Fit to Fat question

fatmom51

I was just over on Fit to Fat and used each of its calculators to determine my body fat percentage. The original one says my Body Fat % is just over 28%, the Covert Bailey one says it's 35.5% and the military one says it's over 57%.
Using the mathematical formula, my BMI is in the 40s.
I know I'm way overweight and need to lose a fair amount, but I've been told I don't look my weight. In fact, I look more fit than some people who aren't nearly as heavy as I am.
But is there any way to know for sure just what my body fat is? Does it matter, or should I just continue trying to lose weight to reach an arbitrary number based on the ranges published by various health agencies?

3LittleMonkeyMom

LOL My results on F2F were like yours! I just took the average and then used calipers. The average and the calipers were the same so that's what I stuck with.

So...other than the submersion test, calipers are the way to go for me. Good luck!

mmapags

There is no accurate way and you'll make yourself crazy trying! (Ask me how I know lol) Best thing to do is take baseline measurements and pictures and measure periodic progress against those. Also, whatever method you use for BF% use the same one and stick with it. It may not be accurate but one will be a baseline and at least show progress against that baseline. Good luck!

Alioth

^ What those guys said! Also, you can buy a $20 scale at Walmart that uses electrical impedance to measure body fat % if you want a cheap way at home to get a good baseline.

IronSmasher

It really doesn't matter.