"Skinny fat" and body fat %

For an adult woman (usually considered over the age of 18 years) a normal body fat range is between 20 and 29% so you would not be considered obese.

This. Your body fat percentage isn't obese in the least. It's normal and average.

If you want it lower, look into body re-composition, not just "losing more weight." Your BMI is already low. Losing another 7k isn't going to be the magic bullet. In fact, throw the scale out the window.

Calculate your TDEE ( http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/bmr/ ) and either eat that number or at least 10-15% below that. Eat nutritious foods getting at least 100g of protein a day. Get regular exercise, including strength training... the heavier the better. Track your progress through how clothes fit, measurements, and progress photos instead of the scale.

I've gained 7-8 pounds in the last year, and I'm smaller than ever. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/758160-reminder-the-scale-does-not-define-you

In addition to what the other posters have said, check out this little website:

http://paindatabase.com/bodyfat/

It shows a few pictures of what body fat % looks like.

How old are you?

Edit: Looked at your profile

At 19, you should be focusing on developing healthy habits for a good life going forward. Exercise (both cardio and resistance training), learn about portion control (that does NOT mean starving yourself and eating nothing, it means having an idea of how many calories you're taking in, and figuring out the rough amount it would take for you to maintain your current weight, gain weight slowly, or lose weight slowly). Figure that out and you'll be way ahead of the game.

19. But got my first period like 2 years ago, only just stopped growing in height, which means my body structure/bone structure (like, hips and so on) still have a way to go in broadening out to a more womenly structure, right? i.e. I'm a late developer.

Not sure whether that changes anything.

But anyway, just in my opinion, I don't think I look obese at all (I was really surprised to read that in the article, it's the first time I've been described by that word...), so yeah... Maybe I'm borderline/half-way between the teenage girls article and the women article?

Don't worry about it. When you're still growing all that crap goes out the window. Focus on eating a balanced diet and a reasonable amount of calories. Go to http://www.fitnessfrog.com/calculators/tdee-calculator.html and figure out your TDEE. Try to eat at least that much, you're growing so your energy requirement will be higher, and not getting enough food in can be problematic. Try to eat lots of whole, natural foods to increase the nutrient density of your intake. Eat lots of protein and make sure you get enough fats. Eat your veggies. Even after getting bunches and bunches of that stuff in, you should still have space for the occassional treat from time to time.

Do all of that and exercise, and you'll be fine.

I don't think there is an ideal BF%. It would vary based on body type and goals. Hourglass or pear shaped women are usually going to have a higher ideal BF% than others.

Ideal for you would be when you are within the healthy body fat range, like the way you look and feel, and have no medical need to change.

Oh, thank you so much!! That's so reassuring! Glad to know I'm not "considered obese", haha, yay! Definitely just going to work on the healthy balanced diet and regular mild to moderate exercise from now on!

That sounds like a fabulous plan! :bigsmile:

Keep it up at your age, and you won't be looking at 67% body fat when you're my age. :laugh: