Total novice - tell me about body fat, please

[LapinDeBois]

Five years after having DS1, I've finally decided to do something about the weight (about a stone and a half) that I never lost after having him. When I started dieting, about four months ago, I used one of those weight/BMI/body fat machines that they have at sports centres. It told me I was 11 stone 9, BMI 27.3, body fat 34.6%. Since then I've been slowly but steadily losing weight (I'm not in a rush!), and when I used the machine again today it confirmed that I'm now 11 stone 3 with a BMI of 26.2, which I'm happy about. However, my body fat has shot up to 41.6%. I don't really know anything about body fat percentages, but this seems really high. Is it a cause for concern? Is it plausible, given that I've lost weight? Is there anything I can be doing about it except continuing to try and lose weight? Thanks!

I am not any sort of expert, and I don't know how tall you are etc, but I'm 5'7" and when I was around 11 stone my body fat % was around 31%, I'm now around 10st 3 and my body fat is just over 27%. My BMI now is around 22.5. I think I'd try it again in a week or so, sounds like one or the other was a mistake :)

Ooh, I like the idea it was a mistake . Thanks Rockchick. I'm planning to lose a few more pounds before Christmas and then put it all back on again, so I'll check it again in a couple of months.

I think those machines are affected by how hydrated you are as they measure body fat by sending a current around your body or something and the body fat is measured by resistance. Im not sure if benig dehydrated would give you a higher or lower reading or vice versa though!