Body Fat % Goal vs. Scale Goal

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cassiegal724
cassiegal724 Posts: 63 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
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.
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Replies

  • Gramps251
    Gramps251 Posts: 738 Member
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    Me too. I don't care what my weight is as long as my body fat % is healthy.
  • astrampe
    astrampe Posts: 2,169 Member
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    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
    cedarghost Posts: 621 Member
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    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
    maricash Posts: 280 Member
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    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
    jesz124 Posts: 1,004 Member
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    Yeah me too, I think bf % is far more important than overall weight. Much better way to go IMO.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
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    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
    nexangelus Posts: 2,080 Member
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    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
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
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    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
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
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    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
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
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    Right now, I would be happy with anything under 40%
  • jimmmer
    jimmmer Posts: 3,515 Member
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    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
    lreyenga Posts: 37
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    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
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
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    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
    psuLemon Posts: 38,400 MFP Moderator
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    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
    jesz124 Posts: 1,004 Member
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    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
    Weebs628 Posts: 574 Member
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    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
    cordianet Posts: 534 Member
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    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
    stacy_1971 Posts: 104 Member
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    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
    jesz124 Posts: 1,004 Member
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    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
    NJL13500 Posts: 433 Member
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    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!

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