Body Fat %, Women and Age

LadyIntrepid
LadyIntrepid Posts: 399 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I kept hearing that between 20-24% body fat is the healthy range for women. But that just didn't seem right for all women at every age. This was a helpful article (and made me feel a whole heck of a lot better about my BF and how hard it's been to drop it at almost 50!):

http://www.livestrong.com/article/134363-the-normal-percentage-body-fat-women/

Replies

  • Jerry1001
    Jerry1001 Posts: 43 Member
    You should feel good and not just about BF%. You look great!
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    You look awesome. Period. Not "for your age". Just awesome.
  • blonde71
    blonde71 Posts: 955 Member
    So...if you're below 20% then you're not healthy according to the article?? News to me then as my doctor gave me a clean bill of health, lol.
  • beaner1st
    beaner1st Posts: 229 Member
    At 42 my body fat ranges from 21-22%. I like the idea of being considered athletic not low.
  • slrrese
    slrrese Posts: 180 Member
    In May, I got one of those devices that you pinch skin in various places to measure and check your body fat. At that time, I was 29% (roughly as I know those are not 100% accurate). I was just wanting to be moving in the right direction as I am wanting to lose fat but not muscle. I do both cardio and weight lifting, and this past weekend I had lost 10 more lbs since the last measurement, so I did the measurement again. Much to my surprise when I did, my body fat is now at 20%!! My husband wants me to stay where I am and now after reading this article I think I will try to stay where I am, body fat wise. I still want to get stronger though, and I am wondering if that would reduce my body fat % more or how I keep it the same but increase my strength.
  • LadyIntrepid
    LadyIntrepid Posts: 399 Member
    You should feel good and not just about BF%. You look great!

    Thanks Jerry!
  • LadyIntrepid
    LadyIntrepid Posts: 399 Member
    You look awesome. Period. Not "for your age". Just awesome.

    Thanks Rae!
  • LadyIntrepid
    LadyIntrepid Posts: 399 Member
    So...if you're below 20% then you're not healthy according to the article?? News to me then as my doctor gave me a clean bill of health, lol.

    I read "low" as athletic. I think as long as there aren't any ED issues involved, that's super-healthy and fantastic! :smile:
  • LadyIntrepid
    LadyIntrepid Posts: 399 Member
    In May, I got one of those devices that you pinch skin in various places to measure and check your body fat. At that time, I was 29% (roughly as I know those are not 100% accurate). I was just wanting to be moving in the right direction as I am wanting to lose fat but not muscle. I do both cardio and weight lifting, and this past weekend I had lost 10 more lbs since the last measurement, so I did the measurement again. Much to my surprise when I did, my body fat is now at 20%!! My husband wants me to stay where I am and now after reading this article I think I will try to stay where I am, body fat wise. I still want to get stronger though, and I am wondering if that would reduce my body fat % more or how I keep it the same but increase my strength.

    20% is terrific!!! Although I don't know that you can keep it the same while increasing your strength, since at the same (or less) weight, there would be more muscle and therefore less BF %. I think as long as you look and feel good in your body and clothes, at the end of the day, that's what really matters. Congrats on your success!
  • blonde71
    blonde71 Posts: 955 Member
    So...if you're below 20% then you're not healthy according to the article?? News to me then as my doctor gave me a clean bill of health, lol.

    I read "low" as athletic. I think as long as there aren't any ED issues involved, that's super-healthy and fantastic! :smile:

    Nope no ED's here, thankfully. I'm 40 and 19% body fat and never felt better. I'm not going any lower though as I don't need problems with my hormones especially being a little older. You look great.
  • LadyIntrepid
    LadyIntrepid Posts: 399 Member
    So...if you're below 20% then you're not healthy according to the article?? News to me then as my doctor gave me a clean bill of health, lol.

    I read "low" as athletic. I think as long as there aren't any ED issues involved, that's super-healthy and fantastic! :smile:

    Nope no ED's here, thankfully. I'm 40 and 19% body fat and never felt better. I'm not going any lower though as I don't need problems with my hormones especially being a little older. You look great.

    Thanks! You look great, too! Love your stats -- perfection!
  • slrrese
    slrrese Posts: 180 Member
    blonde71 and LadyIntrepid- you both look great!!
  • LadyIntrepid
    LadyIntrepid Posts: 399 Member
    blonde71 and LadyIntrepid- you both look great!!

    Thank you!!!
  • mrsmark2010
    mrsmark2010 Posts: 220
    So...if you're below 20% then you're not healthy according to the article?? News to me then as my doctor gave me a clean bill of health, lol.

    I read "low" as athletic. I think as long as there aren't any ED issues involved, that's super-healthy and fantastic! :smile:

    Nope no ED's here, thankfully. I'm 40 and 19% body fat and never felt better. I'm not going any lower though as I don't need problems with my hormones especially being a little older. You look great.

    Very similar here, 39 and 18 (between 17-19)% depending on method used. I think it just means you/we are more athletic--at least that is the way I interpreted the article. I just received a great check up from my physician.

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