MikeIsLosingIt.com - Latest Comments

Re: Bod Pod: Worthless in the Hands of a Boob

RoyH — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 18:00:34 -0000

Hello, everyone! I wanted to join this discussion because I feel that I can assist one way or the other with this subject. I apologize for the lengthy post. First, let me give a little background on myself since none of you know me. I've been an active duty Marine for 10 years and am a training partner for two world record holding power lifters. I'm a certified Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor/Trainer and currently attend Ohio State University in the Kinesiology program.
Today I had the privilege of having 4 different body composition tests done. I am 70" and weighed 198 lbs. this morning. First, we did Skinfolds which put me at 15.4%. That measurement seemed realistic based off of my activity level and type of training in comparison to my diet. Second, we did girths which put me at 23.9%. Girths are well known for being inaccurate, especially on particularly muscular people. Third, we did the Bod Pod at 19.1% This also seemed high based off of the above reasons. Finally, we did the Under Water Weighing. UWW had me at 14.5%. This seemed feasible based off of the above reasoning as well.
Yesterday morning, I ran the same test on one of our varsity swimmers. He is 76" and weighed at 195.7 lbs. Skinfold = 12.5%, Girth = 19%, Bod Pod = 14.4%, and UWW = 12.3%.
This morning, I ran the tests again on a female subject. She is 65" and 128 lbs. Skinfolds = 16.5%, Girths = 22.3%, Bod Pod = 22.8%, and UWW = 21.5%.
The Bod Pod seemed really inaccurate the more muscular the person. First, myself having the highest Bod Pod %, then the male swimmer, and finally the female.
Based off of these examples, it seems that the Bod Pod has similar problems as the girth method. One reason for this, could be that the Bod Pod is programmed to estimate thoracic volume based off of height and weight instead of calculating it with Forced Vital Capacity (FVC). If this were true, an average sized individual might get a closer to true result from the Bod Pod compared to larger individuals such as a power lifter, division 1 swimmer, and more average slightly athletic female.
The second reason that the Bod Pod may have an issue is that it computes BF% from one of two set equations. The Siri equation (for average sized people) and Brozek equation (for unusually small or large people). The equation used is selected based on the opinion of the technician running the Bod Pod. If the technician selects the wrong equation, it will produce completely off the wall results. (Such as the difference between Mike's 33% and 45% or worse)
Let me know what you think about this. I know some of these posts are really old. However, I came across this today (6-10-2014) in search of comparisons of Bod Pod to UWW based off of what I have observed in the lab for my Body Comp Eval class.

Re: The Bod Pod

Dr Jim — Sat, 21 Sep 2013 13:31:43 -0000

Mike, I stumbled upon your page in an internet search. Thanks for adding the info you have regarding your experience with the Bod Pod. I actually own one in Houston and am in the process of creating a mobile testing facility (climate controlled mobile unit). There are six other units here but all are in hospital settings other than the Houston Texans having one. I am glad to bring this mobile platform, in addition to having KORR MetaReview RMR, and Cosmed Fitmate V02Max/AT testing to area gyms, clinics, and nutrition centers.

I am painstakingly addressing climate and optimal testing environment standards so that test subjects can rely on traceable and calibrated measures.

You are right with your inference that "the Bod Pod is useless in the hands of a boob"... as the unit does require calibration and know how to assure accountability to the NIST standards and repeatability. It is not that the system is unreliable, quite the contrary, it is that the environment and people measured are subject to variations.

Just so you know, feedback like yours is appreciated and correlated by those of us that operate this technology for the consumer! I hope you reach your goals!

Dr Jim Costello - Houston, TX

www.MobileBodPod.com

Re: Finally in the 250s…Again

The Dave — Fri, 12 Jul 2013 01:17:52 -0000

Hey Mike... Long time, no chat (and no posts).

How's it going? Did you ever get to your target? Any luck keeping the weight off? Do you still do the gym thing on a regular basis?

(Apologies if this is a duplicate, Disqus threw an error and it doesn't look like it posted)

Re: Finally in the 250s…Again

The Dave — Fri, 12 Jul 2013 01:14:20 -0000

Hey Mike... Long time, no chat, and no updates... How are things going? Are you maintaining your weight or still losing? Do you still do the gym/exercise thing?

Re: Finally in the 250s…Again

Meg Hykes — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 16:56:04 -0000

Awesome job losing 26.4 pounds so far! That's fantastic! Just keep at it slow and steady. I don't know any one that lost it fast and kept it off!

Re: Finally in the 250s…Again

LouanneMason — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 22:23:55 -0000

Woot!

Re: Bod Pod: Worthless in the Hands of a Boob

Mike — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:45:55 -0000

Thanks for the comment! Since posting this I've actually had a researcher, who has a Bod Pod in her lab, tell me that you have to be extremely careful with them. They are very accurate if calibrated properly, but even a simple bump, such as when you are cleaning the room can mess up the calibration. So, obviously you really need to know what you are doing to administer the test accurately.

I'll just be sticking with the hydrostatic weighing from now on.

Re: Bod Pod: Worthless in the Hands of a Boob

Shellkay1212 — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 12:02:10 -0000

THANK YOU for posting! I had a bod pod done 3 months ago. The same week I started working with a trainer and after I had lost 45 pound without any strength training to speak of. It measured me at 40% fat, and 115 pounds of non-fat.

I had one yesterday - after strength training with a personal trainer for 3 months. A hard core, no-nonsense, no pussy footing around trainer. Ex-NFL linemen..no kidding around here. I now have biceps and triceps that you can actually see. Not to mention quads that have never been stronger.

Anyway, yesterday. I had the BP and it showed I lost 9 pounds of MUSCLE and my fat is now 44%. WHAT!? After talking to the kid administering the test who ranged from 'it's the most accurate test next to the water test' and 'it could be 2-3% off'... he said I 'should just use this as motivation'. He also said the results made no sense.

SO FRUSTRATED

Re: I’m a Low-T Gingerboy

Emilybates1011 — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:39:36 -0000

Your commentary on this was great....hope these injections are helpful!

Re: I’m a Low-T Gingerboy

Mike — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:03:09 -0000

Thanks. I hope so, too.

I'll get the weight back off. This is a permanent lifestyle thing for me now, so the weight gain is just a temporary, modest setback. I'm paying close attention to it now and seeing it slooowly come off again. We'll see if it starts coming off quicker once the health issue is corrected.

Re: I’m a Low-T Gingerboy

Keason385 — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:16:11 -0000

Hoping the injections get you back to where you need to be and the energy level back up. Not fun all of the weight gain after how hard you have worked to get it off. Good luck.

Re: I’m a Low-T Gingerboy

LouanneMason — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:10:38 -0000

Maybe they could put in a Lord of the Rings room! Have a big sword and a fake ring?

Re: A Year of Not So Much

Natt2906 — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 07:39:25 -0000

Mike stick with it! I am just starting out on a weight loss journey to loose 90 lb. and I have found your story really inspiring. You seem to have amazing perseverance so I am sure the next year on your journey will be a success.

Re: A Year of Not So Much

Lynnea — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 23:03:14 -0000

Mike....thanks for sharing! just really proud of you for sticking with it...even when you don't see the numbers go down on the scale. You are an inspiration and I'm excited to hear how this next year goes...one day at a time!
Blessings,
Lynnea :)

Re: Is Mike Still Losing It?

LouanneMason — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 12:34:25 -0000

Re: Is Mike Still Losing It?

Nancy Peterman — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 12:21:28 -0000

Mike, check this out. Vern uses this and it is a great way to lose weight. He has issues beyond caloric intake, but the PACE program is hugely helpful to him.

http://www.totalhealthbreak...

Re: Then and Now

Kim Whiteside — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 15:59:13 -0000

Mike! Thanks for posting the before and after pics! I'm such a visual person and couldn't believe the difference. Looking great! All that hard work has totally been worth it--and I'm sure your family agrees! Keep up the good work!

Kim

Re: Then and Now

Tracy E. — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 09:52:54 -0000

You look incredible - so proud of you! You have added years onto your life, no doubt.

Tracy

Re: Then and Now

Linda Landy — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 00:42:57 -0000

Michael, You look so fabulous!

Your photos are astounding, no Photo Shop? Just kidding ;)

You already know that weight gain, especially during vacation, is a detour during a weightloss journey. Like you said, you are back home now and ready to get back on the road towards your final destination. Great job on your workout!!

You are such an inspiration and I am so proud of all you have accomplished.

Keep up the good work you and your beautiful family are well worth all the effort!

Re: Bod Pod: Worthless in the Hands of a Boob

vanessa — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 18:48:41 -0000

Mike, I'm so glad I found your blog. I did the bodpod at the city club yesterday and it measured me at 22.8%. now, that's not a bad number especially for z woman but I had skin calipers done 4 weeks earlier and was 14% not to mention I've been training and dieting for a fitness show since then. I had the skin calipers done again today and I'm at 13.6% about 26 hours after the bodpod. I'm leaning toward the calipers as more accurate especially considering my abs are visible as are my I guinal lymph nodes and I van see striations in my upper body.... Have you found out anymore info about the bodpod since your test?

Re: Up go the calories, and up goes the energy

Tricia — Thu, 05 May 2011 22:52:13 -0000

Hooray for energy! I'm so glad you're feeling better and I hope that your new plan pays off. You are right...it's much better to feel good while you're trying to achieve the rest of your goal.

Re: Up go the calories, and up goes the energy

Laura — Thu, 05 May 2011 20:42:40 -0000

You're doing a great job. It seems like it would be normal to slow the whole thing down a bit around now. You look like you're really close to your goal weight!

Re: Up go the calories, and up goes the energy

LouanneMason — Thu, 05 May 2011 17:06:33 -0000

Yeah! Love you!

Re: The Bod Pod

Susan — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 12:43:59 -0000

Where was the cheaper place you found in North Dallas?

Re: Wednesday Weigh-in: 246.0

Kathy E — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 17:01:33 -0000

Congrats, Mike! You look great. I just stumbled upon this after seeing the baptism pictures. Keep up the hard work.