Body Fat

jdavis193
jdavis193 Posts: 972 Member
edited September 28 in Fitness and Exercise
So I did one of the hand held tests and it said my Body Fat was 20.8!!! I was so proud... I am trying to cut it down!!I'm only 5'2 113lbs... I haven't been able to do much cardio or anything bc I had a stress line it's an early stress fracture so I had to quit for a few weeks. I am back!!

Replies

  • risefromruin
    risefromruin Posts: 483 Member
    Tha't's a great percentage!! Good job!!
  • jdavis193
    jdavis193 Posts: 972 Member
    Thank You!! It was way higher when I was in high school early college years!!! I would like to be about 17%
  • kirkemorgan
    kirkemorgan Posts: 88 Member
    Hate to tell you, a glass of water can could throw those things off, BUT if you pic is current you aren't too far off of that. deff below 30%. FYI, most trainers I've seen can't even do the skin calipers correctly, but you can use them to monitor changes in mm difference.
  • jdavis193
    jdavis193 Posts: 972 Member
    Ya it was actually last year... I have lost more since that pic was taken... Ya it was just a rough estimate to.
  • Jamazurunner
    Jamazurunner Posts: 132
    Hate to tell you, a glass of water can could throw those things off, BUT if you pic is current you aren't too far off of that. deff below 30%. FYI, most trainers I've seen can't even do the skin calipers correctly, but you can use them to monitor changes in mm difference.

    Thank you for pointing this out. I was furious after a personal trainer calibrated my body fat incorrectly- she used the skin calipers and measured some of my muscle instead of fat.

    I think the handheld device may be a bit more accurate compared to someone poorly using the skin calipers. Either way, 20% body fat is a huge accomplishment! Congrats to you!
  • jdavis193
    jdavis193 Posts: 972 Member
    Thank You.. I drink about a gallon of water a day so I am very hydrated!!!
  • JNick77
    JNick77 Posts: 3,783 Member
    So I did one of the hand held tests and it said my Body Fat was 20.8!!! I was so proud... I am trying to cut it down!!I'm only 5'2 113lbs... I haven't been able to do much cardio or anything bc I had a stress line it's an early stress fracture so I had to quit for a few weeks. I am back!!

    Nice! Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if your BF% is actually a little lower than what the hand-held said. It's not uncommon for those to be off, especially on the high side.
  • jdavis193
    jdavis193 Posts: 972 Member
    That would be nice!!!! I can't wait to get back to my regular routine. I can't do much on my feet right now!! So mostly abs and lifting some.
  • jo_marnes
    jo_marnes Posts: 1,601 Member
    Actually, I think most of you would be surprised. I was when I looked up some pics of women with certain body fat percentages (measured using a DEXA scan - the most accurate way of calculating). I estimated I would be around 10% (I'm very slim, workout a lot and have BMI of 18.5) and I changed my mind having seen those pics. I'd be over 15% for sure. Here is a rough idea what I'm talking about... http://www.leighpeele.com/body-fat-pictures-and-percentages

    I also had my measurements done as a guinea pig during my sister's degree studies - they used 3 methods and I varied between 14% and 25%. I also used the handheld machine about 2 years ago (when I was way bigger) and it said 14% then!! There is just no accurate way to do it unfortunately. I'd LOVE to know my % for sure! xxx
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