Body Fat Percentage

spcopps

I am more worried about body fat % than weight on a scale so hence my question...I started my journey 5 weeks ago at 5 ft 5" tall 174 lbs and 39.8 % body fat. Today I weighed in at 166 even and 38.5% body fat. Is this a normal time to lose this amount of body fat? I have maintained my calerie count and work out doing Turbo Jams 6 days a week. I guess my question is how much body fat loss is acceptable in a certain amount of time. I know everyone is different but just looking for averages. Thanks!

eillamarie

How accurate was your body fat calculation?

kimmerroze

If you are using a scale I wouldn't trust it. They are WILDLY inaccurate. Find someone to measure your body fat with a calipher.

5 weeks is enough time to lose that amount of fat. Especially if you are dieting and exercising. But I still wouldn't not take that fat percentage as fact. The scales will read one percentage the first time you get on, and then you can jump on it again and the measurement will be completely different.

erickirb

I'm not sure how you are calculating this but be careful. If these numbers are correct you lost 9 lbs, but of those 9 lbs 3.3 were lean mass, leaving a fat loss of 5.7. The fat loss is good more than 1lb/week but losing that much lean mass in 5 weeks is not good. In order to make sure you retain as much muscle as possible you may want to eat more protein and change your goal to lose 1 lb/week instead of 2. This will help you to lose more of the weight from fat.

spcopps

I'm not sure how you are calculating this but be careful. If these numbers are correct you lost 9 lbs, but of those 9 lbs 3.3 were lean mass, leaving a fat loss of 5.7. The fat loss is good more than 1lb/week but losing that much lean mass in 5 weeks is not good. In order to make sure you retain as much muscle as possible you may want to eat more protein and change your goal to lose 1 lb/week instead of 2. This will help you to lose more of the weight from fat.

I am using my scale for BF and water % so I am sure it isn't accurate but I can say it doesn't fluctuate if I get off and get back on it..I checked LOL. One reason I may be losing a lot of lean is because most of my workout is cardio. I was not active at all before 5 weeks ago unless chaseing 3 year old twins is considered active! My goal is to work up enough cardio indurance to do Insanity (which I already have waiting on me) then I want to do P90X to build the muscle after I lose some of my weight. Thanks for your input I never really figured how much fat v/s lean mass I was losing! I know I sound dumb but how do you calcule lean v/s fat loss?? I actually have only lost 9lbs so I would like to refigure it and see what I get and also it will be helpful for future goals!! Thanks agian.

mlb929

My husband has a very expense very detailed body fat calculator that is certified and tested yearly. I tried it out one day for my own peace of mind. It depressed me. I stepped on it 3 times during the day, hydration seemed to be the big big factor in it. Through the day, I gained weight and lost 4% of my body fat. 4% is a bunch to me as I'm within 4% of my goal. I decided that it wasn't accurate for what I was wanting to do and so therefore invested in a pair of $20 calipers.

spcopps

I know I sound dumb but how do you calcule lean v/s fat loss?? I actually have only lost 9lbs so I would like to refigure it and see what I get and also it will be helpful for future goals!! Thanks agian.

Never mind I just found the formula for this..I have actually lost 8 lbs..5.34 being fat and 2.66 being lean muscle..thanks again.