Thursday, February 9, 2012

A weighty subject

In the ever on-going play we call 'getting older', My Beloved and I have both stepped up and are trying to eat a healthier diet and lose a few extra pounds. Her office staff is doing a Biggest Loser contest. So far she is making headway with the leaders. She has also been attending an aerobics class. She is the one who inspired me to pitch in and get a little healthier.

To that end, I retired our old spring-loaded Metro scale and went out and purchased a new one. It has performed well over the years but it's time for change. As well, Ragin' Cage uses it for a bouncy toy when he brushes his teeth. The new ones's all fancy and shiny. It has the newest accoutrements such as being able to set your own height and age. All very nice but that lets you at least track your progress. I tend to think like clocks in your house, no two scales weigh someone the same. In my opinion they are at least close and you use them to calculate change rather than rely on that number as absolutely accurate.

As I excitedly unwrapped the box and read the instructions for programming, I took note of the features. You can measure weight (obviously), body fat percentage and muscle percentage. My body fat percentage was higher than I hoped. (I'll be working on that one). Then as I read on, the instructions on muscle percentage stated there are no standard guidelines for this measurement.

You're kidding, right? So I go to a handy-dandy internet search (notice I didn't say Google) and, I can find no particular guidelines for how much percentage of muscle a person should have. How is it a product touts a feature right on the front of the box that has no standard of measurement known to mankind?

Wow do I feel duped.

3 comments:

  1. In actuality, the scale can't measure true body fat percentage. It is calculating the number based on gender, age, height and weight. This assumes that all people in a particluar ctegory are the same. The only way to get a true body fat percentage is with a measuring tape and calipers. So the boz has duped you twice.

    Of course, you have the right attitude by looking at change instead of actual number, so I guess it doesn't matter anyway!

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  2. Alas, I shall hang my head in shame.

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  3. Calculate your BMI - it's a fair guide and is adjusted based on height and weight. Do an internet search and you'll find online calculators. We did this in PE every year when I taught.

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