Body Fat % Goal vs. Scale Goal

cassiegal724

Anyone out there have a goal body fat percentage rather than a goal weight? I'm thinking that I might just aim for a body fat % in the healthy range (21-33% for women) rather than targeting a BMI < 25.

I'm currently 156.2 lb (5'4") with a BMI 26.8. A "healthy BMI" would be at 145 lb. I'm going to get my body fat % measured via Bod Pod within the next couple weeks and that will be my absolute number, but when calculating based on measurements and weight, it comes out around 27%. I think that a goal % between 21 and 25 will be good. Curious if anyone else is using this for their goal.

Gramps251

Me too. I don't care what my weight is as long as my body fat % is healthy.

astrampe

Yep, I am...Hormones are wacky and my weight can fluctuate with as much as 5 KILOGRAM over a month - with absolutely no difference in measurements or the fit of my clothing.....
I also do a lot of strengh training, so I rather track bodyfat...The scale weight would drive me nuts if I have to react to it....

cedarghost

Yep. I don't know what my goal weight should be, because I don't know what my body is going to look like when I get there. My initial goal is 15% bf. I started at 30%

maricash

I am more interested in meeting a body fat percentage goal than a weight goal, though right now, for me, they amount to the same thing. As I get closer to the healthy BMI range I will start focusing more on body fat percentage. It makes a lot more sense to me, health wise, than just trying to get to a number on the scale, which could be done by less than healthy means.

jesz124

Yeah me too, I think bf % is far more important than overall weight. Much better way to go IMO.

TavistockToad

I have been the same weight (within 3lbs) and maintaining of the last year, but I have recently started working on reducing my bodyfat. I want me some abs!!

So, yeah, bodyfat over weight!

nexangelus

You might find the BMI and bodyfat percentage correlate quite well after a while and then of course as it gets lower, if you are aiming for being really lean, then I think the two diverge again...

I too aim more for lowering my bf%...I still keep track of it all once per month...but as long as the bf% is going lower I am happy.

deksgrl

Yes, absolutely. I don't even care what the number on the scale is, nobody else knows that..... but my body fat % is what is visible for all to see.

jacksonpt

Yep. I only weight myself for the instant gratification (or humiliation)... my goals are all speed/strength/body fat related. Nothing to do with weight.

WendyTerry420

Right now, I would be happy with anything under 40%

jimmmer

BF% for me - although I don't actually measure it - just gauge whether it's gone up or down via comparing pics.... it's a quick and easy way to do it.

lreyenga

Yep. I am doing the same. My stats now are pretty similar. I am 5'4" 151lb and have body fat % around 28% as calculated on line. Since I've started, I've lost less than 10 lb (fluctuates) but am continuing to lose inches. I figure as long as I am healthy (blood pressure, sugars, etc) and strong I will not live or die by the BMI and can set a goal based on how my body looks/feels.

However, there are online calculators that tell you what your goal weight should be for a given body fat% current and goal. Since you are a scientst its pretty easy, lean body mass = current weight x current fat % goal weight = lean body mass + lean body mass*goal fat%

So for me, with a goal of 21%, my weight would be 138lb, which is within a healthy BMI. So it comes out more or less the same either way.

I track both because I like data

rybo

If the masses on this site all went by body fat % instead of an arbitrary number on a scale they'd all be better off.

psuLemon

I do. My goal is 6-8% body fat. With that said, I will be over weight according to BMI and Weight... And do you know what that means? That's right, I have more muscle than the average person. BooYah!

jesz124

If the masses on this site all went by body fat % instead of an arbitrary number on a scale they'd all be better off.

Oh my lord YES!! You try telling them this though, it's like banging your head against a brick wall! I've just about given up with it :noway:

Weebs628

I'm just now starting to track BF% and I started lifting yesterday. I'm putting the scale away for awhile. On that note, since I dance, I want/need to be physically lighter AND strong so I'm trying to lift heavy. We'll see if I can find that balance...

cordianet

I have both weight and body fat % goals. Body fat % works better for long term goals, but not so well short term. The problem is I'm tracking it with BIA and it varies a lot from day to day, so the measurement is only useful as a trend line. It's also painfully slow. I've been able to lose about 4% in 90 days, but that will taper off as I get closer to goal. My point is, how many would be willing to accept 1% in 3 months as a goal, considering that readings could vary by as much as 1% from day to day? In other words, how do you KNOW it's real?

stacy_1971

Reaching a healthy BF% is one of my goals. I'd be lying if I didn't say I like the sound of a certain weight, but as my husband always reminds me, who cares what you weigh as long as you look good.

jesz124

I have both weight and body fat % goals. Body fat % works better for long term goals, but not so well short term. The problem is I'm tracking it with BIA and it varies a lot from day to day, so the measurement is only useful as a trend line. It's also painfully slow. I've been able to lose about 4% in 90 days, but that will taper off as I get closer to goal. My point is, how many would be willing to accept 1% in 3 months as a goal, considering that readings could vary by as much as 1% from day to day? In other words, how do you KNOW it's real?

I couldn't give a monkeys *kitten* how slow it was decreasing as long as it was a steady decrease! :bigsmile: the way I eat and train now is totally sustainable long term so if my bf is reducing as a result of what im doing I'm 100% happy. My scale weight rarely moves but I know from pics I've lost fat. To me that's all that matters. Slow or fast I don't care!

NJL13500

My original goal was on the scale, but now I've switched to body fat and clothing size as my targets. I'm super close in everything, so I'll take whatever victories I can get for now since I'm having to work extra hard to see a change. My current goals are 130 pounds (2 more to lose), 19% body fat (0.4% to lose) and a size 2. I currently fluctuate between a 2/4 depending on the cut and brand.

I'd be happy to reach any of my goals, but I think ultimately I want to reach them all!

sandrahermione

Could anyone tell me what muscle percentage people are going for. I never hear anyone talk about it. My scale says 38 per cent at the moment but it does not add up at 53 per cent water, 26 per cent fat.

Wolverine13ft

Your scale won't "add up" In fact it will get more off as you put on lean muscle. Muscle holds more water then fat. Since both muscle and fat have water in them. muscle% + fat% +water% will never equal 100%

raclark17

I agree! Focusing on my Body Fat % instead of the scale has helped to keep me encouraged through P90X. I have gained a lot of muscle and so the scale isn't moving much. However, I am feeling much better!

deksgrl

Could anyone tell me what muscle percentage people are going for. I never hear anyone talk about it. My scale says 38 per cent at the moment but it does not add up at 53 per cent water, 26 per cent fat.

I'm not sure what your question is. Does this help? - http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/ibw/

iplayoutside19

I weigh 298 lbs. Right now my current goal is getting ab definition for next summer, and I think I can get there. I could care less what I weigh. Another thing to consider is your bones are also being stressed by lifting and they will get more dense in addition to your muscles retaining more water. This will also add weight.

Just remember to have patience. When I was in High School it took 3 years of consistant lifting to go from a freshman gootub, to a 3 sport letterman that looked the part, and that was with adolesent male testosterone. Stick with it and remember this stuff doesn't happen overnight...or in a month...or several months.

Ge0rgiana

Yep. I only weight myself for the instant gratification (or humiliation)... my goals are all speed/strength/body fat related. Nothing to do with weight.

^^^ This. I want to squat, dead, bench press, etc. triple digits. I do want to slim down some, but my journey to get my hormones right is turning out to be a long and arduous one. In the mean time, my journey on MFP has morphed from a quest for weight loss to a quest for health and strength.

rileamoyer

I try for both. I weigh faithfully and check bodyfat periodically. But every check for bf has been an improvement so guess I am dong ok.

LeenaRuns

You might find the BMI and bodyfat percentage correlate quite well after a while and then of course as it gets lower, if you are aiming for being really lean, then I think the two diverge again...

I too aim more for lowering my bf%...I still keep track of it all once per month...but as long as the bf% is going lower I am happy.

I tend to disagree as I've found that after I lost the initial weight (reduced BMI) and began putting on muscle (reduced bf% and gained weight) my BMI increased. My goal is simply 14-15% bf. Currently around 17%.

saxmaniac

Yes. At 18% now, would like to get down to 15%. The scale is just a correlation to my real goal.

testease

Body Fat % for sure. I have a weight class i compete in, so i still have to monitor the scale goal as well.