urgent topic -- body fat 12,3 % but it doesn't look like it

Lfirecracker

I never noticed it was low but I did and I'm trying to gain weight and I'm achieving that goal but then I saw I'm 12,3% body fat and it's unhealthy. So here's my questions...how am I 12% when I'm not that toned ? Cud it be wrong or something? At the gym the trainers measured my body fat and mentioned it was quite low. What can I do to increase my body fat? Cut I've been gaining weight but I'm not sure if my body fat increased at the same time or decreased

P.S. I'm a female, 5'2 108 Ibs

singingflutelady

Ok missed the female part.How did they measure it? It doesn't sound too accurate as it's basically essential fat level.

singingflutelady

So you have any photos of yourself?

Lfirecracker

I always thought it was around 19% but that was my body mass percentage and I didn't realize till last week. I always used the pharmacy scale or at the gym and they told me my body fat was low but I didn't get it at that moment. I saw 12 % is low, the minimum for women.

singingflutelady

Lfirecracker wrote: »

I always thought it was around 19% but that was my body mass percentage and I didn't realize till last week. I always used the pharmacy scale or at the gym and they told me my body fat was low but I didn't get it at that moment. I saw 12 % is low, the minimum for women.

Scales that measure body fat are very inaccurate. Is that how your trainer measure it?

singingflutelady

Tmi but do you still get your period?

ninerbuff

Likely NOT 12%. The most fit athletes in the world MAY get close to that and even female bodybuilders on PED's may get close to that, but the average person (unless they have a possible ED) likely are not.


A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Lfirecracker

Yes they measured it with digital scales.
That's the thing...I started getting trouble with my period so that's one of the reasons I want to increase my body fat...Ive always tried to increase my weight not decreasing my body fat

singingflutelady

If your bf% is really 12 it would be long gone. You would have lost it at a higher bf%. I wouldn't trust a digital scale.

Lfirecracker

What do I do if I want my body fat to be around 18%? How can I know for certain my bf% then?

singingflutelady

@ninerbuff can help you more but I believe DEXA and bod pod are the closest you can get but are $$$

VintageFeline

There would be no harm in posting a picture, lots of people are well versed in eyeballing a good estimate of BF around here. You could perhaps then decide if getting a DEXA is something you want to do.

sgt1372

singingflutelady wrote: »

@ninerbuff can help you more but I believe DEXA and bod pod are the closest you can get but are $$$

Bodpod is generally considered the least accurate method, when compared w/DXA scans and hydrostatic testing.

http://weightology.net/the-pitfalls-of-body-fat-measurement-part-3-bod-pod/

I get tested quarterly by means of DXA and hydro. DXA always gives results 4-5% higher than hydro but provides more detailed data. However, hydro results have been more consistent and reliable for me.

Do them both to assess their internal and comparative validity. The "truth" is probably somewhere in the middle. Last DXA was 13.3% and last hydo was 8.7%. So, I'm probably around 11% which is confirmed by visble abs and lots of muscular definition and vascularity.

In office cost for DXA and hydro can be high; $75-120, as I recall. However, there are mobile testing companies that only charge around $40-45 for DXA & hydo testing in my area. Check for mobile testing companies in your area.

Lfirecracker

I Dont think I'm 12% either cuz I'm not that defined I'm just slim. Thanks to everyone for the help. I'll try to post a pic maybe that way someone can tell me.

Lfirecracker

How do I post pics in here?

VintageFeline wrote: »

There would be no harm in posting a picture, lots of people are well versed in eyeballing a good estimate of BF around here. You could perhaps then decide if getting a DEXA is something you want to do.

middlehaitch

Are you on a phone or computer?
If an iPhone just click the camera on the right of the reply header and go to your camera roll, select the image, then press done. It will upload to MFP.

Sorry I don't know for other devices.

As an FYI
Just for comparison, have a look at my profile pic. I am 5'1 and about 102-3 in that with average muscle to fat ratio.
I would estimate my bf to be in the low 20's.

Cheers, h.

Just noticed you have a profile pic up.
You don't look emaciated (low bf) in that pic, definitely slender, especially your arms in that pose.
Could you put up a less posed pic?

Lfirecracker

I changed the pic but I don't have many pics. That was last year but my body fat hast changed that much since then.

middlehaitch wrote: »

Are you on a phone or computer?
If an iPhone just click the camera on the right of the reply header and go to your camera roll, select the image, then press done. It will upload to MFP.

Sorry I don't know for other devices.

As an FYI
Just for comparison, have a look at my profile pic. I am 5'1 and about 102-3 in that with average muscle to fat ratio.
I would estimate my bf to be in the low 20's.

Cheers, h.

Just noticed you have a profile pic up.
You don't look emaciated (low bf) in that pic, definitely slender, especially your arms in that pose.
Could you put up a less posed pic?

Unknown

This content has been removed.

middlehaitch

You look fine at 108lbs, (sorry can't estimate your bf, but it is over 18 in my eyes) but if you are having problems with your period you may want to go have a check up.
Adding more fat into your diet, helps with hormones, and slowly putting on a more weight may help too. ( see doc 1st).

How many calories are you eating a day, and what is your macro breakdown?

Cheers, h.

AnvilHead

alwaysbloated wrote: »

Lfirecracker wrote: »

I changed the pic but I don't have many pics. That was last year but my body fat hast changed that much since then.

middlehaitch wrote: »

Are you on a phone or computer?
If an iPhone just click the camera on the right of the reply header and go to your camera roll, select the image, then press done. It will upload to MFP.

Sorry I don't know for other devices.

As an FYI
Just for comparison, have a look at my profile pic. I am 5'1 and about 102-3 in that with average muscle to fat ratio.
I would estimate my bf to be in the low 20's.

Cheers, h.

Just noticed you have a profile pic up.
You don't look emaciated (low bf) in that pic, definitely slender, especially your arms in that pose.
Could you put up a less posed pic?

You look to have about 20% body fat

I'd consider that a fairly accurate estimate. Definitely nowhere near 12%, judging off that picture. No way no how.

Lfirecracker

Okay thanks, that's a relief

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld

You look great! Don't worry about body fat %

If your suffering with amenorrhea then speak to your Dr about it.

skymningen

From your profile picture your body composition looks actually very similar to mine and I am hanging around currently at 24% body fat measured with a scale, roughly. I don't want to say you are that high, but I really don't think you are at 12%. Maybe you were very dehydrated during the measurement?

VintageFeline

I agree, about 20% give or take. So no need to worry, just see your doctor about your periods.

Graelwyn75

I was around 12% in my profile picture, taken back in 2013, if I recall rightly. I am not at that now, but it was not a number I came by naturally. It took a lot of intense training. I probably would not to wish to be there again as it took a little too much work for my tastes. Interestingly, I did retain my periods at that level, possibly because I was eating very well at the time too. I don't think you are 12% either and most scales are notoriously inaccurate as so many things can affect their readings.

Ironandwine69

There's no way you are 12%

seekingdaintiness

If you feel healthy I wouldn't worry about it too much, sounds like the scale was just wrong.

SChaluisan

Good morning. I use a BMI calculator online... I am 5'4" and the lowest weight I can achieve and still be in a normal range is 108 at 18.5%. At 5'2" I would think you are still in a normal range as well. Its not 100% accurate; but its pretty close. Here's a link: https://www.google.com/search?safe=strict&q=BMI+calculator&cad=h

noirelb

https://www.ruled.me/visually-estimate-body-fat-percentage/

Check this website out. You are around 20% body fat and the gym person was WAY off. Also, period problems can be caused by sooo many things BUT... for me to have my period, I have to be around 30% body fat or more. It's odd how it works but I've gotten lower than that and my period stopped and loss hair and a bunch of stuff. It really depends on what your body needs. You do not look unhealthy at all but I'd see a gynecologist in case something else is causing this. Also, did your period problems start as you lost weight or did they start randomly?

Lfirecracker

noirelb wrote: »

https://www.ruled.me/visually-estimate-body-fat-percentage/

Also, did your period problems start as you lost weight or did they start randomly?

I haven't lost weight, I needed to gain weight and that's what I'm doing, but I haven't had any problems till June and I started in April, so I'm not sure. I'll go to the doctor.
Thank you

Lfirecracker

Lol I thought I was 20 too bit I was looking at the body mass percentage. There's not way I was that low when I'm not cutting or eating that healthy. Thanks everyone for the help I really appreciate it.