BF Estimation

[Nicola13]

Hi Girls,

posted this in the general fat loss forum but never got a reply (dont think the guys were interested since I was female)

Really confused by bf measuring scales and seem to get different results.
At the moment the scales read 33%!!!
Please can someone check out the attached photos and give me an estimation of what you think my correct bf% is. Be totally honest and harsh please. Know my body fat is higher than it should be but not 100% convinced by scales.
(All photos are relaxed)

[Darshiva8]

There are a ridiculous number of threads that explain the pros and cons of various measures of bf%, just search a little in the forum.

With the scales that use bioelectrical impedence, they tend to run pretty high and are dependent on a number of factors. In order to get precise (not accurate, mind you) measurements, be sure you are using the same scale and measuring under the same conditions every time, so same time of day, etc. Something like Saturday morning after morning restroom business. The reason is that it tends to be very sensitive to water distribution and such. Again, this won't give you an accurate measure, but you can track the trend in your bf% over the weeks whether you are trying to lose fat or gain muscle.

Or you can do what some of the ladies may suggest, and say screw the numbers, what do I look like in the mirror on Saturday morning. I do a bit of both. The mirror is the big indicator for me, but the engineer in me likes the numbers even if I have to attach a lot of assumptions and whatnot to them.

[juliacheh]

approx 27-28 IMO.

[Jeshi]

I am not very good at estimating BF% yet... But something I did was go to 5 different sites that use a ratio to calculate BF%. You need to measure various parts (ie. wrist, height, neck, waist, hips, abdomen, thigh, calves, etc).. What I did then, was just add them all together and divide by the number of numbers you added together, THUS getting the average.

Again not accurate, but it is interesting to see.

[brandibopeep]

approx 27-28 IMO.

^^^that would be my guess FWIW

[birdiefu]

You carry it well with a nice distribution (slightly pear-y, but that is normal for women), I would say 26-28, but I'm no expert.

[hieronymous]

I agree with the 26-28

[Nicola13]

Thanks guys.I was thinking high 20's but just wanted a second opinion. I've got a long way to go but only week one so hopefully il bring that down.
Darshiva8 - think i will use the same scales every time at same time of day. like you say then i will know the amount my fat is changing even if it isn't 100% accurate.
Hopefully now I know what this kind of body fat % looks like i can find it easier to guess my progress :)