Not satisfied with how I look will entering the single bf digits make all the difference(pictures)?

jakx39
jakx39 Posts: 25 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi, ok so I been losing weight for a while now and I have just recently got my bf measured. The trainer used a caliber and it said i was 15% bf. I thought i would have been higher then that because I do not look like other people at 15%. I am definitely happy with my results but I just cannot really pictures myself being shredded in the next 20lbs-25lbs or so. I have pictures below. I am 183 5'6 in all of the pictures except the one were I am clearly bigger. I am 240-250 on that picture. so it took me like 60lbs to finally see a big difference i cant see myself shredded in 20lbs or so and im getting discouraged. I do see a six pack coming in with good lighting. So i guess my question is what do you guys think and did entering the single digits of body fat make all the difference for you guys? thanks



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Replies

  • questionfear
    questionfear Posts: 527 Member
    Honestly? I think you look GREAT, and if you really want to drop below 10% body fat, please see a dr first...you don't want to go too low either.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    I think you look great too!

    I've heard the caliper measurement done by trainers isn't terribly accurate. I don't have a suggestions for another way to measure, but do suggest you keep up the good work.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    Your progress is amazing

    You're not 15% BF visually though, sorry ...I think you need a dexa scan or bod pod
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    questionfear wrote: »
    Honestly? I think you look GREAT, and if you really want to drop below 10% body fat, please see a dr first...you don't want to go too low either.

    Wut?
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    From where I am sitting you are looking fine.

    Painting-Old-Woman-Peeking-Behind-Window-287369.jpg

    You may need to work on learning to love the body you are in. For instance, all the things a strong body can do.
  • Emily3907
    Emily3907 Posts: 1,461 Member
    Going on looks alone, you look great! You have made awesome progress, so don't be too hard on yourself.
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    20 lbs is going to make a huge difference on most people, and without question you'd be pretty darn lean dropping another 20. Assuming you kept up the weight training.
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    The lower you go, the bigger the difference you see with each pound. Twenty more pounds will be quite a difference, IMO. Congratulations on your success so far. Keep up the good work.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    I think that body fat measurement is off. But you look good and I really don't see where you'll lose 20 pounds from. Keep a small deficit and keep lifting.
  • jakx39
    jakx39 Posts: 25 Member
    You guys say the measurment is wrong. Does that mean im higher or lower?
  • snowflake954
    snowflake954 Posts: 8,399 Member
    I'd suggest that you look up the thread run by usmcrp on recomp. You will get some good advice and ideas, so that you'll be happy with your body. Congrats on your progress so far. Good luck with your goals.
  • tulips_and_tea
    tulips_and_tea Posts: 5,741 Member
    rybo wrote: »
    20 lbs is going to make a huge difference on most people, and without question you'd be pretty darn lean dropping another 20. Assuming you kept up the weight training.

    I agree with this. I think losing another 20 lbs. would make a huge difference as long as you keep up the weight training. Is the trainer that measured you experienced and knowledgeable? If so, what did he or she suggest you set as your next goal?
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    I do think it is off... and meaning that you higher than 15%.. If you have not already, take measurements too (flexed and non flexed)... Keep a record of your weight on the scale and log measurements about once a month and take photos about once a month.. same poses and same clothes..

    I have a accu-measure fitness 300 caliper and use this too, it was less than 20 bucks. Do I think it is 100% accurate... NO.. but each month you measure, you can use this as a baseline for using in weight or muscle trends as you continue on with leaning out more... Unless a person gets a dexa scan or something high tech, no one really knows their exact BF%..
  • jakx39
    jakx39 Posts: 25 Member
    Yea I would say hes pretty knowledgeable. He said to keep doing what I am doing which is cutting weight and lifting. I do not want to cut to low though The lowest i will go is 155. If im not satisified by then I will bulk up
  • jakx39
    jakx39 Posts: 25 Member
    oh yea and thank you guys for the compliments and adivce!
  • tulips_and_tea
    tulips_and_tea Posts: 5,741 Member
    jakx39 wrote: »
    Yea I would say hes pretty knowledgeable. He said to keep doing what I am doing which is cutting weight and lifting. I do not want to cut to low though The lowest i will go is 155. If im not satisified by then I will bulk up

    Good. Then take his advice, but as with anything, you have to experiment a bit and use some trial and error and see what works for you. Reach your next mini goal and see how you feel from there. I think you're making great progress!
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    jakx39 wrote: »
    Yea I would say hes pretty knowledgeable. He said to keep doing what I am doing which is cutting weight and lifting. I do not want to cut to low though The lowest i will go is 155. If im not satisified by then I will bulk up

    Sounds like an excellent plan

    And you do look amazing

  • SergeantSausage
    SergeantSausage Posts: 1,673 Member
    edited October 2015
    I'm not really happy with my look until about 11, 11.5%

    At 15% I still look ... doughy ... and I look like where you are (but smaller - I don't have your raw bulk) at about 18%. I would guess that your 15% figure is off a bit on the low side. You're probably actually a point or three higher than that based on how I look at those percentages.

    You will be absolutely AM AZ ED at what happens to your look down near 10/11%.

    I vote keep going.

    You'll be happy you did.
  • lisalsd1
    lisalsd1 Posts: 1,519 Member
    I would estimate a little bit higher than 15% (my husband is around 18%, so judging against that). I think you look just fine and have obviously made a lot of progress. I don't mind a little "fluff" on men, so my opinion might not be totally objective.
  • Queenmunchy
    Queenmunchy Posts: 3,380 Member
    You look great! If you'd like to lose a little more, I'm sure it would be a big change. Nice job on your success so far!
  • azulvioleta6
    azulvioleta6 Posts: 4,195 Member
    Part of the issue may just be body type--you have a rounder shape than a lot of guys. Different people carry muscle differently.

    There is nothing wrong with how you look now, but good luck in reaching your goals!
  • senecarr
    senecarr Posts: 5,377 Member
    Ar 5'6", 183, and 15% body fat, you'd have a Fat Free Mass Index of 25. 25.4 is the highest amount observed in drug free bodybuilders at the elite levels.
    You're looking good, but I'm going to guess the body fat percentage is higher.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,973 Member
    Measurement could be off because loose skin can give an inaccurate measurement. But loose skin also hides a lot of definition. You "may" be 15%, but I see quite a bit of loose skin which may be impeding your definition.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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  • tomatoey
    tomatoey Posts: 5,446 Member
    Recomp or lose if you want, but here's another voice saying you look great as you are. Awesome job :)

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