Weighing solution: floor scales and objective data that you do not always want to talk about…

Modern electronic diagnostic scales can do a lot – not only measure body weight. They will show the percentage of fat in it, and the most advanced models – water, muscle and bone mass and more.

WHY IT IS NEEDED?

Diagnostic scales are models with the ability to measure all of the above, they are designed not only to control body weight, but also to motivate the user to deal with their health and to determine whether the chosen system of weight loss or gain is effective.

Judge for yourself: often we quit a diet or a healthy eating system just because we don’t feel the results. Agree that if you see a loss of only a couple of pounds when you want to lose 15, it can even be frustrating.

But if you realize that you’ve lost mostly fat and not just water, it’s already motivating to keep going. With accurate scales you can monitor your results even every day – and see your little step toward success every day, but nutritionists still recommend weighing not every day, but, for example, once a week or 10 days.

As for the diet or nutrition program, it is much easier to understand its effectiveness with measurements than by eye: for example, many diets can cause weight loss caused by the “drainage effect”, when the body loses water rather than fat.

A diagnostic scale can help us see if there is a parallel decrease in total body weight and percentage of fat tissue, or if it is unchanged. If weight loss and fat loss occur at the same time, then the diet system you have chosen is working correctly and there is a chance to consolidate the results.

HOW IT HAPPENS?

How can scales determine the amount of fat in the body?? A weak electrical discharge is passed through the human body – with the help of electrodes which are brought out to the platform of the scales.

Fat, muscle and bone tissue have different electrical resistances, allowing you to measure their mass fraction. This way of measuring dictates certain contraindications: diagnostic scales cannot be used during pregnancy, at high body temperature, for children under 10 years old, as well as people with pacemakers.

ABOUT FAT AND WATER

Normally men have about 17-25% body fat and women about 22-27%, but this figure depends a lot on the age and health.

The percentage of body fat changes throughout the day depending on physical activity, health conditions, and the amount of fluid drained during the day. When weighing on a diagnostic scale, remember that fat values may be lower after bathing, bathing or showering and higher after eating and drinking. Fluid content in the body may decrease during and after illness and after increased physical activity, the percentage of fat will definitely decrease as well.

From 52 to 62% of the human body consists of water, and with the help of diagnostic scales it is possible to control the percentage of water in the body and adjust this important indicator for the human body.

Doctors believe that if weight is lost rapidly, due to the draining effect of dietary supplements promising fast weight loss, protein or other mono-diet, it is wrong and the result may not hold up.

A balanced diet about 60% complex carbohydrates, 30% protein and 10% fat combined with exercise causes fat cells to burn and strengthens muscles.

THIS IS ME, MUSCLES!

The muscle mass index diagnosed by electronic scales is the sum of the weight of muscles of the musculoskeletal system, smooth muscles heart and digestive system and the water in them.

If a person is overweight and in a weight loss program, it is absolutely necessary to control muscle mass. Losing weight is considered effective only if fat tissue reduction is accompanied by the accumulation of muscle mass.

COUNT ALL BONES

Bone tissue is the framework, the basis of the human skeleton. They are firm, resistant to external influences and protect internal organs.

Together with the muscles, the bones and joints provide the ability for a person to move.

The most modern models of diagnostic scales have a function to measure bone mass by determining the weight of minerals in the body – we are talking primarily about calcium. It is interesting that the development of muscle tissue also strengthens the bones of the skeleton, and this should be taken into account when developing a diet and planning physical activity, especially for athletes.

Bone mass is an almost constant in the body and varies little, especially when compared to fat and muscle mass. But still, with age, calcium is washed out of the body, the bones weaken, and the scale may show it – and then urgently to see a doctor.

Many models have a function to calculate Body Mass Index BMI, Body MassIndex . Any competent work with weight begins with BMI calculation. The formula is as follows: a person’s weight in kilograms should be divided by the square of the height in meters. For example, if your weight is 70 kilograms and your height is 1.58 meters. Let’s do the math: 70/1,58 ² = 28,04. A figure of 28.04 means excessive body weight. In general, the accepted BMI values are as follows:

• BMI less than 15 is acutely underweight,

• BMI from 15 to 20 – weight deficiency,

• BMI between 20 and 25 is normal body weight,

• BMI 25 to 30 for overweight,

• Over 30 for obesity..

Scales with function of computing BMI for example, Bosch PPW2360, Beurer BG 13, Tanita BC-582 and others after each weigh show on the display an individual value of BMI, you only need to enter into the memory of the device your height before using it. By the way, some scales can measure your height!

CALORIE CALCULATOR

Calorie counting is a popular way to lose weight, and some models of scales have a function for calculating the number of calories needed based on personal information of the user – sex, age, height, weight and percentage of fat, bone and muscle tissue in the body.

Some models calculate the amount of energy the user’s body needs at complete rest to provide basic life functions. If you get this amount of calories with food, but also move actively, then the body will use up calories from its own fat deposits.

There are already scales in the world that are part of the smart home system: they do not just give out a figure – the number of calories in a day, but also make individual menus and food recommendations that are sent to your cell phone or tablet. Such technologies have not yet reached America, but it is only a matter of time.

ANALYSIS THIS!

If you observe short-term changes in weight “back and forth” for a few days, it is most likely due to changes in the amount of fluid in the body tissues, in women it depends on the menstrual cycle. Therefore it is advisable to regularly weigh yourself and analyze the results over a long period of time for example, several months .

You can only correctly assess the results if you know the initial ratios of total weight, percentage of fat and fluid in the tissues.

Some models allow you to analyze the effectiveness of fitness programs and food systems for 10 years, such as the Bosch Axxence Analysis Graphic, which allows you not only monitor the body, but also see a graph of their successes and failures in the past and make a personal plan for the future.

THEY REMEMBER YOU

And counted. Some devices are able to memorize individual parameters of several users – up to 10 people. Such scales can be used as a family or to lose weight with girlfriends in the office. Another handy feature – remembering the last result of a particular user: if you forget to record your previous weight, the device will not forget.

Expensive models used in fitness clubs and medical centers may be equipped with a remote control unit and even a built-in printer to immediately print out the results, but there is no point in using such devices at home.

OTHER THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR?

Battery level indicator – a very useful thing. The problem is not even that the battery will run out at the wrong moment, but that the scales with a discharged battery for some time still work, but give wrong results.

Almost all models have auto shutoff, but make sure it’s present: it’ll save on battery power.

The size of the display should be large and clear, when buying make sure that you can see all the figures from your height.

AND THE RESULTS ARE FRAMED AND PUT ON THE WALL

Models with body composition analysis functions are called diagnostic, but there is another unusual “variety” – the weighing watch and weigh-frame watch. As a rule, these devices have an interesting bright design, you can “download” photos and hang them on the wall.

And what’s great: take the weighing watch off the wall, weigh yourself, praise yourself for your success, admire your lovely, slim and irresistible self, look at the time and understand – it’s time to go to the gym! Be healthy!