I posted an earlier thread about feeling kind of weak and since I've been to my doctor and she's run all kinds of tests which were all normal, I wondered whether it could be that I've just lost a lot of muscle mass.

Well, since I have a Tanita scale and I know where I started out and where I am now, it occurred to me that I could figure out exactly how much muscle (and/or water) I've lost.

Here's the grand total: I've lost 73 pounds Of that, 50 pounds were fat. And 23 pounds were something else, presumably muscle. That's a lot of muscle.

So people, it really is no joke. Eat your Protein and do weight training. Especially those of you who are just starting out and are going to be losing a lot of weight fairly rapidly.

Nancy

Thanks for that information Nancy. I sure hope you start feeling better soon. I still think it would be a good idea to go through with the rest of the testing. It sure can't hurt anything except your wallet.

Please keep us posted!

Sending a "BIG" Texas {{{{{{{{HUG}}}}}}}}} to you!

Thats good information to know.. being im am just starting... Thanks! Get Well Soon!!

They do say muscle mass is something you can't replace w/ a vitamin supplement. The only thing that works is good old exercise. Thanks for sharing, Nancy!

What's a Tanita scale, and how do you use it? I assume you would have to use that kind of scale before starting to lose though, so that you'd have current numbers to compare? I never knew there was a device that measured muscle mass vs fat. Interesting.

This is why I was told by my Dr. & nutritionalist to eat 60 grams of protein a day ..to not lose lean muscle mass and to eat it first during a meal.

Thanks for sharing this with us! I hope you do better soon. EAT SOME PROTEIN! AND KEEP THAT MUSCLE!!!

Tanita is a brand and there may be others, but it's a scale that tells you your weight AND your percentage body fat. You can get them almost anywhere. And yes, in order to keep tabs on this you would need to use one before you start losing weight and keep monitoring as you lose. I started out at 52% fat. And now I'm 45% fat. I kept wondering why it didn't seem like that percentage was going down that fast. Duh!

Yes, I'm going to continue working with my doctor, but this is still important information. I tried, but I wasn't always too good about getting in all my Protein. Matter of fact, I probably NEVER got in all my protein. And I never did weight training. Kind of sorry I quit the gym membership now.

n

I'm going to turn into egg or tuna salad. That's what I reach for when I'm in the mood for a snack, I figure it's loaded with protein.

How does that scale know what is fat and what is muscle? Do you stand on it like a regular scale?

Here is a website I found that sells it http://bodytronics.com/shop/index.cgi?code=3&cat=16&OVRAW=Tanita&OVKEY=tanita&OVMTC=standard

Hey, that's a decent price. Thanks. But I still don't understand how it knows the difference between muscle and fat. Maybe there's a tiny man in there.

I was wondering the same thing... so i have been reserching it heres what i found that might explain it better... It is just an estimated guess i think... Heres what i read:

Tanita has developed a simplified version of BIA that uses leg-to-leg bioimpedance analysis. In this system, two footpad electrodes (pressure contact) are incorporated into the platform of a precision electronic scale. A person's measurements are taken while in a standing position with the electrodes in contact with bare feet. The body fat monitor/analyzer automatically measures weight and then impedance. Computer software (a microprocessor) imbedded in the product uses the measured impedance, the subject's gender, height, fitness level, and in some cases age, (which have been preprogrammed), and the weight to determine body fat percentage based on equation formulas. Tanita's reference method is DEXA. Through multiple regression analysis, Tanita has derived standard formulas to determine body fat percentage. Tanita's equations are generalized for standard adults, athletes, and children.

The Tanita method has all the advantages of traditional BIA as well as greater ease of use, speed, and portability. Professional versions of the products ca be found in hospitals, health clubs, and research labs and include computer printouts of comprehensive data such as BMI, fat percent, fat weight, total body Water, fat-free mass, and BMR. The concept has been adapted for use as an affordable home monitoring device. Now ordinary people along with fitness enthusiasts and patients with health risks can measure body fat as part of a regular healthy lifestyle. The same variables apply with regard to hydration levels, and measuring should be done under consistent conditions.

I have the fat monitor in my scale. Basically, it measures electrical conductivity in your feet, I think. I don't keep track of body fat. I think we lose some muscle with weight loss no matter what. I know I feel weaker, and I have kept my Protein fairly high with supplements when needed.

I think you're right about the weight lifting. That would probably make the difference. I can't even think about doing that since I'm on my way to physical therapy in a few days because my tendonitis is acting up again.

Nancy, maybe you could try some resistance training. Does that build muscle? Do you have a community college nearby that has weight training? That might take the place of the gym. I'm starting a Pilates class next week. I hope that will build some for me.

Holy moly, that's one smart scale. Thanks for the info. I hope to get back to the gym soon. I actually miss it.

Nancy, some of that 23 pounds was probably Water, too. I'd be surprised if you lost that much muscle in such a short time.

Both of my Lap-Band docs use the Tanita scale. I'd like to think that my high fat percentage can't accurately reflect my whole body -- that it's just because I have such fat feet! Nice try, huh? Well, we all have our delusions.