What's an appropriate body fat percentage to try and lose?

jackiecamarena
jackiecamarena Posts: 290 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I just enrolled in a beginning weight training/aerobic class and they had us fill out a card with the goals we wanted to achieve by the end of the 16-week class. My goal is lose body fat.

What percentage is realistic in 16 weeks?

Replies

  • bobbystrongarm
    bobbystrongarm Posts: 72
    Max safe is considered to be 2lbs a week. This is kind of hard to maintain consistent.

    That would be 32lbs. I have no idea what your weight is, but just take 32 and divide it by that number.

    Your diet will have to be on lock down to achieve these numbers. You will need to constantly tailor it so you don't stall out.
  • itsscottwilder
    itsscottwilder Posts: 317
    16 weeks, 16 pounds

    That's just me.
  • Jasano1234
    Jasano1234 Posts: 13
    2 lbs is defined "safe and max" on MFP... But it is totally up too you how much you want to lose at your own time frame. Just take into consideration that losing over 4 pounds could possibly cause stretch marks.
  • snazzyjazzy21
    snazzyjazzy21 Posts: 1,298 Member
    2 lbs is defined "safe and max" on MFP... But it is totally up too you how much you want to lose at your own time frame. Just take into consideration that losing over 4 pounds could possibly cause stretch marks.

    Losing too fast could cause baggy skin, which is more likely than stretch marks. And I'd aim for 1lb a week. It's hard to give you a %, everyone is different.
  • bobbystrongarm
    bobbystrongarm Posts: 72
    2 lbs is defined "safe and max" on MFP... But it is totally up too you how much you want to lose at your own time frame. Just take into consideration that losing over 4 pounds could possibly cause stretch marks.

    Losing too fast could cause baggy skin, which is more likely than stretch marks. And I'd aim for 1lb a week. It's hard to give you a %, everyone is different.

    16 divided by body weight = percentage.

    Just like body weight x body fat % = pounds of fat on body.
  • NovemberJune
    NovemberJune Posts: 2,525 Member
    Do you mean what % body fat you want to aim for, what % of your current body fat you want to lose, or what % of your current body weight you want to lose?:flowerforyou:
  • MzManiak
    MzManiak Posts: 1,361 Member
    I just enrolled in a beginning weight training/aerobic class and they had us fill out a card with the goals we wanted to achieve by the end of the 16-week class. My goal is lose body fat.

    What percentage is realistic in 16 weeks?

    It really depends on what % you're starting from. Just an average guess, 1% a month... so 4-5%.
  • jackiecamarena
    jackiecamarena Posts: 290 Member
    Do you mean what % body fat you want to aim for, what % of your current body fat you want to lose, or what % of your current body weight you want to lose?:flowerforyou:

    I guess I should have been more specific.

    I weigh 178lbs right now.
    My body fat currently is about 33%.
    I want to know what percentage is achievable to get down to in 16 weeks. Ex: 29%, 31%, etc.
  • Morgaath
    Morgaath Posts: 679 Member
    So currently you have about 119lbs in lean body mass, and 59lbs in fat. Total = 178lbs
    Say you lose 16lbs over 16 weeks, with 3lbs being lean, and 13 being fat....
    Now at 116lbs LBM, and 46lbs fat. Total = 162lbs
    46/162= 28% body fat.
    Say your goal is 29% and plan on beating the mark.

    Just guessing and playing with numbers.
  • itsscottwilder
    itsscottwilder Posts: 317
    Do you mean what % body fat you want to aim for, what % of your current body fat you want to lose, or what % of your current body weight you want to lose?:flowerforyou:

    I guess I should have been more specific.

    I weigh 178lbs right now.
    My body fat currently is about 33%.
    I want to know what percentage is achievable to get down to in 16 weeks. Ex: 29%, 31%, etc.

    If it were me I would be shooting to go from 178 to 160ish.

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