Am I seriously obese? 41% Body Fat
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So, you recognized almost immediately the guy was full of $#*&, he wasted your time, he was only trying to sell you a bunch of worthless vitamins, he even admitted some of the tests were crap, etc., etc., but you fixated on the body fat %, as if he somehow managed to get that part right?
--P
Probably because it was the machine that gave the number, so he didn't just pull it out of the air. Whether it was even remotely accurate is a different story, but the fact that it came from a source other than him gives it different weight than anything he spews.1 -
You look fantastic! I would never ever ever put you in the obese category. Even overweight would be an insult. You are proportioned very well.0
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Here is me, about 7-8 pounds heavier than I am now:
Maybe my legs or boobs upped the percentage.
What am I supposed to use then? Pay extra, on top of my gym membership, for someone ELSE to calculate it? What is a caliper? I'm just so overwhelmed right now. Really considering complaining to that stupid gym. I've enjoyed their classes so far. But I was so mad at that trainer. Maybe I just can't handle the truth.
No way are you in the obese range!!! You look great. Forget the numbers and focus on how you feel, how your clothes fit, and the occasional glance at the scale. If you enjoy the classes--stick with the gym. If not--ditch it (but look at your contract). Stick your fingers in your ears and hum when approached by the trainer...0 -
162 lbs at 5'4" is not considered obese. It is overweight.
http://www.dietpower.com/help/diet/obese__how_to_tell_if_you_re.htm0 -
How about getting a another test done with a different instrument (perhaps calipers) and a different trainer . . . there is a way you can quickly get a nutrition/exercise routine to lower your body fat.0
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There is no way you are 41%. When I started MFP I weighed 229.8 and was 40.5%. and I'm 5'3". MFP has a great tool under the TOOLS tab, called the BMI, it will calculate your body fat for you anytime. according to your weight and height you are 27.8%/0
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So, you recognized almost immediately the guy was full of $#*&, he wasted your time, he was only trying to sell you a bunch of worthless vitamins, he even admitted some of the tests were crap, etc., etc., but you fixated on the body fat %, as if he somehow managed to get that part right?
--P
I was mostly just ranting about the trainer to point out that he didn't explain the numbers or the machine, which is why I was asking MFP about it. He didn't come up with the numbers, the machine did.0 -
I have a scale at home that's supposed to measure body fat, I don't completely trust it, however it tells me I'm around 41%. The online calculators that I've found that go by some measurements also say around that percentage. We have about the same chest size, but I weigh about 20lbs more and there's no way in hell I could pull off that bikini like you do! So with my experience I would say that you certainly don't look like 41% body fat! I think you look awesome!0
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You should consider going to get a real body fat test. The best kind is the hydrostatic test where you go in the tank of water for the measurement. The machine he had you on was probably not very reliable. Given your height and weight it sounds unreasonable that your body fat could be that high. I am no expert though but it would be worth doing the best type of test to find out. Don't let this get you down! I am 5'6" and 214 and my body fat is 43.5. Everybody is different! When you do the hydrostatic test the results tell you exactly how many calories you need to eat (resting metabolic rate) in order to lose a pound a week. You'll find out how many calories you actually burn doing given exercises for 30 minutes and you will understand how much protein you need to eat in order to lose fat but not muscle. Highly recommend it. You can check out www.bodyfattest.com and click on your city (or closest to you) to find someplace to do the test. Depending on where you are (I am in Atlanta) other companies may offer it as well.1
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I've had my BF% done several times in the last few weeks. On the Fat2Fit.com website, their three calculators gave me 42%, 27% and 28%. The scale gave me 41%. And the calipers gave me 39%.
I really couldn't care less what number comes up for body fat, because I know that I'm working to get rid of that. What I really want to know is my lean body mass. At 5'2", I'm constantly told that I should weigh 120-130, but I know that my lean body mass is far too high for that. The only way to accurately decide your "right" weight is by knowing that number. Unfortunately, the only semi-accurate scale - the hydrotank - is outside my budget.
In the meantime, I'm just keeping track of my measurements and my jiggle. So long as both are shrinking, I'm happy.0 -
Oh.... I went through EXACTLY the same thing....
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/642892-so-upset-discouraged0 -
I get a body composition scan at my medical clinic periodically that gives me my body fat percent. It is relatively inexpensive and very accurate.It comes with detailed reports too. Check it out with your doctor or a local clinic to see if the service is offered. My insurance does not cover it, but it is worth every cent.1
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Invisible Bug Exterminator did a free analysis and said I was infested with invisible bugs.
Imaginary Friend Finder told me my imaginary friend left, and said I should hire them to find a new one.
I had a Chakra fixer read my Chakra, and it was broken.
Don't get a body fat test. Do you weigh less? Are you Active/Exercising? Are your clothes fitting looser? Boom. You're fine.2 -
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I had a membership at LIfeTime. I loved that gym, but it is quite pricey. What she is talking about is the free diagnostic test that they give you when you sign up. They give you three free sessions with the personal trainer, hoping that you will buy the personal training package.
I would ignore it. They want to sell you stuff, because at the end of the day they are a business. They tried to get me to buy those supplements too.
You may not be 41% fat, but you can use that to check your progress. If you get back on that machine and it tells you 35% then maybe, just maybe with all these being the same you have lost a good percentage of body fat.0 -
What you think of you matters most of all. You could weigh the same but be 93% or 2% fat if the tools are inaccurate and it won't change a thing. You are what you are at this point in time but a measure won't make it different. I know this to be true as in some dress shops I'm a size 8 and in others a 14 is too small- so what? Should I be desponded or overjoyed depending on the shop I'm in.........
If accuracy is very important to you then a better measuring tool is needed, if not and this is a stage post, then write it off to experience- let it go and not trap you or distract you. I think you are looking amazing as you travel your journey, getting better and better. Trust yourself and continue to move to your goal.
Jasmin0 -
I did the hydro static test (where they dunk you and weigh.) It told me at 230 lbs that I was only 40.5 % fat. All other devices show me at about 55-60. so I would take the scale thing with a grain of salt.
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They inform the trainer on your level of fitness/knowledge of the equipment, the skills you possess, and also measurements of your current body conditions. You can do it, don't get down on yourself0
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Try this:
http://www.scientificpsychic.com/fitness/diet.html
It appears to be fairly accurate - used several that give me close to the same answers.
I'm 5'4" and a year ago I weighed 162.
That worked out to:
Body Mass Index: 27.9 kg/m2
Waist-to-Height ratio: 0.45
Percent Body Fat: 30.2%
Lean Body Mass: 113.0 lb
At the end of last August I joined MFP and have logged every day. - 337 in a row.
My current weight is 130 and I feel great.
Body Mass Index: 22.4 kg/m2
Waist-to-Height ratio: 0.38
Percent Body Fat: 19.5%
Lean Body Mass: 104.6 lb
Set yourself a goal and make a plan. Weigh in and measure yourself. ( AT WHAT EVER INTERVAL FEELS RIGHT TO YOU! )
Don't obsess about body fat or listen to ANYONE who tries to sell you their method or supplements or quick fixes.
By the way, I'll celebrate my 68th birthday next week.
If I can do this, so can you.3 -
From you own test saying you have 49 pounds of fat you calculate at between 28% and 30% BMI roughly. I won't try to explain what is up with the trainer but quite simply he is either lying to sell you something or just plain wrong. Don't let that throw you. Stay on your plan and work until you feel good about you. You are doing fine. I would be more worried that your self image may make you want to go to far the other way. It is a common problem. We see ourselves at too fat even when others are saying you are where you need to be, or getting too skinny. Listen to them! Your perception is likely going to be skewed. I know mine was. 20 pounds lost so far is tremendous and I know the effort it takes. Be very proud of what you have done and just keep going. We are all routing for you!!!!0
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I have a very similar body type to you (proud of it!) and my body fat % is always a bit higher because of the "girls". Small price to pay for a body I love, IMO.0
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From your pictures, I would say no way are you at 41%BF.0
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Apparently it's possible even for thin people to have high body fat. I've read that some people seem to accumulate visceral fat, which won't make you look fat, but is said to be bad for your health.
According to my scales, I had high body fat, even when I was much slimmer. At 5' 3" and around 200 lb, I was at 57% body fat. I don't know how accurate these measurements were. However I DO have cardiovascular disease, so maybe I have high levels of visceral fat.
Were you a low birth weight baby, by any chance? There might be an association between low birth weight and visceral fat.
Clearly, you don't look as if you have 41% in your pictures. You have a lovely figure! And I don't know how accurate those machines are. I'm just wondering if it's possible that you are getting a higher reading because you have higher visceral fat, and if so, that might be a warning. I should probably have paid more attention when I got a reading that seemed high for my size years ago.1 -
^As Sidesteal said, all the tests vary. Those scales in particular can be extremely way off.
Looking at your pictures, there's no way you're 41%.
Also, not trying to be crude or anything, but keep it in mind that your breasts are made of fat; and yours aren't exactly small.
This missus, I have exactly the same issue. My breast size certainly exaggerates my results. Don't stress it and carry on doing what you have been doing. You look great0 -
I know of another free test you can take were you hold onto sensors.
oye, I did that once... won't do that again, got silver crap all over my hands, and they managed to bring out a more annoyed side of me... now, I know there are probably some good guys in that group, but dang the one trying to sell it to me pissed me off, and a usually buried part of me came out and chewed him a new one. I think he got a little scared, and that silver crap took a while to get off my hands.0 -
I had a free trainer session at a gym. She used calipers and told me I was like 35% fat. I was your height and about 15 lbs. less than you, in the 140s. I balked. Who knows. I didn't sign up. I think it's a sales pitch/method.
If you care about your BF%, pick up a $10 calipers on Amazon. I think 99% of us can just look in the mirror or use our waist measurement.0 -
There is no way you are 41%. When I started MFP I weighed 229.8 and was 40.5%. and I'm 5'3". MFP has a great tool under the TOOLS tab, called the BMI, it will calculate your body fat for you anytime. according to your weight and height you are 27.8%/
NO NO NO
BMI =/= BF%
my BMI is 32.4 Obese and my BF is 25% 'acceptable'0 -
There's no way 41% of your body is fat. That trainer is full of crap.
Scare tactic to try and get you to buy his training services I'm sure.0 -
Well, I wrote to the gym, so we'll see what they say. It was not a very friendly note.1
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