Body fat assessment

Mustang_Susie

I see a lot of mention about body fat % and other calculations to measure composition.
I'm wondering if this is something that would be worth my while.
I'm 5' 8" and 123#
I'm only looking to maybe lose a couple more pounds and maintain.
I want to be consistent with my work outs, maybe increasing my cardio and weights a bit for over all conditioning and toning.

Sycoholic

Body fat percentage is just usually a number to achieve. You set your goal for that number and work to achieve it. If you do the age, height, weight measurement to determine your bodyfat (as our gov't does) it's not accurate. I got measured at 32% bodyfat on my last physical due to my weight and height. I'm nowhere near that since it doesn't take into account muscle mass. Calipers, tape measurements, etc. are better ways of getting a semi-accurate reading. If you only need a few pounds off I wouldn't worry about it at all. Just set some goals for what you want. Keep a notebook with your weightlifting. You'll be able to look back and see what weight you started out at and where you currently are. Same goes for cardio. If you want to increase cardio I would suggest sprints or fartleks. Of course you want to work in some longer runs, but sprints will greatly help increase your cardion endurance in the shortest amount of time.

Mustang_Susie

Body fat percentage is just usually a number to achieve. You set your goal for that number and work to achieve it. If you do the age, height, weight measurement to determine your bodyfat (as our gov't does) it's not accurate. I got measured at 32% bodyfat on my last physical due to my weight and height. I'm nowhere near that since it doesn't take into account muscle mass. Calipers, tape measurements, etc. are better ways of getting a semi-accurate reading. If you only need a few pounds off I wouldn't worry about it at all. Just set some goals for what you want. Keep a notebook with your weightlifting. You'll be able to look back and see what weight you started out at and where you currently are. Same goes for cardio. If you want to increase cardio I would suggest sprints or fartleks. Of course you want to work in some longer runs, but sprints will greatly help increase your cardion endurance in the shortest amount of time.

I'm sorry "fartleks"??
'Splain Lucy...