Women- What are your BodyFat and Muscle Mass goals?

savemama

I'm almost 2/3 of the way through my weight loss goals. So far, it's been mostly healthy eating with some toning/light cardio worked in.

Even with that I've lost 4% of my body fat and increased my muscle mass 3.5% (with a 30lb weight loss).

My plan is to hit my weight goal and then add heavy lifting... and maybe a trainer as a reward for my weight loss.

I'm having a heck of a time finding out what is a healthy/average or even ideal muscle % online.

So I'm curious- for women with fitness/lifting goals...what is YOUR BF% and MUSCLE MASS GOAL?

I don't plan to compete or do anything like that- just want to be toned and strong. (So if your goals are competition, will you be sure to include that so I can gauge if your goals ought to line up with mine?) Also, if you could include age? Because I keep reading that has an effect on the "right percent for you"

tlark88

Hi! I'm 24, 5' 5.5" and 175.6lbs. I don't have a goal muscle mass but my goal body fat is 21%. I picked it because its in the health (still having your period) range (20-25%) and I've read a few studies stating its the ideal body fat percentage for fertility.

I've lost about 4-5% body fat as well and I'm currently sitting at about 32.5% body fat. For working out I just do Jillian Michaels (any one of her videos) 3 days a week and cardio for about 30 minutes, 2 days a week. I hope that helps

SerenaFisher

Age: 29 (30 in a few months)
I don't have a muscle mass goal, just measurements goals with overall weight and activity to give me an estimated body fat.
My goal measurements
height: 5'8" cw: 141lbs
38Bust (c38)
24Waist (c26")
36Hip (c37")
Forearm 9" (that's current can be whatever, if it goes up though it will lower bf)
Bicep 11" (that's current, but can go up or stay the same, that's flexed)
Thigh 19" (c20.5")
Calves 14.5 (that's current calves, I'd like them to get to 13.5 but if they stay the same ah well)

Goal weight with said measurements 128-132lbs
Goal body fat with said goals: 16-18% BF
Current body fat: Around 20%'

Work outs; Started with 30Day Shred, Went on to Biggest Loser, Belly Butt and thighs, and Jillian Micheals kick box with elliptical for 40 minutes. Upped work out to 60 minutes following month mixing those work outs with elliptical. I am now doing Insanity the sixty day program. Next is P90x, then hip hop abs.

EmilyEmpowered

My goals as of right now (they are always changing the more I lose) are to lose another 10 pounds max and lose another 6% BF... Which would put me at 20%. I used a calculator online to determine what weight I would want to be to maintain my current muscle mass and just lose fat, this is all likely to change as pretty much every month I add on to or change my ultimate goal. I dont think I will ever stop working on myself though, thats why I have new goals all the time! :flowerforyou:

I dont know my starting BF, but the first time I tested it in march it was at 29.5% (5 pounds ago)

ETA: Also, I am 26 years old and have two little ones. My height is 5'4", waist is 30", hips are 37.5' and weight is currently 138 pounds.

SerenaFisher

Hi! I'm 24, 5' 5.5" and 175.6lbs. I don't have a goal muscle mass but my goal body fat is 21%. I picked it because its in the health (still having your period) range (20-25%) and I've read a few studies stating its the ideal body fat percentage for fertility.

I've lost about 4-5% body fat as well and I'm currently sitting at about 32.5% body fat. For working out I just do Jillian Michaels (any one of her videos) 3 days a week and cardio for about 30 minutes, 2 days a week. I hope that helps

I have been 16% body fat, though it isn't in the normal range it is for ATHLETES, which I am. Also, we still get our period.

savemama

Hi! I'm 24, 5' 5.5" and 175.6lbs. I don't have a goal muscle mass but my goal body fat is 21%. I picked it because its in the health (still having your period) range (20-25%) and I've read a few studies stating its the ideal body fat percentage for fertility.

I've lost about 4-5% body fat as well and I'm currently sitting at about 32.5% body fat. For working out I just do Jillian Michaels (any one of her videos) 3 days a week and cardio for about 30 minutes, 2 days a week. I hope that helps

I'd love to hear the research about ideal body fat % for fertility.

I am losing weight (in part) to get pregnant so this is particularly applicable for me!

savemama

Hi! I'm 24, 5' 5.5" and 175.6lbs. I don't have a goal muscle mass but my goal body fat is 21%. I picked it because its in the health (still having your period) range (20-25%) and I've read a few studies stating its the ideal body fat percentage for fertility.

I've lost about 4-5% body fat as well and I'm currently sitting at about 32.5% body fat. For working out I just do Jillian Michaels (any one of her videos) 3 days a week and cardio for about 30 minutes, 2 days a week. I hope that helps

I have been 16% body fat, though it isn't in the normal range it is for ATHLETES, which I am. Also, we still get our period.

ETA- I just realized... PP are you maybe confusing BMI with body fat %?

marie_2454

I'm 5'9 and about 155 and 20-21%, but my goal is 135-140 and 16-18%. I don't actually have muscle mass goals...just keep the muscle mass I have, get stronger, and lose the fat covering them lol.

SerenaFisher

Hi! I'm 24, 5' 5.5" and 175.6lbs. I don't have a goal muscle mass but my goal body fat is 21%. I picked it because its in the health (still having your period) range (20-25%) and I've read a few studies stating its the ideal body fat percentage for fertility.

I've lost about 4-5% body fat as well and I'm currently sitting at about 32.5% body fat. For working out I just do Jillian Michaels (any one of her videos) 3 days a week and cardio for about 30 minutes, 2 days a week. I hope that helps

I have been 16% body fat, though it isn't in the normal range it is for ATHLETES, which I am. Also, we still get our period.

I don't think she means anything bad about that. I think she's referring to the research about lower bodyfat% for women be correlated with annovulatory cycles.

I know she probably meant it just as a personal thing, but I want to ensure all women that are going for a leaner appearence that it will not harm their cycle in any way shape or form. It isn't ideal to go lower than 18% for fertility.

As stated here. Spent some time searching and shape magazine recomended 21% plus. However, no website is entirely clear and it's hard to find much saying what body fat is healthy for conception.
http://www.fertilityauthority.com/blogger/cindy-bailey/2010/12/21/you-need-body-fat-conception
I have two children, and have always been pretty lean, I will say I was around 21% when I conceived both though.

SerenaFisher

Hi! I'm 24, 5' 5.5" and 175.6lbs. I don't have a goal muscle mass but my goal body fat is 21%. I picked it because its in the health (still having your period) range (20-25%) and I've read a few studies stating its the ideal body fat percentage for fertility.

I've lost about 4-5% body fat as well and I'm currently sitting at about 32.5% body fat. For working out I just do Jillian Michaels (any one of her videos) 3 days a week and cardio for about 30 minutes, 2 days a week. I hope that helps

I have been 16% body fat, though it isn't in the normal range it is for ATHLETES, which I am. Also, we still get our period.

ETA- I just realized... PP are you maybe confusing BMI with body fat %?

Nope. My BMI is currently 21.4
At my goal weight my BMI (lowest weight 128) would be 19.5

And the websites I posted clearly state they are centered around body fat percentage ^_^. Not sure what she meant, but yes I meant BF.

alison590

I was tested today and am at 24% body fat. I hope to be at 20% which according to an online calculator is 109 pounds (I am currently 126) and I'm 5"3

savemama

Hi! I'm 24, 5' 5.5" and 175.6lbs. I don't have a goal muscle mass but my goal body fat is 21%. I picked it because its in the health (still having your period) range (20-25%) and I've read a few studies stating its the ideal body fat percentage for fertility.

I've lost about 4-5% body fat as well and I'm currently sitting at about 32.5% body fat. For working out I just do Jillian Michaels (any one of her videos) 3 days a week and cardio for about 30 minutes, 2 days a week. I hope that helps

I have been 16% body fat, though it isn't in the normal range it is for ATHLETES, which I am. Also, we still get our period.

ETA- I just realized... PP are you maybe confusing BMI with body fat %?

Nope. My BMI is currently 21.4
At my goal weight my BMI (lowest weight 128) would be 19.5

And the websites I posted clearly state they are centered around body fat percentage ^_^. Not sure what she meant, but yes I meant BF.

Lol. No, I meant the other PP.Sorry! I'm posting as I ref the kids. Distracted.

RobynLB83

Hi! I'm 24, 5' 5.5" and 175.6lbs. I don't have a goal muscle mass but my goal body fat is 21%. I picked it because its in the health (still having your period) range (20-25%) and I've read a few studies stating its the ideal body fat percentage for fertility.

I've lost about 4-5% body fat as well and I'm currently sitting at about 32.5% body fat. For working out I just do Jillian Michaels (any one of her videos) 3 days a week and cardio for about 30 minutes, 2 days a week. I hope that helps

I'd love to hear the research about ideal body fat % for fertility.

I am losing weight (in part) to get pregnant so this is particularly applicable for me!

Skinny = natural birth control? Who knew?

ElizabethKalmbach

I'm 5'5, 148 lbs. I usually look and feel my best at about 16-18% body fat. My period is sketchy anyway, and I have all the kids I intend to, so that's where I'm trying to get. I've been fairly athletic my whole life, so I remember the body I had before I got sick and then pregnant and then sick again... :P I'm headed back to where I was happiest as fast as I can get there!

Lifting_Knitter

I am 5'4 and my goal body fat % was 20. I am already past that. I would like to be 18% and then go from there to see if I want to go lower.

InsolentMint

Sorry, dumb question maybe, but how is muscle mass meassured?

nicoleashley_24

I'm almost 2/3 of the way through my weight loss goals. So far, it's been mostly healthy eating with some toning/light cardio worked in.

Even with that I've lost 4% of my body fat and increased my muscle mass 3.5% (with a 30lb weight loss).

My plan is to hit my weight goal and then add heavy lifting... and maybe a trainer as a reward for my weight loss.

I'm having a heck of a time finding out what is a healthy/average or even ideal muscle % online.

So I'm curious- for women with fitness/lifting goals...what is YOUR BF% and MUSCLE MASS GOAL?

I don't plan to compete or do anything like that- just want to be toned and strong. (So if your goals are competition, will you be sure to include that so I can gauge if your goals ought to line up with mine?) Also, if you could include age? Because I keep reading that has an effect on the "right percent for you"

I have a goal based on my measurements/stats from before I got pregnant. I take into consideration my age and the fact that I have more muscle mass now but my goal body fat percentage is 18-20%. Lean body mass would be around 118-120+ pounds. At this point, I'm heavy lifting but since I'm eating at a deficit to lose fat, I'm not gaining much mass, only about one pound since I started lifting again, which is okay. I may need to re-evaluate later.. but that's okay with me! Btw, I'm 26.

RobynLB83

Hi! I'm 24, 5' 5.5" and 175.6lbs. I don't have a goal muscle mass but my goal body fat is 21%. I picked it because its in the health (still having your period) range (20-25%) and I've read a few studies stating its the ideal body fat percentage for fertility.

I've lost about 4-5% body fat as well and I'm currently sitting at about 32.5% body fat. For working out I just do Jillian Michaels (any one of her videos) 3 days a week and cardio for about 30 minutes, 2 days a week. I hope that helps

I'd love to hear the research about ideal body fat % for fertility.

I am losing weight (in part) to get pregnant so this is particularly applicable for me!

Skinny = natural birth control? Who knew?
I agree with the consensus. 16% - 18% is pretty ideal. I still don't have the abs I want at 16%, but I have sad deflated non-boobs below that.

NovemberJune

I think I'm about 24% bf right now (measured at 24.7 in march).I think I'll probably be around 21% when I get to where I want to be composition-wise. It's really hard to guess though IMO.

mmddwechanged

I just want to look Jacked in a flexed picture, I guess u should think of something more specific.

CarolinaGrace77

I did some body building a few years ago...
I initially started wanting to be healthy and for me that meant ignoring the scale & BMI charts. I went 100% off BF% determined by 3 different sources, trainer, scale, & BF analyzer thingie.

I can say I was very, very happy at 20%. By then it was so easy for me to do what I needed to do, I went down to 14%. I was 14%, size 4 and still had not hit ANY of my "ideal" weight suggestions found online. Also, it did not interfere with my period at all.

Surgery happened and I'm starting all over again.

My goal will be 20% BF. I weigh myself, but lbs lost have nothing to do with where I want to be. I put 38lbs on my ticker, just to have something. I'll reach 20% way before those lbs are off.

Sparlingo

I don't have specific muscle mass goals, but I do want to build muscle and reduce body fat. I've been weak and over-fat ever since piling on weight after being underweight and anorexic as a teenager (fyi - not great for muscle mass).

I've already gone from about 45% body fat to about 32%, but I'd love to see 20% at some point! When I look at photos, the physiques I seem to like best are reported at around 18-20% BF. Of course, that doesn't give me information as to how much muscle they're carrying around. Also, I'm 5'0" so I'm sure those women are much taller than me as well - not sure how much effect that has on how realistic a goal that would be for me .

savemama

This is interesting. I'm glad I asked. I would have never thought 20% body fat would be so many women's ideals by the charts online!

savemama

Sorry, dumb question maybe, but how is muscle mass meassured?

Well I'm no expert but I have a scale at home that uses an electronic pulse to measure your fat/water/bone/muscle %

AABru

My lean body mass is about 135 pounds. I am 5'7" and 180. I am aiming to lose maybe 15 more pounds.

My goal is to keep my lean mass as high as possible. I am nearing 40, and I want muscle to lose. I would be perfectly happy to stay 180 and have my lean mass increase to 145...for me it's all about having the strength to do what I want when I am 80. High bone density and muscle mass now is half the battle.

Editing to add that my Body fat is just about 26 %, and my BMI is just under 29.

savemama

My lean body mass is about 135 pounds. I am 5'7" and 180. I am aiming to lose maybe 15 more pounds.

My goal is to keep my lean mass as high as possible. I am nearing 40, and I want muscle to lose. I would be perfectly happy to stay 180 and have my lean mass increase to 145...for me it's all about having the strength to do what I want when I am 80. High bone density and muscle mass now is half the battle.

Editing to add that my Body fat is just about 26 %, and my BMI is just under 29.

I'm sorry I'm new at this. Could you explain- lean mass can't be muscle only? That would be too much... I must be missing something.

savemama

Bump!

xiamjackie

I am 5'0 currently at 125 pounds and from online calculations around 25% body fat. I take that with a grain of salt because the online calculator is not as accurate as a water test or a scale test would be.

I am looking to maintain my muscle mass and lose some fat through lifting and HIIT cardio. I remember somewhere online that to get to my ideal body fat percentage, which would be 18-20%, I would need to be 105-114 pounds. I also take this with a grain of salt because the calculator does not know how many pounds of LBM I have right now, so it's inaccurate to guess how many pounds of fat I would need to lose while maintaining my LBM to get to that percentage.

Basically I am just going off of look and feel and not so much weight.

DrMAvDPhD

I'm 5'7" and 135 pounds. Currently at around 21%BF with 108 pounds of lean mass. I would eventually like to be at ~17%BF with around 115 pounds of lean mass. It will take a while to build that much muscle.

DrMAvDPhD

My lean body mass is about 135 pounds. I am 5'7" and 180. I am aiming to lose maybe 15 more pounds.

My goal is to keep my lean mass as high as possible. I am nearing 40, and I want muscle to lose. I would be perfectly happy to stay 180 and have my lean mass increase to 145...for me it's all about having the strength to do what I want when I am 80. High bone density and muscle mass now is half the battle.

Editing to add that my Body fat is just about 26 %, and my BMI is just under 29.

I'm sorry I'm new at this. Could you explain- lean mass can't be muscle only? That would be too much... I must be missing something.

It's everything but fat, so, bones organs skin etc

savemama

Thanks