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Quick and easy body fat measuring

November 13, 2015 //  by Di Hickman//  40 Comments

Accountability is HUGE for weight management and fat loss, and I’m going to admit that I haven’t been the best at tracking fitness, weight or fat percentage over the last year. I’ve been following the more intuitive method of just seeing how my clothes felt, how my body looked naked, and how I felt. That served me well for my 2015 goal of becoming a Registered Yoga Teacher, however for my 2016 goal of bikini competitor that is NOT gonna cut it. I need to know numbers. I’m a big believer in Karma and wouldn’t you know it just a week before I was due to go on vacation the folks at Blu Beets asked if I was interested in reviewing their smart weight loss scale, uh, yeah! I received a free smart scale from Blu Beets in exchange for writing a review on the blog.  This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase through those links, I’ll receive a small commision.

accountability weight management and fat loss pin2

So let’s start at the beginning with the truthbomb that weight loss and fat loss are NOT the same thing. Yes, you CAN lose weight and still have the same amount of body fat. Which is NOT what I want! My goals for 2016 mean I need to lean out by reducing fat, but also build some muscle. So let’s see where my starting point is and find out weight, body fat, BMI, and get some stats here, stat!

Body fat measurement methods

For those not in the know there are a few different methods for measuring body fat including: Dexa Scans, hydrostatic weighing, skin calipers and Bioelectrical Impedance. The Beets Blu smart scales work on bioelectrical impedance, which whilst not as accurate as Dexa or Hydrostatic methods it is quick and easy, can be done by anyone and is much more affordable. Dexa and hydrostatic are pretty accurate however that comes at a cost, both in time and money! One session could be upwards of $50. Skin Calipers can be great but again you need an experienced user. Whilst they do have a margin of error bioelectrical impedance scales measure fat loss quickly, easily, and you don’t need an extra person.

blue beets scale blutooth

Beets BLU smart scale

My first thoughts were “why do I need this? It’s just a scale right?”. Yes kinda, but wait, no! My old scale just did weight, and it had been gathering dust in the bathroom for a while, unused. Well this scale from Blu Beets is bluetooth so it tracks everything automatically to your iPhone, like magic! Yes for reals. No pen or paper needed! No entering the digits into your phone app, you step on the scale and it does all the tracking for you. Wow, technology exploding my head right there. I downloaded the app, and it walked me through setting up the app and my scale.

blue beets scale app
Foolproof set-up and instructions.

I’ll be honest I don’t think I could have gone wrong: insert batteries (included, thanks!), place on hard surface. For the body fat measurement you need direct contact with the skin (no socks). Step on scale, wait for 2 beeps. I was just thinking to myself “pretty sure I could have figured all this out” when my phone started talking to me. Wha? Yep my phone is telling me my stats! I don’t even need to lower my head to look at the scale display (which is a beautiful blue btw, you know I LOVE blue!!!)

beets blue scales
I had the scale set on KG initially then used the button underneath to switch to lbs!

So as you can see I started at 59 kg / 130.1lbs (hey the 0.1 counts), 26.4% body fat and 30% muscle. The fat and muscle ratios are the ones I want to turn around. As you can see I am now 128.5lbs and dropped a tiny 0.3% fat and gained 0.2% muscle however this was the day after! Which goes to show that you need consistency in the time of day that you weigh and measure yourself, as you would with ALL body fat measurement methods. As I generally take my stats in the morning I’m going with the bottom figure or 128.5lbs as my starting weight and stats.

accountability weight management blue beets
Accountability selfie. My abs are almost visible again! Those vacation treats did a number on my abs, plus flying in general bloats you! I miss Hawaii though!

Accountability for weight management and fat loss.

The Blu Beets scale is going to be a great tool for weight management and fat loss over the upcoming year! Love that I can track all this, without having to actually DO anything other than step on the scale. Yeah! Also it syncs with the ‘my health’ app if you were using that which is great. Oh and it also comes as an android app for apple-haters. All in all TWO THUMBS UP. Along with the  smart weight loss scale, I’ll be using my Garmin for running/biking and my heart rate monitor for weight training, other cardio and classes. All of which I’ll be tracking on Runkeeper and myfitnesspal, so friend me @workoutwithdi!

So what does all this mean for accountability? I have a ground zero. So my before pic is above and  these are my starting stats.

  • Weight            128.5 lbs
  • Body Fat         26.1%
  • Muscle            30.2%
  • Upper Bust    34″
  • Bust                 36″
  • Lower Bust    30 1/2″
  • Waist               30 1/2″
  • Hips                37″
  • Thighs             22″

Moving forward I want to reduce my body fat, increase my muscle mass, and lose inches from my waist, hips, and thighs. Hahaha don’t all women want slimmer waist and thighs? That means, diet, exercise, consistency, dedication and accountability.

For inspiration or my bikini competitor fitspiration: Jamie Eason. I love her build, her definition, and well her everything. This is what I’m shooting for. Lean, strong, but still feminine. I know she’s 2″ shorter than me and about 10-15 lbs lighter, but the kicker is she’s around 15% bodyfat so I have a ways to go there. But still amazing inspiration!

fitspirationJamieEason2

How do you stay accountable for weight loss, fat loss?

Who is your fitspiration?

 

 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. OhlalaLexie

    November 18, 2015 at 2:44 pm

    Such a neat concept for a scale and accountability is so incredibly important!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      November 18, 2015 at 7:00 pm

      Yes it is! I have some posts and projects coming up Dec/Jan to further expand on this!

      Reply
  2. Old World New

    November 17, 2015 at 11:07 am

    Oh, wow! I didn’t know they had a machine that looks like a scale that can measure your body fat! That is so cool, it makes me wonder what mine is right now!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      November 17, 2015 at 3:12 pm

      hehehehe yep so many cool tracking tools available! Plus they look pretty too!

      Reply
  3. CourtneyLynne

    November 16, 2015 at 12:31 pm

    I have a scale like this. Such a love hate relationship with the thing lol… I love knowing my body fat but at the same time it’s like yikes! Lol

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      November 17, 2015 at 3:12 pm

      hahahaha yes!!! I know when I got dunked for my measurement years ago I was like “Oh cool” but now I have more fat it’s like “Oh sh*t!”

      Reply
  4. Blanca

    November 16, 2015 at 1:26 am

    Ahh I don’t stay accountable at all for my weight and I need to change that ASAP. I have been wanting to eat more healthy and excerise more so I can lose a couple of pounds and to tone up my body 🙂

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      November 17, 2015 at 3:11 pm

      Yep accountability is big! Put it out there. Make it a blog post series? Monthly weigh in, take measurements, celebrate successes BUT never forget WHY you are doing it.

      Reply
  5. Debra

    November 15, 2015 at 8:39 pm

    This is fantastic! I just weaned my 18-month-old and I am ready to get my body back!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      November 17, 2015 at 3:10 pm

      Yeah! I have some workout posts so make sure to check those out!

      Reply
  6. AlmostSexyMommy

    November 15, 2015 at 1:25 pm

    You look amazing 🙂 This scale is pretty awesome, thanks for explaining how it works.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      November 17, 2015 at 3:10 pm

      Thanks! YOu are so sweet!

      Reply
  7. laura londergan

    November 15, 2015 at 8:23 am

    WOw isn’t that cool that a scale can do all of that. I am currently getting in shape myself & track my numbers/measurements every week so I know how important it is – great job!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      November 17, 2015 at 3:09 pm

      Yes! Tracking and accountability are huge!

      Reply
  8. Ana De Jesus

    November 15, 2015 at 3:06 am

    Your figure is incredible, oh my god you have abs that is pretty incredible!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      November 17, 2015 at 3:09 pm

      Hahahah Ana I’ve had better abs trust me! This is post Hawaii vacation abs!

      Reply
  9. Eva/ Kid Minds

    November 14, 2015 at 7:36 pm

    My clothes keeps me accountable. If I feel like my favorite jeans are getting too tight, it’s time to step up my exercise routine and skip the dessert. A smart scale would be a nice addition to my bathroom though

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      November 17, 2015 at 3:08 pm

      Yep that’s how I lived the last 12-18 months. However new goals = new plan!

      Reply
  10. Kirsten Maxwell (@kidsareatrip)

    November 14, 2015 at 7:28 pm

    What a cool scale! That would certainly help keep you accountable. Keep up the good work!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      November 17, 2015 at 3:08 pm

      Thanks Kirsten! So far so good!

      Reply
  11. Jaime

    November 14, 2015 at 3:21 pm

    You look amazing! Good luck with the competition next year! My goal is for 2017 (My 39th year!)! I think I need this set up.

    PS Jamie Eason is my girl crush and my inspiration!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      November 17, 2015 at 3:08 pm

      I know right! Jamie Eason is AMAZING! Total girl crush!

      Reply
  12. ohnikkashae

    November 14, 2015 at 3:21 pm

    I need to get a smart scale!! New year new healthy living!!!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      November 17, 2015 at 3:07 pm

      Yes this!!! All the goal setting!

      Reply
  13. Nicole Torres (@DesignItVintage)

    November 14, 2015 at 2:48 pm

    You look amazing. I need to jump into high gear and get moving.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      November 17, 2015 at 3:07 pm

      Aww thanks Nicole! Always room for improvement!

      Reply
  14. The Cuteness

    November 14, 2015 at 2:15 pm

    I’m pregnant right now and really enjoying not measuring any kind of body fat 😉 Come February, I’ll be back at it!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      November 17, 2015 at 3:06 pm

      oh definitely take some time to enjoy that freedom!

      Reply
  15. Ourfamilyworld

    November 14, 2015 at 10:34 am

    That is so cool! I want that scale.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      November 14, 2015 at 11:07 am

      It is cool!

      Reply
  16. Cynthia @craftoflaughter

    November 14, 2015 at 6:51 am

    I have a smart scale and the only thing you have to watch out for is to get over obsessed with numbers!!! Fair warning.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      November 14, 2015 at 11:07 am

      Oh I know that’s a possibility with any tracking. But for my goals it’s a necessity.

      Reply
  17. Claire'scomfycorner

    November 14, 2015 at 5:17 am

    Wow! Scales have become really advanced, this is perfect for losing weight 🙂 You are definitely inspirational!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      November 14, 2015 at 11:06 am

      Thanks so much! You’re too sweet!

      Reply
  18. Brianna George

    November 13, 2015 at 9:30 pm

    that’s a pretty cool scale.:) I am glad it helps you keep accountable.:)

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      November 14, 2015 at 11:06 am

      It’s definitely weird after a year + of not tracking anything to get back to being accountable to something.

      Reply
  19. logancan

    November 13, 2015 at 8:20 pm

    This is the neatest scale! I love that you have such awesome goals! I have a few that I am working to achieve and this was very inspirational for me! And those pics of Jamie? Wowza!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      November 14, 2015 at 11:00 am

      Thanks, I’m glad you found it inspirational! Setting goals is important, but identifying the reason behind the goals is what drives you! Yes Jamie is amazing!

      Reply
  20. tiarasandtantrums

    November 13, 2015 at 4:36 pm

    you look amazing! I don’t’ track anything I eat. i thought I might and tried to count calories once – too much work!! I don’t have time, i should, but I have asthma, allergies and acid reflux AND vertigo – so there is so much other stuff that distracts me that weight right now. I have

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      November 14, 2015 at 10:59 am

      Thanks!
      I don’t really track what I eat rather I just eat real food, lots of fruit and veggies. And hydrate well!

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Di. A yoga teacher with over 20 years experience in the health and wellness industry. My mission is to give you information so you can be fitter, healthier, stress-free and happier (no, seriously).

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