I bought an omron body composition monitor (http://www.omronhealthcare.com/product/detail.asp?p=1134&t=187) a while back, and have been keeping track with it for a few months. I know that this is probably not the most accurate measuring method, but I am more interested in progress than accuracy, so if its inaccurate, as long as it is consitently inaccurate I am ok with that.

When I first started using it, I was getting pretty constant BFP reading of around 19-20% in the mornings and evenings, which I thought was about right given my spare tire from such a high cal diet over the winter trying to bulk up. Since the weather warmed though, I have been trying to run 20-30 kms a week and for awhile saw little or no change in BFP readings. Finally though, the last week or so I see it creeping down, but now I am noticing bigger differences in night and morning readings. In the morning when I am dehydrated and after my morning p*ss, I am still getting readings of 18-19 %. In the evenings however, just before bed I am getting readings of around 16-17%. I know I have lost some belly fat, because I gained a notch on the belt without any discomfort.

So, does anyone else here monitor BFP closely? I'm trying to figure out the best time of day and under what conditions to measure it. Should I be hydrated or dehydrated, etc..


thanks

I bought an omron body composition monitor (http://www.omronhealthcare.com/product/detail.asp?p=1134&t=187) a while back, and have been keeping track with it for a few months. I know that this is probably not the most accurate measuring method, but I am more interested in progress than accuracy, so if its inaccurate, as long as it is consitently inaccurate I am ok with that.

When I first started using it, I was getting pretty constant BFP reading of around 19-20% in the mornings and evenings, which I thought was about right given my spare tire from such a high cal diet over the winter trying to bulk up. Since the weather warmed though, I have been trying to run 20-30 kms a week and for awhile saw little or no change in BFP readings. Finally though, the last week or so I see it creeping down, but now I am noticing bigger differences in night and morning readings. In the morning when I am dehydrated and after my morning p*ss, I am still getting readings of 18-19 %. In the evenings however, just before bed I am getting readings of around 16-17%. I know I have lost some belly fat, because I gained a notch on the belt without any discomfort.

So, does anyone else here monitor BFP closely? I'm trying to figure out the best time of day and under what conditions to measure it. Should I be hydrated or dehydrated, etc..


thanks

I have something similar and I have always done it in the morning/dehydrated. I think I read in the instructions that this was the best time to get your readings. IF you do it at any other time, the food and amount of liquid you drink can affect the readings.

Whatever you decide to do, I would to stick to one of the time periods or else you drive yourself nuts. :bang::gl:

i also noticed that if i change my weight and age (every year) on the settings for the machine, then the body fat differs a lot. are you making these changes too?

I think it is better to use a tape measure. Stand up straight, put around just below the navel, pull it tight enough so you can feel it all round without it depressing the skin. Cheaper, monitors your progress, the military use it .. or buy a myotape

I think it is better to use a tape measure. Stand up straight, put around just below the navel, pull it tight enough so you can feel it all round without it depressing the skin. Cheaper, monitors your progress, the military use it .. or buy a myotape

+1 for the post above. I had the same problem with my monitor, it wasn't consitently inaccurate enough. So I changed to tape measurements and am pretty happy with the consistency. :tu: