Hi there, I have a question about body fat.

I started the diet on the 17th, so I have been doing it for about 4 days.

I have one of those scales that tells you your body fat percentage in addition to weight. I know that they aren't too accurate, but I record what it says to monitor the change. When I subtract today's percentage from Monday's (16th) the change is 1.8%.

Is it really possible that I have lost 1.8% of body fat when only having done the diet for 4 days??

If not, what could account for this drastic drop?


Thanks in advance for your help!

The first pounds lost when you significantly restrict carbs are water, because carbs break down into glucose, which is stored as glycogen in the muscles and liver. When glycogen is stored, it carries with it three times its own weight as water, compared to no water at all for protein and fat. So when your glycogen stores get used up and you're no longer eating carbs, that has a diuretic effect.

As far as your question, I know the amount of fluid retention is a variable in accurately measuring body fat..... I've heard folks comment that when they are bloated, their BF measurement is higher. I guess you're seeing the opposite of that effect.

Welcome to the boards!