What is your Ideal Body Fat% (Women Under 5'4)

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  • sdado1013
    sdado1013 Posts: 209 Member
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    I'm a half inch under 5'4 and 26 yrs old I have athletic build and big bones.
    CW: 137lbs
    GW: 125lbs
    I'm shooting for 16% body fat
  • middlehaitch
    middlehaitch Posts: 8,487 Member
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    5'1, 61, small boned stick insect 33 25 34
    SW 130
    CW 100-105Maintaining 5yr
    bmi 19.1
    BMR 957
    BF% scale says 19.8, USMC online measurements calc 20.1, I think it is higher, still needing more muscle.
    A bookworm who Lifts, Zumbas, Aquafits, to keep them bones and muscles healthy.
    Maintenance cals 1200-1450.
  • WickedPineapple
    WickedPineapple Posts: 698 Member
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    I'm curious as to why so many of you are aiming for such low body fat %s. This is taken from the same site the OP linked...


    Body Fat Percentage Women 10-12%
    This is an extremely low body fat level typically attained by female bodybuilders. Essential fat for women is round 8-10% compared to 2% for men. Why the difference? Women have more fat in breast tissue and the area surrounding the uterus. This level of body fat is not considered safe, or healthy for women who will be unable to menstruate. Striations of muscle, separation between muscles, clear vascularity are all noticeable at this level. The women in the photo is likely at the higher end of the range at 12% body fat because she is not too vascular.

    Body Fat Percentage Women 15-17%
    This is still considered a very low body fat for women, which is similar to the 6-7% body fat for range men. Many bikini and fitness models will reach this body fat level and some may not be able to menstruate. Muscle definition in the abs, legs, arms, and shoulders is apparent, there is some vascularity and some separation between muscles. Hips, buttocks, and thighs generally have a little less shape because of the low body fat.
  • smalls9686
    smalls9686 Posts: 189 Member
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    I too was a little shocked. Seems most are aiming way lower than me or higher than I am. When I look at the picks I def think 20-25% looks the best... Fit but still curvy. But everyone is different...
  • middlehaitch
    middlehaitch Posts: 8,487 Member
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    Smalls9686, you are so right, everyone is different. I think my body fat is lower because I have little in the way of curves.
    Cheers, h.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
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    smalls9686 wrote: »
    I too was a little shocked. Seems most are aiming way lower than me or higher than I am. When I look at the picks I def think 20-25% looks the best... Fit but still curvy. But everyone is different...

    I agree, but yeah, people all have their own ideas and bodies.
  • trina1049
    trina1049 Posts: 593 Member
    edited February 2015
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    Hi, I'm 5'2.5," Medium frame
    65 years old, hourglass shape
    CW: 136, current size 6/8 Petite US
    GW: 128-130
    Body Fat: 26.5 - 27% ? According to various sites - probably not accurate.
    Goal BF: 24%

    I think lower body fat is only attainable in younger people. I'd be happy with 24%.
  • Shauna2626
    Shauna2626 Posts: 196 Member
    edited April 2015
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    I'm 5 ft 1 in, 129 lbs, and according to my Bod Pod assessment today, I have 24.8% body fat. My average pant size is 6 but varies by brand and clothing style (I have some shorts in sizes 2 and 4), and I generally wear a small or sometimes medium in shirts.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
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    5'4"
    SW 163
    CW 133
    GW ?

    I think I'm around 22% now. Would like to be 18%
  • sunnyshade10
    sunnyshade10 Posts: 1
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    Hey - I too am a shorty,
    4'11- I've seen from over the years loosing and gaining that for every 5 lbs I loose or gain...it's a dress size. I wonder if any one else experienced that as a shortie
  • minties82
    minties82 Posts: 907 Member
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    I'm 4'11" and think 25% body fat looks good on women. My current percentage is probably 50.
  • threnjen
    threnjen Posts: 687 Member
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    5'1"
    SW 162 (size 12)
    CW 117 (size 2)
    GW 112
    Body fat 21-24% depending on source (home scale, online calcs, gym caliper tests)
    Goal BF: 20%

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