Body fat %

[BreakfastSurreal]

In October I was 36% Body Fat.
Since then I've only lost about 20lbs...but...
now I am at 22.9% Body Fat. When I was this weight while gaining weight, I think i was like 29%. woot. Progress. I hope to get down to 10-13%

 

[OUZBnd]

Damn, thats a good loss. Idk what I am now. Back in HS when i played soccer I was floating around 6-7%, i'm probably more like 10-12% if not more.

10-13% body fat for a girl seems very very low. I'm not saying you wont get that fit, but it will be one hell of an achievement if you do!

 

[BreakfastSurreal]

i guess i want to get lower because i still feel I have a substantial amount to lose. Pounds wise, I could stand to lose another 30. Any more than that would look sickly with the muscle tone that I have. My secret to gaining mass so quickly is definitely lifting like a man. No more wimpy weights and thousands of reps...I won't bulk up, even some guys have problems building bulk, and I'm full of estrogen so i doubt i will ever be body builder-ish unless i start taking creatine or roids. Also, it is possible that my numbers above are not accurate. This time around I used calipers, but before I used a machine you grip that tells you your BMI and all, both were done by my trainers, but the accuracy between one and the other might be slightly off. But I know for sure I was at least over 30 when I started, and 36% according to that machine.

 

[OUZBnd]

I'm wondering if I can calculate my own body fat using calipers. I just need to find the directions.

Here's a table of healthy body fat levels for men and women. I think if you got down to 10-13% it would be very unhealty

Age----(women)-----(men)
20-39--21-32% -----8-19%
40-59--23-33%------11-21%
60-79--24-35%------13-24%

Source: Your Body Fat Percentage: What Does It Mean?; Seattle Washington WA

 

[BreakfastSurreal]

i found a pretty good site, lemme find the link...it tells you exactly how to do it. Although I didn't do it myself these instructions are pretty specific and easy to follow and I think if I had the calipers I could do it myself. The only part youd have trouble with maybe is the spot on the back of the arm that you have to pinch with the calipers. There is actually even video instructions here on this site:
Bodybuilding.com - Measuring Body Fat Articles!

 

[BreakfastSurreal]

well it would be unhealthy at 10-13 if i didn't have muscle tone. I dunno maybe I'll shoot for 16ish. I just feel like I need to keep upping my goal because I know I don't look anywhere near what I want to look like right now. My body fat is low (im kinda almost thinking they screwed up or something now....i know i have more fat than your avg person...) but my muscles are growing and taking up more and more space and kicking the fat's ass.

 

[OUZBnd]

Go for it! You;ve got to set your goals high so you have something to strive for. But becareful not to set them to high as to get discouraged. You seem to be very determined, I'm confident you will reach your goals.

BTW: Thanks for the website, i'm gonna check into that!

 

[BreakfastSurreal]

no prob! Well I think the secret is perseverence, not perfection. I just try not to beat myself up over diet cheats or those days that I just can't make it to the gym. It might take me a little longer than some people, but I am sticking with it and that's the key I think. Thanks Ouz

 

[OUZBnd]

I had mine calculated, it was 7.62%. I'm happy with that. Just want to lose a bit around the mid section and i will be real happy.

 

[BreakfastSurreal]

dang. yeah that is pretty low! grats!