When Do I Take A Reading?

Consistency is the key. The best time is in the early evening, before your meal. This is when hydration levels are more stable. Avoid taking readings after you've woken up in the morning. Not only will you be dehydrated, but also any fluid will be stored centrally in your body's trunk. As the day goes by, water becomes more evenly distributed through the limbs. This increases the readings' accuracy. Several other factors can affect hydration and the readings' accuracy. These include:

• Temperature
• The amount of exercise you've taken
• Menstruation
• Medical conditions and medications
• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Bathing patterns

Take these into account when you take readings. The more your body is dehydrated, the more the potential fluctuation in your body composition percentage.

SO REMEMBER: Take your readings at the same time and under the same conditions every day. Look for the long-term trend - body fat levels change slowly over time.

How Periods Affect Hydration Levels

• Women experience a much greater change in hydration levels throughout their menstrual cycle.
• You need to take a body fat reading every day for a month to understand the full range of normal fluctuations and establish the most reliable baseline.
• Hormonal changes during menopause can also cause water retention and measurement variations.