Body fat testing and BMR

gingembre1

Just wanted to share an interesting tidbit/experience from this past weekend:

I went and had hydrostatic body fat testing done for the first time this past weekend. Basically, you submerge in water, and they are able to figure out in a wonderfully scientific way what percentage of your body is fat. I was very surprised to find out my body fat percentage was only 20% - I was expecting something in the 30% range. This was eye-opening on many levels:

1. I don't have as much weight (in pounds of fat) to lost as I had thought. In order to stay in the healthy range for women, the most should lose would be about 15 lbs. I thought I had more like 20 to 25 lbs to lose, if not more.

2. My BMR is about 300 calories higher than the one calculated on here, so I should probably up my daily caloric intake, otherwise I 'm in starvation mode.

3. I have a LOT of muscle. Or my bones are heavy. Not sure which. But if I were to lose every single last ounce of fat on my body, I'd still weigh 110 lbs (Impressive, considering I'm 5'0"). This is eye-opening for me, since I see so many women my height who weigh around 100 lbs.

Basically, this test was a great informational tool, and I'm hoping it will help me in my weight loss journey!