Body Fat Percentage Query

lizchic82

Hello all,

I have been lurking for the past couple of weeks, learning lots from everyone of the forum, and losing 5-6lbs so far!

Just one issue - I have been eating below what I think I need to eat, I am a runner, and I do strength training, and the last thing I want is to be losing lean muscle. Therefore, I have been re-calculating numbers to make sure I am in the right area of calories per day.

The only problem is, using one body fat calculator it is 33% and the other says 27%. The one which states 27% is the one which also takes into account wrist and forearm measurements as well as waist, hips, weight and height.

What should I use, or shall i just 'guess' at 30%?

lizchic82

Please??!

jonnythan

What kind of data are you using for these calculators? Is this caliper measurements or the ones based on weight, hip size, etc?

If the latter, ignore them as they're pretty much useless. You could get a body fat scale, which isn't too accurate but can show you trends. The best way is to get measured by a professional. I do the body fat scale daily and measure skinfold sites with some $5 calipers every couple of weeks. That's enough data to show me what's going on.

3dogsrunning

Is there a huge difference in number when you use 27 vs 30? There likely is only a small variance. Pick one and go with it. Of even average the two.
Remember all of these numbers are just estimates, even your calories eaten and TDEE. They are a starting point. Start with a number, try it for more than 2 weeks and adjust from there.

lizchic82

Thanks for the replies.

I am using the ones online, where you enter hip, waist size, height, age etc. Most of them come out at 32/33%. But the ones where you add a bit more detail, like wrist and forearm measurements came out at 27% - as it takes into account that you may just carry more weight around your mid-section - which I do.

For info I am 140lbs, 30yrs old, female and want to lose 7lbs.

So maybe I will average it at 30%, work out my TDEE and do -20% of that. :-)

3dogsrunning

With only 7lbs to lose -10% would be a better goal.

Greenrun99

Whichever one you pick, keep using that one to check your progress and not just the best number.. so even if its off, you have some idea of if your losing BF or lean muscle during your weight loss.