Is my trainer messing with me? Calipers reliable for measuring body fat?

Hello there friends,

I have been HCRV for almost 5 months solid, no overts. I had my body fat percentage measured at the gym when I was about 4 weeks in, and I found out that I was at 16.1%. At that time I weighed 155lbs, I am 5'10''.

So. Today at the gym I weighed in at 175lbs, with shoes and clothing, and am now at 25.3% body fat according to the calipers. I know that dexascan is waay better, I unfortunately do not have access to one.

My trainer is giving me a whole lot of 'I told you so's", and telling me to go paleo. This is obviously not an option for me, or anyone else with half a brain. However, I am startingt o doubt the magic of fruit, and I am devestated to feel like this diet has failed me because I have given it all I've got for the last several months. I've been spending between $500 and $700 a month on (mostly) organic fruit. I have made many positive lifestyle changes since beginning my hcrv journey, such as quitting smoking, drinking alcohol and coffee/tea, dropping all spices and condiments, and being more active.

How can this be? Looking for some support and any helpful information before I go donate two cases of bananas to Occupy Portland. :(((((

Respectfully,

Caitlin

Tags: fat, from, fruit?

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Paul Cohen on February 12, 2012 at 7:45am

Tobacco also raises your metabolism, around 200 calories a day. Between that, it's appetite suppressing ability and the greater vibrancy of flavors when you quit smoking to tempt you to eat more, you could gain a pound a week if you're not careful to limit your food intake.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Caitlin Ann on February 12, 2012 at 1:49pm

Word.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by doghouse.reilly on February 11, 2012 at 3:32pm

Calipers are notoriously unreliable for measuring body fat percentage. The likeliest scenario is that you were measured incorrectly the first time. Were you exceptionally lean before this weight gain? 16 percent body fat is a lot leaner than most women.
That being said, a 20 pound weight gain is significant, and you have to be feeling that on your body. Do you feel less fit than before you started? Have you noticed a deterioration in your abilities?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Caitlin Ann on February 11, 2012 at 3:50pm

I was eating 955 and working out every day. I don't really know what qualifies as "exceptionally", but I was relatively thin. Definitely thinner than I am right now.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Derek on February 11, 2012 at 3:48pm

read

http://www.30bananasaday.com/forum/topics/how-to-accept-fat-gain-and

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by golden skan on February 11, 2012 at 8:33pm

Thanx for redirecting me to this thread Derek

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Greenmama on February 12, 2012 at 1:07pm

Thanks for posting this. I had not read it before. My favorite quote was, "Stop thinking that if your problems aren't fixed in two months, six months, or even a year that this isn’t working for you. Just keep pushing through. If your entire life revolves around how you look than you need to figure out your life’s purpose and do it fast!"

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Caitlin Ann on February 12, 2012 at 1:51pm

Thank you SO much for posting this. It's awesome!!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Georgia on February 11, 2012 at 3:51pm

Honey, I'm also 5'10" and I can see a VERY obvious difference when I go from 155pds to 175pds! So if u haven't noticed a big difference, then something is measuring incorrectly or u've not any fat yet but have gained muscle and some fluid or something.

If u had never had this second reading, would u still be feeling good and happy with the changes u have made for your health and life? Cos if the answer is yes, then stop worrying and keep doing what you've been doing xo

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Freshtival on February 11, 2012 at 4:02pm

Are you adding salt to your food ?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Caitlin Ann on February 12, 2012 at 12:29pm

No, I haven't had salt or overts in almost 5 months. I would almost go as far as to say I'm paranoid about salt. My friend once boiled some hot water for me and I wouldn't drink it because it tasted salty to me. It was probably caused by the metal kettle, but it freaked me out sufficiently as not to drink it.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by DURIANRIDER on February 11, 2012 at 4:06pm

Calipers??? lol!

If you go on any steroid bodybuilding forums and say 'Im 4% body fat and my calipers prove it!!' they will laugh you off the forum lol!

As a PT since 99, I can fake caliper tests so easily and make people think they have lost or gained what I want em to think. You can also make someone think they are getting fatter just cos they are retaining fluid. One dodgy trainer I knew would get clients to take diuretics before the next weigh in so they would come back 'leaner'. They were told they were chinese herb training pills that aid in fat loss. He would buy em from the supermarket and sell em at a mark up lol! I guess sucker born every minute..

I can see your main problem though Cait, your seeing this as a DIET vs a LIFESTYLE!! lol! You stay up all night on the internet and go to bed at 6am and then you wonder why your body feels out of whack? Thats like an owl flying around during the day and sleeping at night. If the owl gets sick, we dont blame the mouse diet do we! We blame the real reason: MESSED UP BIOLOGICAL RYTHMS.