“To calculate your LBM, you first need to know your body fat percentage. You can find this by weighing yourself on a body fat scale.”
Those scale are so inaccurate that Consumer Reports no longer tests them. So while LBM is probably a very useful number, most people have no way to get an accurate measurement.
I mentioned it on the other thread and was labeled “hard core” but there are mobile hydrostatic body composition testing trucks that make the rounds in some of the major population centers and also there’s the DEXA scan, which is even less available to consumers. But the article suggests the caliper pinching method, which is OK, if access to other methods aren’t available.
I’ve done the hydrostatic method a few times since they come to the local clubs to drum up business. The test also yields other good health information, such as how many calories you burn, etc. And they give you a printout of the results.
My current gym used the calipers on me in June. It will be interesting to see what the difference is in a few months.
The accuracy of calipers is extremely dependent on the skill of the practioner. It takes hours of experience to even get consistent readings let alone accurate ones. In the right hands, professional grade calipers are a good tool. More interesting are the portable ultrasound units that are available. Just behind hydrostatic and Dexascan units and will also give you contrasts between visceral fat and lean tissue. For many fitness centers and serious athletes who want to measure body fat, these are relatively affordable units. Don’t cost much more than an Iwatch or fancy Garmin.
I have done the dexascan twice. Once it was covered by my health insurance–my pcp referred me; the second time I had it done at a health spa (Canyon Ranch). IIRC it was about $400.This was four years ago.
Sharing this here. Some good advice re: the dreaded side stitch that can hit during a race.
https://therunningbug.com/fitness/injuries/6-steps-for-runners-to-prevent-and-fix-a-stitch
832 steps, anyone? 
Stairs are hard!!! Credit where credit is due to anyone who completes this!
Bunsen, you’ll have to sign up and report back! That’s a whole different kind of endurance event. How do they seed people for the waves, I wonder? I see you can be part of the “Top Pot” donut wave and get a donut when you reach the top. I think I’d rather just go buy one!
This has been an exhausting week and I think I’m doing too much stupid running. I ran Monday. I ran this morning. I am running again tonight and again tomorrow morning. I don’t want to but it’s running I committed to with various people and groups so I feel obligated to follow through on it. Stupid runner might be a more accurate description!
All runners are stupid! Just back off your pace a LOT- especially with the heat. Get your obligations done and then take a breather! Proud of you!
I had 3 hard days of running on my trip to PA- 12 (flat), 5 and then 6 (not horrible hills but not flat) and all were in humid weather. I woke up this morning (add the travel on top of that) and I felt exhausted. Managed 2.5 miles which was enough.
I think part of the problem is that I don’t have a fall race planned. I’m more than a little burned out on the half and full marathon distance and the training that goes with it - I think if I’d felt any measure of success with any of my recent races I’d be excited to continue training. As it is, I feel like I’m just running aimlessly. I need to get it together.
I got bored on about page 8 of the rules. Does it really need to be this complicated?
Plus it appears this is a significant for-profit event for the space needle people. They will pocket more than if you just buy a ticket and take the elevator! Is that normal? It rubs me the wrong way for a supposed charity event, but maybe that’s how these things work.
I’d hate to be the EMT on duty when the call comes in that someone sprained an ankle 400 steps up. 
@sabaray Have you tried a mud & obstacle race? 
I’m planning to do a Tough Mudder in a couple months.
^^^Any 15K races in your area @sabaray ? Or even a 10K that you know you can ace but you could make additional goals with it (PR or something)???
I have a neighbor who I think has gone bananas. She started on a weight loss journey several months ago and doesn’t look like the same person - I believe she has lost 80-100 pounds - she was quite heavy. She is in her late 30’s.
She is your basic overachiever in life and work - not a bad thing! But I think it describes her. She also is a SUPER half glass full person - which of course I love. BUT. She has taken fitness to what I’m starting to wonder if it’s a dangerous level.
Her first exercise of choice was mainly swimming - worked her way up to regular 2-3 mile laps in the pool. I know this because she FB/Instagram posts EVERY. SINGLE. SWIM. and her Apple Watch read out. Something to truly be proud of.
She used to bike leisurely. And walk her dog leisurely. Now she is getting up at 5am and walking 5 miles before her kids get up. She is riding bike late at night to get more miles in. She decided to try a mini-triathlon. She finished and was thrilled (many photos documenting on social media). Now she is ALL IN to “tri’s” - she has done 3 or 4 in the last month. Has a couple more scheduled. Is trialing $2-3K bikes to consider buying.
Is this normal? So many triathlons consecutive weeks? Talk about HARD CORE!!!
I’m worried she is going to either injure or burn out.
(not sure why I posted this AFTER responding to Sabaray! It’s just been on my mind! I’m a wee bit jealous, a little tired of seeing all the social media posts (and I’m sure others are - we see EVERY beautiful flower and nature scene in the course of a walk!!) and just concerned that she is really overdoing it - she looks great but is not done with her weight loss journey yet.)
That’s a tough one @abasket. There are many kinds of eating disorders and over exercising is one. People do not like to talk about eating disorders, and it’s hard to figure out if it’s the zeal of the newly converted or a problem.
But the endless posts are so annoying. I get posting about what you like, but not on and on.
@sabaray — what about training for a fast 5K? It’s a totally different experience than a half-marathon, and so is the training.
Sounds pretty normal to me abasket! Tri training requires a lot of time.
But to do 3 tri’s within a month when you’ve never done a swimming, biking or running race before in your life?!!
That’s a lot. Even if they are really short, it’s a lot. Seems a little OCD/
If she is in good shape and is participating as opposed to racing, three sprints in a month isn’t too bad. But it is pretty OCD. I say as someone who also gets obsessed like that. Do you know her well enough to have watched her become hyper focused on something and then move on?
fwiw I have known other people do that. Some have the zeal of a convert, like your neighbor, and have gone from overweight to Boston qualifiers in a short time, gone from terrible eating habits to excessively vigilantly healthy. They have been laid low by injury eventually and then become more moderate. My favorite story was of a guy who went from cocaine addiction to running addiction.