Body fat versus Body weight
When we talk about losng weight we talk in terms of stones or kilograms, using the scales as a measure of success. For example we may aim to lose two stone before the next holiday. This is not always a productive way of looking at body weight, for one main reason.
The scales will not show changes in body fat, lean muscle tissue or water.
Even professional scales will only show overall weight and commonly people can make significant progress, losing inches off the waist, feeling 1000% better but in some cases the scales may even go up! If we change eating habits and exercise routines we get changes in muscle tone and hydration and this will not be refelected on the scales. It’s easy to jump on the scales every morning, only to be disappointed that yesterdays great efforts haven’t changed things at all, often leading to a morning of comfort eating to feel better.
Body fat composition is a much better alternative. This indicates the amount of fat stored both under the skin and internally around the major organs. And as internal fat is a bad thing there are health implications attached as well. Body fat composition can be tested quite easily with a local health professional, gym or nutritionist. There are a few methods available with differing accuracy with the most common and more accurate being `skinfold calipers` and `bioimpedance` tests.
Another even easier approach is purely by clothes sizes. When we lose body fat we tend to see waist measurements reduce, trousers feel loser, belt notches go down and shirts feel baggier. It sounds so simple but it really works. Find a pair of non elastic trousers that you loved and can’t fit into any more, make a note of where they get to and go from there!
Throw away those scales!
Simon Lesser works as a full time Personal Trainer and Sports Therapist. He works with a range of clients from a private gym in Bournemouth, Dorset – for more information call 07748 914368 or visit simonlesser.co.uk