Body Fat confusion

starrynight1929

Hi everyone!

I decided today to take some measurements to see what my body fat percentage is. I am 5'6" tall, about 128 to 130 pounds... my neck is 13", wrist 6", forearm 10", waist 28 ", and hips 38.5."

In this link, I look like the 20-21% female, but with a little more fat on my stomach:
http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2012/07/02/body-fat-percentage/

However, when I put my stats into online calculators, they say I am 26% body fat. My scale says that too. It just doesn't seem right. I lift weights and my arms are toned. I do have some saddle bag fat, but not THAT much. Does anyone know why my percentage is so high, even though I don't look that bad?

I usually think I weigh more than I do, so I don't think this is a perception issue. I tend to see myself as larger than I actually am, not smaller.

DavPul

1. you're using an INCREDIBLY inaccurate method to determine your bodyfat.
2. if you say, "i look like the one with X% BF, except with more fat on my ____" then you're not talking about the same thing anymore
3. where people carry their fat is determined by genetics, so person A might like completely different, in a better or worse way (subjectively) than person B, with the same BF%
4. who gives a damn what your actual number is? you seem to be saying that you like the way you look, so what does it matter if you're 14% or 50%? bragging rights?
5. post a picture of yourself if you want us to crowdsource your BF%

cafeaulait7

I have nearly identical stats to you, lol! I don't know my bodyfat percentage. But girls with our measurements and weight can be fattish if they have small bones, narrow frames, and long torsos with those stats. I have a stockier skeleton and know that 28" is about all I get with my big ribcage and not much room between it and my hipbones.

In other words, our hips and waist could be signs of being a bit fat, because they aren't all that small. It depends on how petite you are and how many of the inches are made of muscle, etc. You'd know if your hips and waist were mainly fluff, though, I'd think If it helps any, I look more like the 20-21% than the next girl up, but I'd guess I were in between the two. It's hard to say, because I'm also more muscular than the 20% girl.

Azdak

Body fat is measured on a whole-body basis. Certain body types can be thinner in one area, over-proportioned in another, and have a total number somewhere in the middle.