug.co.nz...
>> "guiTarzan" <myjunkbin@mindless.com> wrote in message
>> news:cfinn2$j7v@odak26.prod.google.com
>>
>> [...]
>>
>>> Probably best to use it in the morning after you urinate
>>
>> No, the end of the evening, after your last piss and just
>> before you go to bed is the best time. You get slightly
>> dehydrated overnight so first thing in the morning won't
>> give you an accurate reading.
>
> i agree with the evening weighings.
>
> last night i weighed 149.6 lb/12% bf.
>
> this morning i weighed like 154.4 lb/24% bf.
>
> thus, one should follow directions according to attached
> manual. (:

One should also not top-post. You need to download OE-QuoteFix
from http://home.in.tum.de/~jain/software/oe-quotefix/.

--

"Self-delusion as a coping tool has always been a fairly
useful strategy for
me." Dally

[Delphin]

"Sweet Guy" <bburtin@wi.rr.com> wrote in message
news:<PvLUc.47691$ju6.13914@twister.rdc-kc.rr.com>...
> "DRS" <drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote in message
> news:cfio3j$on4$1@lust.ihug.co.nz...
> > "guiTarzan" <myjunkbin@mindless.com> wrote in message
> > news:cfinn2$j7v@odak26.prod.google.com
> >
> > [...]
> >
> > > Probably best to use it in the morning after you urinate
> >
> > No, the end of the evening, after your last piss and just
> > before you go to bed is the best time. You get slightly
> > dehydrated overnight so first
> thing
> > in the morning won't give you an accurate reading.
>
> i agree with the evening weighings.
>
> last night i weighed 149.6 lb/12% bf.
>
> this morning i weighed like 154.4 lb/24% bf.
>
> thus, one should follow directions according to attached
> manual. (:

You gained 5 lbs while you were sleeping? I guess that must be
caused by using the tanita scale at night. I will stop doing
that immediately.

[Sweet Guy]

"Delphin" <adamhir@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:f90fa513.0408190804.72e2242a@posting.google.com...
> "Sweet Guy" <bburtin@wi.rr.com> wrote in message
news:<PvLUc.47691$ju6.13914@twister.rdc-kc.rr.com>...
> > "DRS" <drs@remove.this.ihug.com.au> wrote in message
> > news:cfio3j$on4$1@lust.ihug.co.nz...
> > > "guiTarzan" <myjunkbin@mindless.com> wrote in message
> > > news:cfinn2$j7v@odak26.prod.google.com
> > >
> > > [...]
> > >
> > > > Probably best to use it in the morning after you
> > > > urinate
> > >
> > > No, the end of the evening, after your last piss and
> > > just before you
go to
> > > bed is the best time. You get slightly dehydrated
> > > overnight so first
> > thing
> > > in the morning won't give you an accurate reading.
> >
> > i agree with the evening weighings.
> >
> > last night i weighed 149.6 lb/12% bf.
> >
> > this morning i weighed like 154.4 lb/24% bf.
> >
> > thus, one should follow directions according to attached
> > manual. (:
>
> You gained 5 lbs while you were sleeping? I guess that must
> be caused by using the tanita scale at night. I will stop
> doing that immediately.

well, actually i am using the taylor digital scale.

hey yawl (especially drs), no more top posting. :).