Re: Feeling stuck!

[Guest guest]

Nutrition is the biggest part of weight loss. What does your daily menu look

like? What are your portions? Are you eating every 3 hours? Give us a menu and

it will help a lot!

wrote: Hey there!

I mostly lurk here, and the info is incredible, but I'm feeling pretty stuck

these days and

thought I'd see if anyone could offer some help.

I started BFL for the 2nd time last September - did the challenge then did a

second. I

started off at 190 lbs (not sure of bf% as I was too scared to look). I am

currently at 155

lbs and 30% bf% (my husband and I got our own calipers and did our bf%). I was

sure that

my bf% was lower and now I'm totally bummed. I don't feel like I look 30% bf,

as I'm

wearing size 6s and my size 8 jeans are a bit too big for me now (I'm 5'5 " ) I

would have

pegged me in the upper 20s maybe. Actually, I was inspired to get my bf% on my

own by

the postings here and by reading BFFM (which I loved and gave me lots of info).

I thought

I needed to make some adjustments since I've kinda plateaued for a while. I now

am in

the process of cleaning up my act, but, man oh man, do I feel discouraged!!!

I should also mention that my husband and I are trying to conceive and I could

possibly be

pregnant - but I just as easily could not. In that vein, my acupuncturist

started me on an

herbal progestrone since my luteal phase was too short and everything was

pointing

towards progestrone deficiency (I had a difficult miscarriage over a year ago

that was

probably low progestrone related). I don't know if that would have any effect

on my

weight loss, I sort of doubt it. I know that for a few weeks there I was

getting a little bit

sloppy foodwise.

My emotions are all over the place and that could be from feeling disappointed

at my bf%.

Too bad I didn't check it when I started as I'm sure I've made great progress.

But I so so

so feel stuck and am trying so hard to shift things around and make changes.

Last week I

ate so clean and not one pound was lost. Then I decided that this week I would

have no

full free day (I was going a little crazy there on free day), moniter my food

carefully and

ride my bike to the gym everyday as opposed to driving. I also do 3-5 dance

classes a

week so I stay pretty active. Plus, I have an active 5 year old that I

homeschool - so not

many opportunities to be sedentary for me : ). Yesterday I was trying to do a

1400 cal/day

low carb day a la bffm and towards the end of the day I was craving carbs and

had them.

And then I felt so guilty for not sticking to my plan : (!

I did my calculations and it looks like if I want to be at 20% bf, I need to

lose 20lbs of fat.

And that feels so hard for me right now. It hasn't always, and if I'd seen some

movement

on the scale in the last few weeks, I'd probably feel a little more optimistic.

I'm still doing

the HIIT and the pyramiding weights for ubwo and lbwo. I'm lifting heavy and

cardioing

hard. I'm active, I have my goals set out, need to work on affirmations and the

like, but

that's pretty familiar ground for me.

What am I doing wrong or what should I change?????

Please help!!!

[Guest guest]

Well, unfortunately I'm now on my husband's computer because mine just sprung a

leak,

so to speak. All of my meals were on that computer so I'm kinda stuck - but I

have

managed to remember basically what I ate last week. Everyday was a different

variation on

the following:

Meal 1: Egg/oat pudding

2: shake

3: chicken breast on spelt tortilla with broccolli on the side

4: salmon salad

5: turkey breast, asparagus/onion stir fry

I was doing a 5 meal a day at 1600 calories a la BFFM and tapering down my

calories

throughout the day. I don't have the other calcs for fat and such since that's

on my

naughty computer. And that was pretty par for the course last week. I was

really specific

about amounts, measuring everything on a food scale and typing the food values

into my

spreadsheet. I never felt hungry until I tried to do the low carb 1400 cal/day

plan

yesterday and I only tried that because I was desperate from no weight loss last

week.

I must say, though, that the weeks prior were a lot looser than that, but I

would have

thought some weight would go.

Hope that info is enough.

Hey there!

>

> I mostly lurk here, and the info is incredible, but I'm feeling pretty stuck

these days and

> thought I'd see if anyone could offer some help.

>

> I started BFL for the 2nd time last September - did the challenge then did a

second. I

> started off at 190 lbs (not sure of bf% as I was too scared to look). I am

currently at 155

> lbs and 30% bf% (my husband and I got our own calipers and did our bf%). I

was sure

that

> my bf% was lower and now I'm totally bummed. I don't feel like I look 30% bf,

as I'm

> wearing size 6s and my size 8 jeans are a bit too big for me now (I'm 5'5 " )

I would have

> pegged me in the upper 20s maybe. Actually, I was inspired to get my bf% on

my own

by

> the postings here and by reading BFFM (which I loved and gave me lots of

info). I

thought

> I needed to make some adjustments since I've kinda plateaued for a while. I

now am in

> the process of cleaning up my act, but, man oh man, do I feel discouraged!!!

>

> I should also mention that my husband and I are trying to conceive and I could

possibly

be

> pregnant - but I just as easily could not. In that vein, my acupuncturist

started me on

an

> herbal progestrone since my luteal phase was too short and everything was

pointing

> towards progestrone deficiency (I had a difficult miscarriage over a year ago

that was

> probably low progestrone related). I don't know if that would have any effect

on my

> weight loss, I sort of doubt it. I know that for a few weeks there I was

getting a little bit

> sloppy foodwise.

>

> My emotions are all over the place and that could be from feeling disappointed

at my

bf%.

> Too bad I didn't check it when I started as I'm sure I've made great progress.

But I so so

> so feel stuck and am trying so hard to shift things around and make changes.

Last week

I

> ate so clean and not one pound was lost. Then I decided that this week I

would have no

> full free day (I was going a little crazy there on free day), moniter my food

carefully and

> ride my bike to the gym everyday as opposed to driving. I also do 3-5 dance

classes a

> week so I stay pretty active. Plus, I have an active 5 year old that I

homeschool - so not

> many opportunities to be sedentary for me : ). Yesterday I was trying to do a

1400 cal/

day

> low carb day a la bffm and towards the end of the day I was craving carbs and

had them.

> And then I felt so guilty for not sticking to my plan : (!

>

> I did my calculations and it looks like if I want to be at 20% bf, I need to

lose 20lbs of

fat.

> And that feels so hard for me right now. It hasn't always, and if I'd seen

some

movement

> on the scale in the last few weeks, I'd probably feel a little more

optimistic. I'm still

doing

> the HIIT and the pyramiding weights for ubwo and lbwo. I'm lifting heavy and

cardioing

> hard. I'm active, I have my goals set out, need to work on affirmations and

the like, but

> that's pretty familiar ground for me.

>

> What am I doing wrong or what should I change?????

>

> Please help!!!

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I cannot imagine that you are 5'5 " , 155 pounds, size 6 and 30%BF.

That figure HAS to be wrong. The problem with almost ALL ways to

measure your BF% is that they are really better for figuring a delta

than telling you an true value. That is, the change in BF% with your

chosen method is the only thing you can really be sure of. What kind

of caliper did you get? How many places did you pinch? Have either of

you had experience with calipers? Did you get an expert to help you

use them the first time? So many things can throw those numbers off.

It sounds to me like you are in terrific shape. Were I you I would

not try to get pregnant AND try to reduce BF% too low. Hormones and

fat are intertwined, go to low on fat and you hormones are screwy. You

already say you are having hormone imbalance, so maybe it would be

best for you to be happy in your sixes, stay active and eat healthy

and not worry about what the stuipd calipers say.

Relax, don't worry, you are fine.

Barbara

>

> Hey there!

>

> I mostly lurk here, and the info is incredible, but I'm feeling

pretty stuck these days and

> thought I'd see if anyone could offer some help.

>

> I started BFL for the 2nd time last September - did the challenge

then did a second. I

> started off at 190 lbs (not sure of bf% as I was too scared to

look). I am currently at 155

> lbs and 30% bf% (my husband and I got our own calipers and did our

bf%). I was sure that

> my bf% was lower and now I'm totally bummed. I don't feel like I

look 30% bf, as I'm

> wearing size 6s and my size 8 jeans are a bit too big for me now

(I'm 5'5 " ) I would have

> pegged me in the upper 20s maybe. Actually, I was inspired to get

my bf% on my own by

> the postings here and by reading BFFM (which I loved and gave me

lots of info). I thought

> I needed to make some adjustments since I've kinda plateaued for a

while. I now am in

> the process of cleaning up my act, but, man oh man, do I feel

discouraged!!!

>

> I should also mention that my husband and I are trying to conceive

and I could possibly be

> pregnant - but I just as easily could not. In that vein, my

acupuncturist started me on an

> herbal progestrone since my luteal phase was too short and

everything was pointing

> towards progestrone deficiency (I had a difficult miscarriage over a

year ago that was

> probably low progestrone related). I don't know if that would have

any effect on my

> weight loss, I sort of doubt it. I know that for a few weeks there

I was getting a little bit

> sloppy foodwise.

>

> My emotions are all over the place and that could be from feeling

disappointed at my bf%.

> Too bad I didn't check it when I started as I'm sure I've made great

progress. But I so so

> so feel stuck and am trying so hard to shift things around and make

changes. Last week I

> ate so clean and not one pound was lost. Then I decided that this

week I would have no

> full free day (I was going a little crazy there on free day),

moniter my food carefully and

> ride my bike to the gym everyday as opposed to driving. I also do

3-5 dance classes a

> week so I stay pretty active. Plus, I have an active 5 year old

that I homeschool - so not

> many opportunities to be sedentary for me : ). Yesterday I was

trying to do a 1400 cal/day

> low carb day a la bffm and towards the end of the day I was craving

carbs and had them.

> And then I felt so guilty for not sticking to my plan : (!

>

> I did my calculations and it looks like if I want to be at 20% bf, I

need to lose 20lbs of fat.

> And that feels so hard for me right now. It hasn't always, and if

I'd seen some movement

> on the scale in the last few weeks, I'd probably feel a little more

optimistic. I'm still doing

> the HIIT and the pyramiding weights for ubwo and lbwo. I'm lifting

heavy and cardioing

> hard. I'm active, I have my goals set out, need to work on

affirmations and the like, but

> that's pretty familiar ground for me.

>

> What am I doing wrong or what should I change?????

>

> Please help!!!

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

, you should be thrilled with these results. You have done

amazingly well with your first challenge and kept it off.

Congratulations!

Loose size 8 and fit in 6's? That is also fabulous! I'm finally got

to fit into my size 6's again with my last challenge. Like Barbara, I

find it hard to believe you are 30% bf? Are you doing the 1-site

measure? Where do you store your fat (apple or pear)?

I measure myself, primarily 1-site with the cheap accumeasure click

caliper. I read a lot lower bf (16-17% bf) using the 1-site method.

BUT I also lose weight in my upper body & waist first, butt and thighs

last so I'm sure I'm not that low. If you tend to store fat in your

waist, then this will mess up the 1-site reading for sure. Plus, it

is hard to get a good measurement with a cheap caliper and

inexperienced tester (ourselves! lol).

have you tried other measurements? I also go to the biofitness site

which uses tape measure readings to get a bf% estimate. This usually

reads 1-3% different(depending on the week in my challenge) than my

accumeasure reading.

The idea with these bf readings is to see if you are moving in the

right direction. It is hard to not focus on a number (I " m the first

person to do this, believe me), but try not to. These numbers can be a

demotivator. I threaten to toss my scale every other week when I

weight myself because it doesnt cooperate with me! ;-)

>>>>I am currently at 155

> lbs and 30% bf% (my husband and I got our own calipers and did our

bf%). I was sure that

> my bf% was lower and now I'm totally bummed. I don't feel like I

look 30% bf, as I'm

> wearing size 6s and my size 8 jeans are a bit too big for me now

(I'm 5'5 " )

[Guest guest]

Seems to me like you are little light on the carbs. Did you have any carbs in

meals 4 and 5. Are you not eating a 6th meal?

wrote: Well, unfortunately I'm now on my

husband's computer because mine just sprung a leak,

so to speak. All of my meals were on that computer so I'm kinda stuck - but I

have

managed to remember basically what I ate last week. Everyday was a different

variation on

the following:

Meal 1: Egg/oat pudding

2: shake

3: chicken breast on spelt tortilla with broccolli on the side

4: salmon salad

5: turkey breast, asparagus/onion stir fry

I was doing a 5 meal a day at 1600 calories a la BFFM and tapering down my

calories

throughout the day. I don't have the other calcs for fat and such since that's

on my

naughty computer. And that was pretty par for the course last week. I was

really specific

about amounts, measuring everything on a food scale and typing the food values

into my

spreadsheet. I never felt hungry until I tried to do the low carb 1400 cal/day

plan

yesterday and I only tried that because I was desperate from no weight loss last

week.

I must say, though, that the weeks prior were a lot looser than that, but I

would have

thought some weight would go.

Hope that info is enough.

Hey there!

>

> I mostly lurk here, and the info is incredible, but I'm feeling pretty stuck

these days and

> thought I'd see if anyone could offer some help.

>

> I started BFL for the 2nd time last September - did the challenge then did a

second. I

> started off at 190 lbs (not sure of bf% as I was too scared to look). I am

currently at 155

> lbs and 30% bf% (my husband and I got our own calipers and did our bf%). I

was sure

that

> my bf% was lower and now I'm totally bummed. I don't feel like I look 30% bf,

as I'm

> wearing size 6s and my size 8 jeans are a bit too big for me now (I'm 5'5 " )

I would have

> pegged me in the upper 20s maybe. Actually, I was inspired to get my bf% on

my own

by

> the postings here and by reading BFFM (which I loved and gave me lots of

info). I

thought

> I needed to make some adjustments since I've kinda plateaued for a while. I

now am in

> the process of cleaning up my act, but, man oh man, do I feel discouraged!!!

>

> I should also mention that my husband and I are trying to conceive and I could

possibly

be

> pregnant - but I just as easily could not. In that vein, my acupuncturist

started me on

an

> herbal progestrone since my luteal phase was too short and everything was

pointing

> towards progestrone deficiency (I had a difficult miscarriage over a year ago

that was

> probably low progestrone related). I don't know if that would have any effect

on my

> weight loss, I sort of doubt it. I know that for a few weeks there I was

getting a little bit

> sloppy foodwise.

>

> My emotions are all over the place and that could be from feeling disappointed

at my

bf%.

> Too bad I didn't check it when I started as I'm sure I've made great progress.

But I so so

> so feel stuck and am trying so hard to shift things around and make changes.

Last week

I

> ate so clean and not one pound was lost. Then I decided that this week I

would have no

> full free day (I was going a little crazy there on free day), moniter my food

carefully and

> ride my bike to the gym everyday as opposed to driving. I also do 3-5 dance

classes a

> week so I stay pretty active. Plus, I have an active 5 year old that I

homeschool - so not

> many opportunities to be sedentary for me : ). Yesterday I was trying to do a

1400 cal/

day

> low carb day a la bffm and towards the end of the day I was craving carbs and

had them.

> And then I felt so guilty for not sticking to my plan : (!

>

> I did my calculations and it looks like if I want to be at 20% bf, I need to

lose 20lbs of

fat.

> And that feels so hard for me right now. It hasn't always, and if I'd seen

some

movement

> on the scale in the last few weeks, I'd probably feel a little more

optimistic. I'm still

doing

> the HIIT and the pyramiding weights for ubwo and lbwo. I'm lifting heavy and

cardioing

> hard. I'm active, I have my goals set out, need to work on affirmations and

the like, but

> that's pretty familiar ground for me.

>

> What am I doing wrong or what should I change?????

>

> Please help!!!

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you for your reassurance, Barbara! I still don't quite know what to make

of the

reading. I guess I should have it done at my gym. My dh's bf said 17%, but on

another

Omran maybe???, it said 13% so I don't know.....

I will try to relax a bit and enjoy what progress I've made. But it's hard.

Again, thanks!

> >

> > Hey there!

> >

> > I mostly lurk here, and the info is incredible, but I'm feeling

> pretty stuck these days and

> > thought I'd see if anyone could offer some help.

> >

> > I started BFL for the 2nd time last September - did the challenge

> then did a second. I

> > started off at 190 lbs (not sure of bf% as I was too scared to

> look). I am currently at 155

> > lbs and 30% bf% (my husband and I got our own calipers and did our

> bf%). I was sure that

> > my bf% was lower and now I'm totally bummed. I don't feel like I

> look 30% bf, as I'm

> > wearing size 6s and my size 8 jeans are a bit too big for me now

> (I'm 5'5 " ) I would have

> > pegged me in the upper 20s maybe. Actually, I was inspired to get

> my bf% on my own by

> > the postings here and by reading BFFM (which I loved and gave me

> lots of info). I thought

> > I needed to make some adjustments since I've kinda plateaued for a

> while. I now am in

> > the process of cleaning up my act, but, man oh man, do I feel

> discouraged!!!

> >

> > I should also mention that my husband and I are trying to conceive

> and I could possibly be

> > pregnant - but I just as easily could not. In that vein, my

> acupuncturist started me on an

> > herbal progestrone since my luteal phase was too short and

> everything was pointing

> > towards progestrone deficiency (I had a difficult miscarriage over a

> year ago that was

> > probably low progestrone related). I don't know if that would have

> any effect on my

> > weight loss, I sort of doubt it. I know that for a few weeks there

> I was getting a little bit

> > sloppy foodwise.

> >

> > My emotions are all over the place and that could be from feeling

> disappointed at my bf%.

> > Too bad I didn't check it when I started as I'm sure I've made great

> progress. But I so so

> > so feel stuck and am trying so hard to shift things around and make

> changes. Last week I

> > ate so clean and not one pound was lost. Then I decided that this

> week I would have no

> > full free day (I was going a little crazy there on free day),

> moniter my food carefully and

> > ride my bike to the gym everyday as opposed to driving. I also do

> 3-5 dance classes a

> > week so I stay pretty active. Plus, I have an active 5 year old

> that I homeschool - so not

> > many opportunities to be sedentary for me : ). Yesterday I was

> trying to do a 1400 cal/day

> > low carb day a la bffm and towards the end of the day I was craving

> carbs and had them.

> > And then I felt so guilty for not sticking to my plan : (!

> >

> > I did my calculations and it looks like if I want to be at 20% bf, I

> need to lose 20lbs of fat.

> > And that feels so hard for me right now. It hasn't always, and if

> I'd seen some movement

> > on the scale in the last few weeks, I'd probably feel a little more

> optimistic. I'm still doing

> > the HIIT and the pyramiding weights for ubwo and lbwo. I'm lifting

> heavy and cardioing

> > hard. I'm active, I have my goals set out, need to work on

> affirmations and the like, but

> > that's pretty familiar ground for me.

> >

> > What am I doing wrong or what should I change?????

> >

> > Please help!!!

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hey !

Thanks for reminding me of my successes -- it's easy to forget, ya know?

I was using the Slimglide calipers, which has you measure four sites, back upper

arm, front

upper arm, subscapular and above the iliac crest. I do tend to have a bit of a

curvey body

so I guess that would put me in the pear shape (my breasts never have gotten

below a DD

no matter how small I am (and I've been down to 110 in my teen years)). Don't

know how

that would affect anything. Since I had my son, my belly has never been the

same. I never

used to have the belly overhang that pregnancy and breastfeeding gave me and it

hasn't

gone away yet!!!

Thanks for mentioning the biofitness. I had forgotten about that. I've pulled

out my

measuring tape and will go there and do it first thing in the morning.

And thanks for your support. I really appreciate it!!!

-- In , " "

wrote:

>

> , you should be thrilled with these results. You have done

> amazingly well with your first challenge and kept it off.

> Congratulations!

>

> Loose size 8 and fit in 6's? That is also fabulous! I'm finally got

> to fit into my size 6's again with my last challenge. Like Barbara, I

> find it hard to believe you are 30% bf? Are you doing the 1-site

> measure? Where do you store your fat (apple or pear)?

>

> I measure myself, primarily 1-site with the cheap accumeasure click

> caliper. I read a lot lower bf (16-17% bf) using the 1-site method.

> BUT I also lose weight in my upper body & waist first, butt and thighs

> last so I'm sure I'm not that low. If you tend to store fat in your

> waist, then this will mess up the 1-site reading for sure. Plus, it

> is hard to get a good measurement with a cheap caliper and

> inexperienced tester (ourselves! lol).

>

> have you tried other measurements? I also go to the biofitness site

> which uses tape measure readings to get a bf% estimate. This usually

> reads 1-3% different(depending on the week in my challenge) than my

> accumeasure reading.

>

> The idea with these bf readings is to see if you are moving in the

> right direction. It is hard to not focus on a number (I " m the first

> person to do this, believe me), but try not to. These numbers can be a

> demotivator. I threaten to toss my scale every other week when I

> weight myself because it doesnt cooperate with me! ;-)

>

>

>

> >>>>I am currently at 155

> > lbs and 30% bf% (my husband and I got our own calipers and did our

> bf%). I was sure that

> > my bf% was lower and now I'm totally bummed. I don't feel like I

> look 30% bf, as I'm

> > wearing size 6s and my size 8 jeans are a bit too big for me now

> (I'm 5'5 " )

>

[Guest guest]

Hey Tara,

Thanks for your thoughts! I appreciate it. I am intentionally trying out the

BFFM 5 meals/

day that he recommends for women and am tapering down my starchy carbs

throughout

the day as he reccommends as an option. I still am getting 1600 cal/day and

fibrous

carbs. I don't know if I should change it back to the BFL way again or keep

giving this a

good shot. It's all very confusing to me right now as my emotions are running a

bit high.

I'll keep in mind your observations, though, and thanks so much for giving your

feedback!

Hey there!

> >

> > I mostly lurk here, and the info is incredible, but I'm feeling pretty stuck

these days

and

> > thought I'd see if anyone could offer some help.

> >

> > I started BFL for the 2nd time last September - did the challenge then did a

second. I

> > started off at 190 lbs (not sure of bf% as I was too scared to look). I am

currently at

155

> > lbs and 30% bf% (my husband and I got our own calipers and did our bf%). I

was sure

> that

> > my bf% was lower and now I'm totally bummed. I don't feel like I look 30%

bf, as I'm

> > wearing size 6s and my size 8 jeans are a bit too big for me now (I'm 5'5 " )

I would

have

> > pegged me in the upper 20s maybe. Actually, I was inspired to get my bf% on

my own

> by

> > the postings here and by reading BFFM (which I loved and gave me lots of

info). I

> thought

> > I needed to make some adjustments since I've kinda plateaued for a while. I

now am

in

> > the process of cleaning up my act, but, man oh man, do I feel discouraged!!!

> >

> > I should also mention that my husband and I are trying to conceive and I

could

possibly

> be

> > pregnant - but I just as easily could not. In that vein, my acupuncturist

started me on

> an

> > herbal progestrone since my luteal phase was too short and everything was

pointing

> > towards progestrone deficiency (I had a difficult miscarriage over a year

ago that was

> > probably low progestrone related). I don't know if that would have any

effect on my

> > weight loss, I sort of doubt it. I know that for a few weeks there I was

getting a little

bit

> > sloppy foodwise.

> >

> > My emotions are all over the place and that could be from feeling

disappointed at my

> bf%.

> > Too bad I didn't check it when I started as I'm sure I've made great

progress. But I so

so

> > so feel stuck and am trying so hard to shift things around and make changes.

Last

week

> I

> > ate so clean and not one pound was lost. Then I decided that this week I

would have

no

> > full free day (I was going a little crazy there on free day), moniter my

food carefully

and

> > ride my bike to the gym everyday as opposed to driving. I also do 3-5 dance

classes

a

> > week so I stay pretty active. Plus, I have an active 5 year old that I

homeschool - so

not

> > many opportunities to be sedentary for me : ). Yesterday I was trying to do

a 1400

cal/

> day

> > low carb day a la bffm and towards the end of the day I was craving carbs

and had

them.

> > And then I felt so guilty for not sticking to my plan : (!

> >

> > I did my calculations and it looks like if I want to be at 20% bf, I need to

lose 20lbs of

> fat.

> > And that feels so hard for me right now. It hasn't always, and if I'd seen

some

> movement

> > on the scale in the last few weeks, I'd probably feel a little more

optimistic. I'm still

> doing

> > the HIIT and the pyramiding weights for ubwo and lbwo. I'm lifting heavy

and

cardioing

> > hard. I'm active, I have my goals set out, need to work on affirmations and

the like,

but

> > that's pretty familiar ground for me.

> >

> > What am I doing wrong or what should I change?????

> >

> > Please help!!!

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

,

In case you're on the board before tomorrow, I thought I'd share my

experience w/the Slimguide caliper.

It gave me a reading of 29.5% I thought it was a bit high, so I tried

the Biofitness and it said 23.7% the next day, which was suprisingly

low. For me the actual number is less important than seeing a

downward trend (too early for that yet!). I'd be curious how

different your numbers are.

I am kind of curious, though, which one is more accurate.

The point of having a professional help you is a good one. My husband

helped me and, well, it wasn't very scientific, I'm sure.

And about your feelings of discouragement--hang in there. Maybe you

could not focus on the body fat%, but keep on going and thinking of

what you're doing as supporting your body in it's efforts to produce

all the hormones you need for a pregnancy.

Candace

> >

> > , you should be thrilled with these results. You have done

> > amazingly well with your first challenge and kept it off.

> > Congratulations!

> >

> > Loose size 8 and fit in 6's? That is also fabulous! I'm finally got

> > to fit into my size 6's again with my last challenge. Like

Barbara, I

> > find it hard to believe you are 30% bf? Are you doing the 1-site

> > measure? Where do you store your fat (apple or pear)?

> >

> > I measure myself, primarily 1-site with the cheap accumeasure click

> > caliper. I read a lot lower bf (16-17% bf) using the 1-site method.

> > BUT I also lose weight in my upper body & waist first, butt and

thighs

> > last so I'm sure I'm not that low. If you tend to store fat in your

> > waist, then this will mess up the 1-site reading for sure. Plus, it

> > is hard to get a good measurement with a cheap caliper and

> > inexperienced tester (ourselves! lol).

> >

> > have you tried other measurements? I also go to the biofitness site

> > which uses tape measure readings to get a bf% estimate. This usually

> > reads 1-3% different(depending on the week in my challenge) than my

> > accumeasure reading.

> >

> > The idea with these bf readings is to see if you are moving in the

> > right direction. It is hard to not focus on a number (I " m the first

> > person to do this, believe me), but try not to. These numbers can

be a

> > demotivator. I threaten to toss my scale every other week when I

> > weight myself because it doesnt cooperate with me! ;-)

> >

> >

> >

> > >>>>I am currently at 155

> > > lbs and 30% bf% (my husband and I got our own calipers and did our

> > bf%). I was sure that

> > > my bf% was lower and now I'm totally bummed. I don't feel like I

> > look 30% bf, as I'm

> > > wearing size 6s and my size 8 jeans are a bit too big for me now

> > (I'm 5'5 " )

> >

>

[Guest guest]

It all depends on the tester. In the hands of a pro, or even in the

hands of someone who's taken their own readings dozens of times, the

calipers are going to be more accurate than the online calculators.

For somebody still struggling with the calipers and getting readings

that are all over the place, the online calculator will show changes

more consistently even if the number itself isn't accurate.

Some tips for getting an accurate caliper reading:

- Always take your readings three times in a row and average them.

That way if one of your pinches is way off, you'll know.

- If you're not experienced with your calipers, take three sets of

pinches every morning for a week. At the end of seven days, you'll be

experienced.

- Use a landmark like a freckle, mole, or scar to note where you'll

pinch each time. If there is no landmark, create one by dotting

yourself with a felt tip pen. That way you'll know that you're

grabbing the exact same spot each time.

- Enter your caliper pinches into an online calculator and let it do

the math rather than messing with the charts and formulas in the

booklet. Some sites will even average the sets of readings for you.

- The greater the number of pinches, the more accurate the reading...

if you're good. Otherwise, the greater number of pinches, the more

likely you are to throw it all way off.

- I recommend a 3-site test for women because you can do tricep,

suprailiac, and thigh by yourself. If you go to 4, 5, and 7-site

tests, it becomes impossible to take your own readings. Then you have

to rely on some other poor soul to get it right and not shatter your

psyche.

> I am kind of curious, though, which one is more accurate.

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you, . I'm going to try to do my own, using the 3-point

method. What online calculator do you recommend?

Candace

> - Enter your caliper pinches into an online calculator and let it do

> the math rather than messing with the charts and formulas in the

> booklet. Some sites will even average the sets of readings for you.

>

[Guest guest]

Hey ,

Thanks for the tips. I imagine that I have a ways to go before I'm very good at

this. I

guess my man and I will need to keep practicing I just did the biofitness

online

calculator and it came up with 21.5% body fat. I imiagine in realitiy I'm

somewhere in

between those two numbers - I think. This is all very confusing. Do you think

I should

get a professional to do a skinfold or just move on ahead and ignore the

numbers?

Thanks so much and if you have any other feedback re: the dietary changes re:

bffm, I'd

appreciate it.

> > I am kind of curious, though, which one is more accurate.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Candace,

Well, I did the biofitness bf% measurements and it came up with 21.5%!!! Huge

difference!

I imagine that I'm somewhere in between those %s but it is reassuring.

I also feel much better about going into a pregnancy at a 21.5% bf even if it is

a little bit

off as I know how much fitness levels can make a difference in a pregnancy,

labor and

postpartum. Even before I did the biofitness bf%, I had taken your words to

heart and

done my best to relax my mind and get ready for pregnancy. I really appreciate

you

reminding me!!! Thank you so much!

> > >

> > > , you should be thrilled with these results. You have done

> > > amazingly well with your first challenge and kept it off.

> > > Congratulations!

> > >

> > > Loose size 8 and fit in 6's? That is also fabulous! I'm finally got

> > > to fit into my size 6's again with my last challenge. Like

> Barbara, I

> > > find it hard to believe you are 30% bf? Are you doing the 1-site

> > > measure? Where do you store your fat (apple or pear)?

> > >

> > > I measure myself, primarily 1-site with the cheap accumeasure click

> > > caliper. I read a lot lower bf (16-17% bf) using the 1-site method.

> > > BUT I also lose weight in my upper body & waist first, butt and

> thighs

> > > last so I'm sure I'm not that low. If you tend to store fat in your

> > > waist, then this will mess up the 1-site reading for sure. Plus, it

> > > is hard to get a good measurement with a cheap caliper and

> > > inexperienced tester (ourselves! lol).

> > >

> > > have you tried other measurements? I also go to the biofitness site

> > > which uses tape measure readings to get a bf% estimate. This usually

> > > reads 1-3% different(depending on the week in my challenge) than my

> > > accumeasure reading.

> > >

> > > The idea with these bf readings is to see if you are moving in the

> > > right direction. It is hard to not focus on a number (I " m the first

> > > person to do this, believe me), but try not to. These numbers can

> be a

> > > demotivator. I threaten to toss my scale every other week when I

> > > weight myself because it doesnt cooperate with me! ;-)

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > >>>>I am currently at 155

> > > > lbs and 30% bf% (my husband and I got our own calipers and did our

> > > bf%). I was sure that

> > > > my bf% was lower and now I'm totally bummed. I don't feel like I

> > > look 30% bf, as I'm

> > > > wearing size 6s and my size 8 jeans are a bit too big for me now

> > > (I'm 5'5 " )

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

, I wouldnt be surprised if you are closer to the biofitness

numbers based on what you wrote earlier. I hope you ARE reassured

about your bf!

>>>>>> Well, I did the biofitness bf% measurements and it came up with

21.5%!!! Huge difference!

[Guest guest]

It doesn't really matter if you get a professional to do a pinch,

because that will just give you a third confusing number. Unless you

can track down the same pro every few weeks, it's still not much help

for comparing readings. Two different pros will give you two different

readings. The same pro with a different set of calipers will give you

different readings. They should all be fairly close, but one or two

percent is enough to make most women hysterical. So, the best you can

do is to just pick one testing method (or testing person) and do it

the same way every time. As long as you're checking it the same way

and the numbers are trending downward, you're doing great.

Carb cycling probably works, but it makes me crazy. If you can do it,

more power to you. I generally don't mess with my carbs because

they're directly connected to my happy brain chemicals.

> Hey ,

>

> Thanks for the tips. I imagine that I have a ways to go before I'm very good

at this. I

> guess my man and I will need to keep practicing I just did the biofitness

online

> calculator and it came up with 21.5% body fat. I imiagine in realitiy I'm

somewhere in

> between those two numbers - I think. This is all very confusing. Do you

think I should

> get a professional to do a skinfold or just move on ahead and ignore the

numbers?

>

> Thanks so much and if you have any other feedback re: the dietary changes re:

bffm, I'd

> appreciate it.

>

>