Body fat check

BeccaLoves2lift

What do you think my BF% is? I tend to only see my problem areas. My scale says 23%. A seven point caliper test says 19%. My guess is I'm somewhere in-between.

RoanneRed

Hopefully that works and helps.

LiftHeavyThings27105

Scales are notoriously 'off'. Calipers, unless used by someone who really knows what he/she is doing, can be really off, as well. Good that you are doing seven points on the caliper test....

What scale are you using?

VintageFeline

Although scales are notoriously inaccurate I think in this instance it's probably about right. 19% is too low in my opinion but lower 23/24 seems about right.

leggup

What's your height and weight? You look kinda short--- I'm saying you're likely in the 21-25 range. This is entirely a guess based on known BF%s of friends/fitness models and entirely unscientific. Waist-hip ratio measurements might be more helpful a metric to track since there can be less error.

BeccaLoves2lift

leggup wrote: »

What's your height and weight? You look kinda short--- I'm saying you're likely in the 21-25 range. This is entirely a guess based on known BF%s of friends/fitness models and entirely unscientific. Waist-hip ratio measurements might be more helpful a metric to track since there can be less error.

Yes, in short. I'm 5'2" and 115 lbs. I'm trying to decide how much weight I need to lose.

mmapags

VintageFeline wrote: »

Although scales are notoriously inaccurate I think in this instance it's probably about right. 19% is too low in my opinion but lower 23/24 seems about right.

I'm in agreement. I would guess you only need to lose 5 to 8 lbs and then go into recomp mode. (i'm assuming you are doing weight training?)

leggup

MrsBeccaM5 wrote: »

leggup wrote: »

What's your height and weight? You look kinda short--- I'm saying you're likely in the 21-25 range. This is entirely a guess based on known BF%s of friends/fitness models and entirely unscientific. Waist-hip ratio measurements might be more helpful a metric to track since there can be less error.

Yes, in short. I'm 5'2" and 115 lbs. I'm trying to decide how much weight I need to lose.

So you probably know your healthy weight range is 107-136. Smack dab in the middle of a healthy BMI is 121.5 lbs, so you're already below that. You don't NEED to lose any weight, but what is your goal? Are you trying to reduce body fat? You might actually end up weighing more than 115 lbs at whatever you desired body fat percentage is.

LiftHeavyThings27105

yes, I am horrible at "guessing" body fat percentages, even with the aid of comparison pics. But, I am really good at hieght | weight. I am usually dead on....within a couple pounds on the weight and dead on with the height. Usually. But, that was not the OPs question.

A good weight training | nutritional plan and she is good to go!

VintageFeline

You could recomp from where you are, you already look pretty great. Or you could do a small cut, a few pounds will make quite a difference on you at your current height and weight.

sijomial

MrsBeccaM5 wrote: »

leggup wrote: »

What's your height and weight? You look kinda short--- I'm saying you're likely in the 21-25 range. This is entirely a guess based on known BF%s of friends/fitness models and entirely unscientific. Waist-hip ratio measurements might be more helpful a metric to track since there can be less error.

Yes, in short. I'm 5'2" and 115 lbs. I'm trying to decide how much weight I need to lose.

Need?
Depends what your goal physique is of course but IMHO between zero and not a lot. At your height a small loss of weight (or gain of muscle) will really show.

With the degree of inaccuracy in BF% estimates I'm not sure it's a great metric for you.

LiftHeavyThings27105

I wanted to suggest a re-composition as well. So, for those of you unfamiliar with what that is....you eat at maintenance calories but you still lift heavy.

Essentially, you do not gain or loose weight, but your body shape changes. You spare yourself the agony of a cut (where you are at a caloric deficit) and the pain/pleasure of a bulk (where you are at a caloric surplus).

A re-composition simply takes a bit of time. Her choice!

peaceout_aly

I have a BF% scale that told me I'm 18.3% but everyone on here told me to disregard it because they're notoriously off. I honestly can't give a good gauge, I think there's something you can do at your gym or doctor's office for an accurate reading.

LiftHeavyThings27105

@peaceout_aly - LOVE THAT....."don't give a good gauge!"

peaceout_aly

LMAO

CWShultz27105 wrote: »

@peaceout_aly - LOVE THAT....."don't give a good gauge!"

Sumiblue

I'd say your scale is closer. If you build muscle your body fat percentage will go down. I'm also 5' 2" and in my profile I'm at about 20-21%, per bodpod test. Recomp should work very well for you at your current weight.

quiksylver296

21.9575343%



(You look great, BTW.)

Sumiblue

You do look great, @MrsBeccaM5 !

steveko89

I agree with others speculating that your scale is closer than the calipers. I tried comparing my scale, calipers, and skuplt scanner at one point and the calipers always seems to come out lower than the other two methods by that same ~4 point margin (i.e. scale said 16.5%, Skulpt said 14.5%, calipers said 12.5%, visually definitely closer to that 15% mark).

Depending on your goals I also agree with recomping or going on a mild cut, which is what I've been doing since late July with relative success. Since 7/24 I'm averaging 9.8% calories under TDEE, have lost 8 lbs, scale BF has gone from 16.6% to 12.2%. I know scale BF% isn't exact but regardless of what the real numbers are, it's an apple-to-apples change in the right direction.

BeccaLoves2lift

Sumiblue wrote: »

You do look great, @MrsBeccaM5 !

Thank you : )