body fat estimation 45% seems so high

[jgttlb]

SO I had my body fat done at the gym, and honestly I just can't believe how high it is. He said it's 45%. I know I'm fat, but am I really that fat, all the online estimators put me around 30%.

Thoughts?

[MattyRange]

45%? is that even possible

[Miranda]

thoughts?

is your aim to conduct a poll and let the majority vote decide whether or not you can be 45% bodyfat?

really, what does it matter?

[eriquee]

Post a pic and i can tell you whether you are 30% or 45%

[oregonchick76]

Thoughts? You probably had your bf measured via BIA, right? That method is utter crapola and wildly inaccurate. Truly, it doesn't matter at this point. A healthy weight for you would be ~130-145. Work on getting down to that weight the RIGHT way - eating a moderate deficit, making sure you eat your ideal macros, and do a full body lifting routine like Starting Strength or New Rules of Lifting for Women. You should be able to lose around 1lb per week and in a year you'll be a new woman.

[jgttlb]

thoughts?

is your aim to conduct a poll and let the majority vote decide whether or not you can be 45% bodyfat?

really, what does it matter?

Of course it matters, I need to know if it was done right. If you have nothing to add, that's just fine but don't ask silly questions.

[jgttlb]

Thoughts? You probably had your bf measured via BIA, right? That method is utter crapola and wildly inaccurate. Truly, it doesn't matter at this point. A healthy weight for you would be ~130-145. Work on getting down to that weight the RIGHT way - eating a moderate deficit, making sure you eat your ideal macros, and do a full body lifting routine like Starting Strength or New Rules of Lifting for Women. You should be able to lose around 1lb per week and in a year you'll be a new woman.

I feel like body fat is more important than the weight on the scale. I've been 130, I was tiny but not fit at all. I'm new to lifting and think that keeping track of body fat is a good way to track muscle gains, but really I have no clue WTF I am doing. I do know I have no desire to be 130 again, I look weird in a size 2.

I will order those books, I think that is a great idea. This is all so new. Thanks.

[jgttlb]

45%? is that even possible

Apparently lol

[Miranda]

Of course it matters, I need to know if it was done right.

how would anyone know when you don't mention what method was used or post any reference pics?

'hey internets, my trainer sez i'm 45% bodyfat. is that correct?'

silly question = silly answer.

[kimm4]

Of course it matters, I need to know if it was done right. If you have nothing to add, that's just fine but don't ask silly questions.

Most bodyfat estimates are never accurate. At the end of the day it's a number that doesn't mean anything. Measurements, progress pics and the mirror will be your best guides. As long as your sticking to your nutrition and staying consistent with your training program...the results will happen and this is all that matters.

Good luck.

[oregonchick76]

I feel like body fat is more important than the weight on the scale. I've been 130, I was tiny but not fit at all. I'm new to lifting and think that keeping track of body fat is a good way to track muscle gains, but really I have no clue WTF I am doing. I do know I have no desire to be 130 again, I look weird in a size 2.

I will order those books, I think that is a great idea. This is all so new. Thanks.

When you are closer to an ideal weight, it might be helpful to track bodyfat changes over time to see how your training and diet is affecting your composition. Right now, you don't need that % - all you have to do is look in the mirror. Just focus on figuring out your calories, macros, and get started on a proper lifting routine.

Have you been here yet to calculate your calories/macros? - http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=121703921

[Cara0915]

If you're that overweight what does it matter what your body fat % is right now?
It doesn't at all.
All that matters is getting the fat off. Once you get rid of it and maybe plan to compete then you can worry about body fat %

[ChristensenFR]

It's only an estimation, percentages shouldn't be a concern. It's best to keep track through photo's rather than bodyfat % (I find personally). For one it's only an estimation and if done incorrectly it can be inaccurate, secondly It does really affect your self esteem if hearing a % that you are unhappy with. I was estimated 26% (person did it completely wrong). What matters is that you take photo's to remind yourself of where you were and where you are now. Easier to be happy with how you look through photo's than body fat percentage. Again this is my opinion, do what makes YOU happy.

[Schlangemann]

It's only an estimation, percentages shouldn't be a concern. It's best to keep track through photo's rather than bodyfat % (I find personally). For one it's only an estimation and if done incorrectly it can be inaccurate, secondly It does really affect your self esteem if hearing a % that you are unhappy with. I was estimated 26% (person did it completely wrong). What matters is that you take photo's to remind yourself of where you were and where you are now. Easier to be happy with how you look through photo's than body fat percentage. Again this is my opinion, do what makes YOU happy.

this, have some reps

[Ikeman83]

I'm not sure what you want people to do here. Without pictures of you, I can't tell you what your body fat percentage is. Here's a picture chart from my blog showing women at different body fat percentages. Just scroll down the page to get to the women's chart.

http://nonlyingiron.blogspot.de/2013/01/body-fat.html

If you're 45% body fat, that would mean that your 5'10 frame has 81 lbs of fat draped over 99 lbs of everything else. That might be possible if you lived an extremely sedentary lifestyle.

This was the highest body fat image I could find for a woman at your height and weight from http://www.mybodygallery.com/photos-...-shape.htm#img



That's probably 35%. Unless you're more overweight than the woman in that picture, there's no way you're 40+% BF.

[sonti]

It's impossible to say as it is all just estimates, but from your bodyspace, yes, it is possible (although maybe more 40% IMO but again that's a stab in the dark). MattyRange- females are different than males, 45% is high but not unusual for women.

[Ikeman83]

Just looked at your body space. You're over 40%.

[scotthm2]

Like everyone else said. Don't go by bf% its a really good wy to get u down. Just looked at your profile and I'd say it isn't far off. If you look at my avi I am about 30 there.
If you are doing better than lat week that's all that matters and if next week is better then this week then just keep it up u til you hit your goal weight for your height. Then and only then maybe worry about your bf.

[Simpy]

A healthy weight for you would be ~130-145.

Where did you get this number?

I'm 5'7, 145. Does this mean I'm not at a healthy weight?

[NutMeigh]

thanks for the post with the mybodygallery link!! Great for perspective

[jgttlb]

Thanks everyone, the only reason it matters to me is I need something to track. I like tracking things it's how I stay motivated. I was just shocked for hear 45%, having never had my BF done before it was just shocking there's no other way to put it. I just had a baby and I know I've got a long way to go but I'll get there.

[Simpy]

Thanks everyone, the only reason it matters to me is I need something to track. I like tracking things it's how I stay motivated. I was just shocked for hear 45%, having never had my BF done before it was just shocking there's no other way to put it. I just had a baby and I know I've got a long way to go but I'll get there.

It's nice to have something to track, I agree, but the actually number doesn't really matter as long as it goes down over time.

[oregonchick76]

Where did you get this number?

I'm 5'7, 145. Does this mean I'm not at a healthy weight?

http://www.healthchecksystems.com/heightweightchart.htm
But I apologize, I realize I pulled the range from the small frame column. Obviously the range is much larger when you consider larger frames - more like 130-160. I know those charts don't take into consideration muscle mass, like the BMI.

What surprised me is, according to my wrist size of 6", I have a medium frame, and the 'healthy' weight range for me is 118-132...but that seems really high. I'm already below that weight and nowhere near under weight. So as usual, YMMV and most calculators/charts are merely loose guidelines.

[jgttlb]

It's nice to have something to track, I agree, but the actually number doesn't really matter as long as it goes down over time.

Very true. Maybe I'll just look at , measurements or something. I just go nuts if somethings not going down every week.

[jgttlb]

But I apologize, I realize I pulled the range from the small frame column. Obviously the range is much larger when you consider larger frames - more like 130-160. I know those charts don't take into consideration muscle mass, like the BMI.

What surprised me is, according to my wrist size of 6", I have a medium frame, and the 'healthy' weight range for me is 118-132...but that seems really high. I'm already below that weight and nowhere near under weight. So as usual, YMMV and most calculators/charts are merely loose guidelines.

Thats an interesting chart, I have a small frame my normal weight (before pregnancy) is around 145-155. I've been as low as 130, but personally that's too skinny for me. I'm really surprised any chart would recommend that weight for someone my height.

[jgttlb]

I'm not sure what you want people to do here. Without pictures of you, I can't tell you what your body fat percentage is. Here's a picture chart from my blog showing women at different body fat percentages. Just scroll down the page to get to the women's chart.


If you're 45% body fat, that would mean that your 5'10 frame has 81 lbs of fat draped over 99 lbs of everything else. That might be possible if you lived an extremely sedentary lifestyle.

This was the highest body fat image I could find for a woman at your height and weight from

That's probably 35%. Unless you're more overweight than the woman in that picture, there's no way you're 40+% BF.

I spent 6 months on bedrest while pregnant, so sedentary is an understatement lol

[mid20sgirl86]

I'd say you look about 35% body fat. Might be good to get a few other opinions to see what it really is, and I'm not meaning on the internet either.

[discdoggie]

Look, the number does not matter.


It's just become cool to tell people "don't worry about the scale." And now they have a new number to obsess over.

And sorry, yes. Paying 130 bucks and driving 3 hours round trip to be DEXA'd is obsessive. . And it's STILL just an estimate. The only way to be accurate would be to be weighed, then dissected, scoop out all the body fat, weigh that, then do some calculations. But what good would that do? You'd be DEAD.


Most of us know we have fat to lose or not.

If you do, take the steps to lose the amount you need to feel pretty and healthy.

[wakechica]

Very true. Maybe I'll just look at , measurements or something. I just go nuts if somethings not going down every week.

You need to understand that your weight is going to fluctuate and you need to look at the 'big picture' not every day. By all means, weigh yourself every day BUT understand and expect that some days you'll have lost a 1lb, sometimes you'll have gained 5. Hormones, salt, water etc. all do this. Even a bad nights sleep can add a few lbs. You weight may stay the same for 3 maybe even 4 weeks but you might lose with the tape but then suddenly you'll get a whoosh and lose 5lbs. It's weird. Plot your results and look at the overall trend, not the day to day trend.

[Ikeman83]

I know that it's not the "spirit" of the thread, but I feel compelled to say this anyway.

What your body fat percentage is, what your waist measurement is, what your weight is, etc, etc, etc ad nauseum are tracking tools for you to use to measure progress. Weight is a pretty bad one, and body fat percentage is one that tells you something you already know from looking in the mirror, but is difficult to get a real measurement on. Probably the two best tools for you to use are a tape measure and a mirror. Start taking your measurements. Take them at the same time of the day, and chart them (my wife charts hers weekly). That should satisfy your urge to quantify your progress.

More important than any other measurement tool, however, are pictures. I'd bet that you can't tell me what you think your ideal thigh measurement is, but you probably know how you want to look. Take a picture once a month, and really look at them. Get the highest resolution images of yourself that you can, and really look for the differences from pic to pic. If you're working hard and not eating a garbage diet, they'll be there.

Lastly, be patient. It took my wife ~12 months to lose her pregnancy weight. She's 5'8, weighed ~140 lbs before, and weighed 188 at her heaviest, and 168 after delivering. She's been between 138 and 143 over the last few weeks, and is in better shape now than she was before the pregnancy. However, she was riding her bike to work still when she was 6 months pregnant. It will probably take you longer to get back in shape (or to get in shape period), however, if you eat right (see nutrition forum) and lift hard, you'll get to where you're going.

Good luck.