body fat percentage for women -- your thoughts?

Susan_Rae_1
Susan_Rae_1 Posts: 154 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I'd like to hear some thoughts on this. I have started to measure my body fat percentage and my instinct that I am carrying too much in spite of the fact that my BMI is fine is (I think) spot on.

What do you think is the "ideal"?
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Replies

  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    I'd like to hear some thoughts on this. I have started to measure my body fat percentage and my instinct that I am carrying too much in spite of the fact that my BMI is fine is (I think) spot on.

    What do you think is the "ideal"?

    You may be describing the oft thrown around term skinny fat
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    Depends on individual goals. That said pretty much any fitness goal should put you in the 15-25% range (lower if body building competition).
  • lizsmith1976
    lizsmith1976 Posts: 497 Member
    To me ideal is 18%, because that is when I see the definition in the 6-pack area (on my body, everyone is different). I'm up to about 20-21% now, and can see my obliques well-defined, but not any of the center muscles. But I like muscles not curves, so that is how I want to look. Everyone is different :)
  • chivalryder
    chivalryder Posts: 4,391 Member
    http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/body_weight/body_fat/percentage.htm

    For women under 30, you want it lower than 32%.

    I've also found from other resources that the lower a woman should go before eliminating "essential fats" is around 12%.
  • Zombriana
    Zombriana Posts: 764 Member
    I'd like mine to be around 19%

    My BMI is 25, which makes me "over weight" but my bf% is 22-23% which is "average-fitness" level.
  • Promqueen_74932
    Promqueen_74932 Posts: 203 Member
    Depends on individual goals. That said pretty much any fitness goal should put you in the 15-25% range (lower if body building competition).

    Agree.
  • Wabbit05
    Wabbit05 Posts: 434 Member
    My goal is 18%
  • HeidiMightyRawr
    HeidiMightyRawr Posts: 3,343 Member
    The ideal for the average woman, to be healthy: Isn't that around 18-29% (not sure exactly)

    My ideal would be around 16-18%. Currently around 20%.
  • lauren3382
    lauren3382 Posts: 372 Member
    My BMI is 19.5 and my body fat is 18%, yet I don't have a visible 6 pack. For me, gaining muscle and losing body fat is where I want to be. I want my BMI to go up and my body fat to go down...not an easy task.
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    I'd like to hear some thoughts on this. I have started to measure my body fat percentage and my instinct that I am carrying too much in spite of the fact that my BMI is fine is (I think) spot on.

    What do you think is the "ideal"?

    Can't tell much from your pictures. Why do you think you are carrying too much? As other's have said, it really depends on your goals.

    PS: I am originally from Springfield although I haven't lived there in more than 30 years.
  • Susan_Rae_1
    Susan_Rae_1 Posts: 154 Member
    this is all great information. Thank you very much. Confirmed -- I definitely have too much body fat in spite of my "healthy" BMI. So at age 48, I'm guessing getting to get my body fat to around 20% would do the trick. Time to hit the gym for real.
  • ahmommy
    ahmommy Posts: 316 Member
    You just described me. My weight is healthy and my BMI is 20.8, but my body fat % is somewhere around 25% based on online calculators and measurements. I'm not sure exactly what my goal is since I'm going more by appearance, but I think around 20% is where I'd like to be.
  • m_shuman
    m_shuman Posts: 179
    I am in the process of becoming an IFTA certified group exercise instructor and our text book says that the healthy level for essential body fat in women is 8% to 12% for women and 3% to 5% for men. > 38% for women and > 25% for men is considered obese.

    This info is taken from Fitness Professionals Handbook Fith Edition
  • Susan_Rae_1
    Susan_Rae_1 Posts: 154 Member
    [I do know now that I'm carrying too much because there's some jiggle going on. I look fine in clothes, but want to look great in a bathing suit / naked.
  • lauren3382
    lauren3382 Posts: 372 Member
    this is all great information. Thank you very much. Confirmed -- I definitely have too much body fat in spite of my "healthy" BMI. So at age 48, I'm guessing getting to get my body fat to around 20% would do the trick. Time to hit the gym for real.

    You are 48?!?!?! You look WAY younger than that...I would have guessed 35 :smile:
  • abbylg1983
    abbylg1983 Posts: 177 Member
    I say I have a goal of 17%, but that's really just an estimate of where I think I would be when I liked what I saw in the mirror. If I can get rid of all the visible fat and jiggle and still be at 20%, that's fine with me. If I get down to 17% and still have a paunch, then I will want to go lower. Comparing myself to other women with known body fat percentages, I think I am around 21-22%.
  • Susan_Rae_1
    Susan_Rae_1 Posts: 154 Member
    I am in the process of becoming an IFTA certified group exercise instructor and our text book says that the healthy level for essential body fat in women is 8% to 12% for women and 3% to 5% for men. > 38% for women and > 25% for men is considered obese.

    This info is taken from Fitness Professionals Handbook Fith Edition

    Congrats on your achievement and thanks for that information. 48 year old woman... any difference?
  • LeenaRuns
    LeenaRuns Posts: 1,309 Member
    I'm at 17% right now. Don't know my goal percent, but it's whatever gives me a six-pack!
  • Susan_Rae_1
    Susan_Rae_1 Posts: 154 Member
    this is all great information. Thank you very much. Confirmed -- I definitely have too much body fat in spite of my "healthy" BMI. So at age 48, I'm guessing getting to get my body fat to around 20% would do the trick. Time to hit the gym for real.

    You are 48?!?!?! You look WAY younger than that...I would have guessed 35 :smile:

    Lauren, you are beautiful, look amazing and just made this 48 year old Mom of two teens (one off to college in 2 weeks) VERY happy. :) Thank you.
  • bgtorres
    bgtorres Posts: 186 Member
    MY goal right now is to be at 17%, I need to lose more bf and gain more muscle. I think bf is better than the #'s on the scale")
  • m_shuman
    m_shuman Posts: 179
    I am in the process of becoming an IFTA certified group exercise instructor and our text book says that the healthy level for essential body fat in women is 8% to 12% for women and 3% to 5% for men. > 38% for women and > 25% for men is considered obese.

    This info is taken from Fitness Professionals Handbook Fith Edition

    Congrats on your achievement and thanks for that information. 48 year old woman... any difference?

    Thanks. There is nothing in the book about age being a factor but my guess would be the older you are the closer to the 12% you could be.
  • gogojodee
    gogojodee Posts: 1,243 Member
    I am in the process of becoming an IFTA certified group exercise instructor and our text book says that the healthy level for essential body fat in women is 8% to 12% for women and 3% to 5% for men. > 38% for women and > 25% for men is considered obese.

    This info is taken from Fitness Professionals Handbook Fith Edition

    UGH, I hate being skinny fat. I always have a high BF % and I'm 150 but my percentage is wayyy high! It's over 30. :[ Any tips?
  • gogojodee
    gogojodee Posts: 1,243 Member
    this is all great information. Thank you very much. Confirmed -- I definitely have too much body fat in spite of my "healthy" BMI. So at age 48, I'm guessing getting to get my body fat to around 20% would do the trick. Time to hit the gym for real.

    You are 48?!?!?! You look WAY younger than that...I would have guessed 35 :smile:

    LOL, that's what I thought! Seriously. :smile:
  • MarieAnneN
    MarieAnneN Posts: 205
    To me ideal is 18%, because that is when I see the definition in the 6-pack area (on my body, everyone is different). I'm up to about 20-21% now, and can see my obliques well-defined, but not any of the center muscles. But I like muscles not curves, so that is how I want to look. Everyone is different :)

    Same here... currently at 22.5%.
    Obliques are really there, tighs muscles well defined but I would like to drop a 3 to 4% additionnal to see the definition better and be a bit lower on weight. Not more as I would get skinny and I don't like that either.
  • i_miss_donuts
    i_miss_donuts Posts: 180 Member
    Essential body fat for women is variously listed as 10-12% (while men's is much lower at around 3%). This minimal level of fat is necessary to maintain reproductive function. From there, it really varies according to age and what is "ideal" from your personal aesthetic. As you get older the range for lean, healthy, overweight and obese increases slightly. For me, I am 41 and around 19-20% when last measured. My goal is 18% because this is generally the range at which I have really good muscle definition. For some people, this would be too low and some women as they age find out low body fat for muscle definition comes at the cost of having their faces look gaunt - so really it is about what is healthy and maintainable, what your priorities are and if you must choose between your face and fanny.

    It is not a great site, but this will show you a sample chart that seems pretty consistent with other sources on ideal body fat ranges for women. http://www.askthetrainer.com/body-fat-percentage-in-women/

    If you like visuals you can see images of women at various BF% here:
    http://www.leighpeele.com/body-fat-pictures-and-percentages
  • MarieAnneN
    MarieAnneN Posts: 205
    I am in the process of becoming an IFTA certified group exercise instructor and our text book says that the healthy level for essential body fat in women is 8% to 12% for women and 3% to 5% for men. > 38% for women and > 25% for men is considered obese.

    This info is taken from Fitness Professionals Handbook Fith Edition

    UGH, I hate being skinny fat. I always have a high BF % and I'm 150 but my percentage is wayyy high! It's over 30. :[ Any tips?

    Eat really clean and lean and with regular exercise, it should do the trick!
  • TXHunny84
    TXHunny84 Posts: 503 Member
    I'm currently 143 at about 25% body fat but would prefer to be 20% or less.... It's SO HARD! At least for me to lose weight... Any tips from the ladies who've shed lots of body fat I'd greatly appreciate it.
  • m_shuman
    m_shuman Posts: 179
    Here is a link to a good article on this topic. Remember essential fat is what your body needs to function so if you are above this number you are OK if you fall in thee ranges you'r body is mostly lean muscle. You just do not want to be in the obese range.

    http://www.builtlean.com/2010/08/03/ideal-body-fat-percentage-chart/
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    this is all great information. Thank you very much. Confirmed -- I definitely have too much body fat in spite of my "healthy" BMI. So at age 48, I'm guessing getting to get my body fat to around 20% would do the trick. Time to hit the gym for real.

    You are 48?!?!?! You look WAY younger than that...I would have guessed 35 :smile:

    LOL, that's what I thought! Seriously. :smile:

    eat at a slight deficit (0.5 to 1.0 lb/week weight loss goal, and eat back exercise calories), get enough protein (more than MFP default) and lift heavy weights (heavy for you, lift in the 5-10 rep range)
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    I am in the process of becoming an IFTA certified group exercise instructor and our text book says that the healthy level for essential body fat in women is 8% to 12% for women and 3% to 5% for men. > 38% for women and > 25% for men is considered obese.

    This info is taken from Fitness Professionals Handbook Fith Edition

    UGH, I hate being skinny fat. I always have a high BF % and I'm 150 but my percentage is wayyy high! It's over 30. :[ Any tips?

    Eat really clean and lean and with regular exercise, it should do the trick!

    You don't have to eat clean, just get enough protein and eat at a deficit, while lifting.

    Too much cardio with not enough fuel can lead to the loss of muscle.

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