body fat %

Ohmydaze

I just tried a body fat and lean body mass calculator.

With a 25in waist, 118lb, and 37in hips, I'm certainly not "fat" but my body fat % was 25. I mean, I know I'm not a stick insect, but that surprised me.


Even when I messed around with it, a 23 inch waist and 34inch hips only brought me down to 24.5%!

I do have tiny wrists, barely over 5 inches. Is this affecting it?

If cutting my waist and hips by two inches won't reduce it significantly, how can I lower my body fat percentage? And how reliable are these calculators?

Thanks

JeffseekingV

That's actually pretty good for a female. Dont' compare male/femail body fat % directly.

Rae6503

Those online things aren't great. They tell me 26% but then I had calipers done that told me 19%. I think it's more like 22%.

Ohmydaze

So I shouldn't be too worried about it?

JeffseekingV

A better question is how is your blood pressure? Colesteral level? etc.. etc..?

mes1119

Online calculators are SO wrong...

just saying. How in the world can you determine someone's body composition by simply waist size, think about it.

FitForLife81

Hmm I had mine actually tested I should do an online calculator and compare!

katemme

There are lots of online body fat calculators. I just took my measurements and used a few different sites that came up in the search, and I got anywhere from 13-14% pretty consistently. Some use different formulas.

Its the best way unless you want to go and get tested by a dr.

And mes1119, they ask for your neck, wrist, waist, and hip measurements, height and weight, age and sex, and use a formula to determine, not just one measurement.

sufikitkat

what calculator did you use? TBH, the only accurate one I have found online is on Fat2Fit.com, the Military Body Fat Equation. It uses more than just waist, hips, weight measurements. But calipers (the pinchers) are the most accurate way other than getting doused in water.

Ohmydaze

Haha, I actually had my blood pressure taken at casualty yesterday , but I don't remember what it was :laugh:

Mercenary1914

Use Calipars

TNTwedell

I had my BF done at the gym - with the trainer using those Tong things - she mentioned that she has girls with eating disorders come in and have like 30% Body Fat --- more to do with the fact that they have no muscle, rather then them actually BEING fat.
i guess it makes sense ? just a thought - how much strength training do you do?
regardless, it sounds like your % is in the healthy range?

Ohmydaze

I had my BF done at the gym - with the trainer using those Tong things - she mentioned that she has girls with eating disorders come in and have like 30% Body Fat --- more to do with the fact that they have no muscle, rather then them actually BEING fat.
i guess it makes sense ? just a thought - how much strength training do you do?
regardless, it sounds like your % is in the healthy range?

Strength training? Yeah, not much.

I'm more into running, dance ect. I'd like to do strength training, to tone up ect, but I don't have.access to a gym or weights.

Neahpata

what calculator did you use? TBH, the only accurate one I have found online is on Fat2Fit.com, the Military Body Fat Equation. It uses more than just waist, hips, weight measurements. But calipers (the pinchers) are the most accurate way other than getting doused in water.

I think this is supposed to be fat2fitradio.com for those going to check.

MooMooooo

Hi, I think it sounds wrong.

I have nearly the same stats as you - 155cms tall - 27inch waist - teeny tiny wrists - 119pounds.

My body fat is 20% - we have a scale that measures BF with electric current.

I used to work out with weights 3x a week and ice skate between 4-10 hours per week (although I have had 6 months off both now)

HMVOL7409

Online calculators have been found to be grossly inaccurate. It doesn't matter how many measurements they ask it can't attest for lean body mass. You can have 2 people at the same weight but say one girl is very muscular; her measurements might be larger but her BF is going to a heck of alot lower than a girl who doesn't lift a thing. You can be relatively skinny and still have a high BF. if you want it to change; lift weights. And I don't mean soup cans. But in all reality you're at a healthy range.

Ohmydaze

what calculator did you use? TBH, the only accurate one I have found online is on Fat2Fit.com, the Military Body Fat Equation. It uses more than just waist, hips, weight measurements. But calipers (the pinchers) are the most accurate way other than getting doused in water.

I think this is supposed to be fat2fitradio.com for those going to check.

This one told me 23 as I am thanks.

sufikitkat

sorry it should be fat2fitradio.com Direct link is:http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/mbf/ Totally MFP cruising during class so I rushed it lol.

tmte1207

I had my BF done at the gym - with the trainer using those Tong things - she mentioned that she has girls with eating disorders come in and have like 30% Body Fat --- more to do with the fact that they have no muscle, rather then them actually BEING fat.
i guess it makes sense ? just a thought - how much strength training do you do?
regardless, it sounds like your % is in the healthy range?

Strength training? Yeah, not much.

I'm more into running, dance ect. I'd like to do strength training, to tone up ect, but I don't have.access to a gym or weights.

Even if you don't have access to a gym or weights, there are things that can be done using your own body weight as you strength train. Start by doing squats, pushups, and holding a plank for up to a minute and past that with a goal of 5 minutes. As an example to give you an idea about body fat: my lean body mass as per caliper measurements/tape measure measurements is at 127lbs NOT including body fat because I strength train regularly. My body fat percentage is 24% currently and I'm not "bulky" like a body builder, not at all, but I do lift some serious weight. If and when you DO get around to lifting weight, don't be afraid of it because it will not make you bulky. It will make you lean. Good luck!

glennstoudt

Chart says age 20-39 body fat percent for women "normal" is 21% to 33%. So you would appear to be on the low side of normal. Probably not a bad place to be. If you are interested in losing inches and increasing your lean body mass, you are likely going to need a strength training regimen. Think about it, no rush, you are already in a good place. Good luck.

sufikitkat

I had my BF done at the gym - with the trainer using those Tong things - she mentioned that she has girls with eating disorders come in and have like 30% Body Fat --- more to do with the fact that they have no muscle, rather then them actually BEING fat.
i guess it makes sense ? just a thought - how much strength training do you do?
regardless, it sounds like your % is in the healthy range?

Strength training? Yeah, not much.

I'm more into running, dance ect. I'd like to do strength training, to tone up ect, but I don't have.access to a gym or weights.

Google at home strength training workouts. Or workout videos like Insanity which uses body weight exercises like burpees, push ups, etc to build strength. Also, on youtube, my gym has videos of at home workouts that have zero weights or machines involved. Here is a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_2CninWeEE&list=UU-CRgnIZ00UBMvbTBhVXSNw&index=9&feature=plcp Good luck!

jenniejengin

A better question is how is your blood pressure? Colesteral level? etc.. etc..?

Ohmydaze

Thank you everyone, this has been really helpful. I'll definitely look into strength training