Body Fat Plateau. Help!
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Why would you think that 25% bf is skinny fat?0
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Don't fixate so much on numbers. Do you like the way you look? If so, keep doing what you're doing. If not, read some of the many posts on this forum to specifically address what you believe to be your problem areas. What does it mean to you to be 25% body fat? It is a perfectly healthy level of body fat. Is it competition level? No. Does it look attractive on most women? Yes. Do I think you are 25% body fat? I could believe it. In fact, I think it could be higher than 25% based on the one photo you posted. Do I think your physique looks attractive? Of course. Make of the number what you want, but ultimately you want to like the way you look in a mirror, no?
Thank you for reply. I'm not striving for competition level body fat. I respect the discipline it takes for women to reach that level but I would personally prefer to look lean but curvy.
The general consensus I get from the Internet on most fitness sites is that 25% body fat on a woman is acceptable but not "fit"0 -
worldofalice wrote: »Good grief your body is perfect! You absolutely are not skinny fat. You are slender and toned with curves in the right places. I'd up your cals slowly if you're getting tired, and maybe lift heavy and eat at maintenance as suggested - it does wonders for body image and gradual body composition change (not that you need it!)
Thank you0 -
sarabushby wrote: »@haywood_m for what reasons do you recommend to drink 3L of water a day? I probably more or less do anyway but still, just curious to know why so much?
Hi Sara. Its actually not that much when you are awake for 16 hours per day. When you exercise and recover you need hydration so the red blood cells work to their full potential and they oxygenate the muscles. I break my water down into a minimum of 6 half litre catagories every 2 1/2 hours. 2 drinks of lemon water(one as soon as I wake up). 2 drinks of green tea. 1 special drink of green tea, tsp of cinnamon, pinch of kayenne pepper, tea spoon of cranberry and lemon juice and the last half litre in the gym. When I'm hungry.... i drink water first. When I'm tired I drink water...stressed yep, water. I have to also add at this point that there are more trips to the bathroom but it's worth it. Water also surpresses addictive cravings for caffeine so water first, coffee later. Water also keeps you alert and the brain working properly and your kidneys and liver cleansed.0 -
You look awesome. I would agree with eating at maintenance and adding heavy lifting in addition to the HIIT.0
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fernadele313 wrote: »robs_ready wrote: »fernadele313 wrote: »Thank you for replying. I've had a feeling I haven't been eating enough, especially post workout.
I don't feel I look 25% body fat around my mid section. I must carry it lower body!
You really don't need to worry about weight loss if I'm being honest.
But I am technically skinny fat, right?
No, you are not technically skinny fat. You BF% is likely not 25% either. I concur that you look great. I would suggest find your maintenance calories (that may take a while) and eat at that and do some sort of weight training program. That will keep the muscle, build a little, and get rid of fat.0 -
No one way to do it, each person is different. Just keep up the good work and your body will do all the work. Besides, you look to be in good shape anyways.0
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fernadele313 wrote: »Thank you for replying. I've had a feeling I haven't been eating enough, especially post workout.
I don't feel I look 25% body fat around my mid section. I must carry it lower body!
You mean lower body, as in lower than what is in this camera angle? You look great, you actually don't look like you need to lose any more fat. I'd consider upping your calories tho, I'm eating much more than you (1500-1900 almost every day) and still losing weight. You may be losing more muscle in your efforts than you're meaning to!0 -
fernadele313 wrote: »robs_ready wrote: »fernadele313 wrote: »Thank you for replying. I've had a feeling I haven't been eating enough, especially post workout.
I don't feel I look 25% body fat around my mid section. I must carry it lower body!
You really don't need to worry about weight loss if I'm being honest.
But I am technically skinny fat, right?
No, you're not any kind of fat, not fat fat, not skinny fat, no kind of fat. Where do you see fat?0 -
JustMissTracy wrote: »fernadele313 wrote: »Thank you for replying. I've had a feeling I haven't been eating enough, especially post workout.
I don't feel I look 25% body fat around my mid section. I must carry it lower body!
You mean lower body, as in lower than what is in this camera angle? You look great, you actually don't look like you need to lose any more fat. I'd consider upping your calories tho, I'm eating much more than you (1500-1900 almost every day) and still losing weight. You may be losing more muscle in your efforts than you're meaning to!
Thank you. I actually increased my calories today and this afternoon's workout felt sooo much easier! I think I've been burning myself out recently.0 -
rileysowner wrote: »fernadele313 wrote: »robs_ready wrote: »fernadele313 wrote: »Thank you for replying. I've had a feeling I haven't been eating enough, especially post workout.
I don't feel I look 25% body fat around my mid section. I must carry it lower body!
You really don't need to worry about weight loss if I'm being honest.
But I am technically skinny fat, right?
No, you are not technically skinny fat. You BF% is likely not 25% either. I concur that you look great. I would suggest find your maintenance calories (that may take a while) and eat at that and do some sort of weight training program. That will keep the muscle, build a little, and get rid of fat.
You are correct. Calliper test results are 22%
I'm going to bin those scales0 -
fernadele313 wrote: »rileysowner wrote: »fernadele313 wrote: »robs_ready wrote: »fernadele313 wrote: »Thank you for replying. I've had a feeling I haven't been eating enough, especially post workout.
I don't feel I look 25% body fat around my mid section. I must carry it lower body!
You really don't need to worry about weight loss if I'm being honest.
But I am technically skinny fat, right?
No, you are not technically skinny fat. You BF% is likely not 25% either. I concur that you look great. I would suggest find your maintenance calories (that may take a while) and eat at that and do some sort of weight training program. That will keep the muscle, build a little, and get rid of fat.
You are correct. Calliper test results are 22%
I'm going to bin those scales
My statement was based on comparing your picture to those ones out there that show the different body fat percentages. You looked too lean based on your picture for 25%, but not quite as lean as the 20% ones. 22% sounds more realistic.0 -
Yes, I certainly didn't feel 25% around my midsection. I personally wouldn't want to drop below 20%. Convenient for me because I doubt I have the discipline to do so!0
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Ditch the body fat scale, they are absolutely useless for someone that is athletic. The typically up the BF% for anyone less than the normal range. From my point of view, you look like you're somewhere in the 20-22% range. I recommend you work back into eating at maintenance, cut back on the cardio and get into a heavy lifting routine. You'll definitely start seeing muscle gains and as you put on more muscle, you'll lose more fat. Not sure why you would call yourself skinny fat as you already have good muscle definition. You just want to take it to the next level. A lot of women would kill for your physique.0
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Ditch the body fat scale, they are absolutely useless for someone that is athletic. The typically up the BF% for anyone less than the normal range. From my point of view, you look like you're somewhere in the 20-22% range. I recommend you work back into eating at maintenance, cut back on the cardio and get into a heavy lifting routine. You'll definitely start seeing muscle gains and as you put on more muscle, you'll lose more fat. Not sure why you would call yourself skinny fat as you already have good muscle definition. You just want to take it to the next level. A lot of women would kill for your physique.
Thank you.
I've been eating at maintenance for a couple of days now and i can already feel the benefit of doing so. I'm starting a strength training program at gym soon. It's a little intimidating... But I can't stay in my comfort zone of HIIT and kettle bell workouts at home!0 -
fernadele313 wrote: »Thank you for replying. I've had a feeling I haven't been eating enough, especially post workout.
I don't feel I look 25% body fat around my mid section. I must carry it lower body!
I have a similar Salter scale, and it's results are greatly off the mark. They show me about 54% body fat while in reality I am 25% (measured by a professional with callipers). So either get a real professional measurement, use a calucator or visually compare with a photo like the one below (I wouldn't give you more than 21-22% myself).
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I think you are missing the wood for the trees here.
If you are happy, feel strong, are capable, fit and confident and, to top it off, look great as well does it make one blind bit of difference what the actual number pans out to be? No.
Personally I think the deeper issue here is what the number represents in your mind on a subconscious level. I would suspect it relates to social acceptance.0 -
fernadele313 wrote: »I do HIIT about 3 times a week. I'm joining gym soon and hoping strength training will help build muscle. Perhaps personal trainer can help look at my diet?
I'd save the money by not getting a personal trainer since you're already at point where you can stay like you're or start building muscle. I'd start the muscle building process if were you. I'd say good luck but you're already at a fantastic point. You just need to believe it yourself.0 -
Yeah, you look to be lower than that based on the pic. I'm guessing closer to 20%. What lifting program are you currently doing and what are the weight resistance numbers?fernadele313 wrote: »Thank you for replying. I've had a feeling I haven't been eating enough, especially post workout.
I don't feel I look 25% body fat around my mid section. I must carry it lower body!
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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I think you are missing the wood for the trees here.
If you are happy, feel strong, are capable, fit and confident and, to top it off, look great as well does it make one blind bit of difference what the actual number pans out to be? No.
Personally I think the deeper issue here is what the number represents in your mind on a subconscious level. I would suspect it relates to social acceptance.fernadele313 wrote: »I do HIIT about 3 times a week. I'm joining gym soon and hoping strength training will help build muscle. Perhaps personal trainer can help look at my diet?
I'd save the money by not getting a personal trainer since you're already at point where you can stay like you're or start building muscle. I'd start the muscle building process if were you. I'd say good luck but you're already at a fantastic point. You just need to believe it yourself.
I think there is a bit of both social acceptance and a lack of believing in myself. I have a history of Body Dysmorphic Disorder, although it is mainly related to my facial features. I'm wary of this becoming a new obsession...0 -
fernadele313 wrote: »I think you are missing the wood for the trees here.
If you are happy, feel strong, are capable, fit and confident and, to top it off, look great as well does it make one blind bit of difference what the actual number pans out to be? No.
Personally I think the deeper issue here is what the number represents in your mind on a subconscious level. I would suspect it relates to social acceptance.fernadele313 wrote: »I do HIIT about 3 times a week. I'm joining gym soon and hoping strength training will help build muscle. Perhaps personal trainer can help look at my diet?
I'd save the money by not getting a personal trainer since you're already at point where you can stay like you're or start building muscle. I'd start the muscle building process if were you. I'd say good luck but you're already at a fantastic point. You just need to believe it yourself.
I think there is a bit of both social acceptance and a lack of believing in myself. I have a history of Body Dysmorphic Disorder, although it is mainly related to my facial features. I'm wary of this becoming a new obsession...
Makes sense. If you feel your BDD ramping up then re-assess the situation but you seem self aware so that's positive.
Perhaps try and move your goals from the way you look / your BF% to something more along the lines of what your body is capable of and what you are achieving - so how your lifts are progressing, how well you are mastering complex moves and so on. Your body, like mine, like any other human being is an utterly extraordinary piece of engineering and evolution. If you can find the beauty in it you can find some inner peace.
Good luck!0 -
Strength training will definitely help tone and burn more calories should help you with your goal0
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fernadele313 wrote: »I think you are missing the wood for the trees here.
If you are happy, feel strong, are capable, fit and confident and, to top it off, look great as well does it make one blind bit of difference what the actual number pans out to be? No.
Personally I think the deeper issue here is what the number represents in your mind on a subconscious level. I would suspect it relates to social acceptance.fernadele313 wrote: »I do HIIT about 3 times a week. I'm joining gym soon and hoping strength training will help build muscle. Perhaps personal trainer can help look at my diet?
I'd save the money by not getting a personal trainer since you're already at point where you can stay like you're or start building muscle. I'd start the muscle building process if were you. I'd say good luck but you're already at a fantastic point. You just need to believe it yourself.
I think there is a bit of both social acceptance and a lack of believing in myself. I have a history of Body Dysmorphic Disorder, although it is mainly related to my facial features. I'm wary of this becoming a new obsession...
Makes sense. If you feel your BDD ramping up then re-assess the situation but you seem self aware so that's positive.
Perhaps try and move your goals from the way you look / your BF% to something more along the lines of what your body is capable of and what you are achieving - so how your lifts are progressing, how well you are mastering complex moves and so on. Your body, like mine, like any other human being is an utterly extraordinary piece of engineering and evolution. If you can find the beauty in it you can find some inner peace.
Good luck!
Thank you. This is a much healthier mindset to adopt.0 -
Yeah, you look to be lower than that based on the pic. I'm guessing closer to 20%. What lifting program are you currently doing and what are the weight resistance numbers?fernadele313 wrote: »Thank you for replying. I've had a feeling I haven't been eating enough, especially post workout.
I don't feel I look 25% body fat around my mid section. I must carry it lower body!
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
I have first session with trainer this week. Do you recommend any good books or videos for beginners?0 -
fernadele313 wrote: »
I have first session with trainer this week. Do you recommend any good books or videos for beginners?
I loved stronglifts 5x5 as a women starting out. With a trainer that makes it even easier to make sure you have proper form.
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First of all under no way you have 25% fat. I'd say around 20-21%. For me your body is perfect, but its up to you to define what you want. You want to be more skinny then go ahead. But I read in one of your post that you feel tired after workout and in deficit for so long. I'd say listen to your body. When you don't, an injury may occur and you don't want that.0
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No. Just be inquisitive on why the trainer is giving you the exercises they are. I usually just put people through a basic workout so I can assess their strengths/weaknesses, then I end up designing a program based on how to achieve their goals from that assessment. A trainer SHOULDN'T have you doing anything crazy, unless you're someone who's already athletic or physically fit to attempt it. The goal is to stimulate muscles, not annihilate them.fernadele313 wrote: »
Yeah, you look to be lower than that based on the pic. I'm guessing closer to 20%. What lifting program are you currently doing and what are the weight resistance numbers?fernadele313 wrote: »Thank you for replying. I've had a feeling I haven't been eating enough, especially post workout.
I don't feel I look 25% body fat around my mid section. I must carry it lower body!
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
I have first session with trainer this week. Do you recommend any good books or videos for beginners?
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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fernadele313 wrote: »robs_ready wrote: »fernadele313 wrote: »Thank you for replying. I've had a feeling I haven't been eating enough, especially post workout.
I don't feel I look 25% body fat around my mid section. I must carry it lower body!
You really don't need to worry about weight loss if I'm being honest.
But I am technically skinny fat, right?
No, you aren't even close. You're biggest problem is body dismorphia. You don't see yourself as everyone else does. Your body is pretty amazing0 -
sunflowerhippi wrote: »fernadele313 wrote: »
I have first session with trainer this week. Do you recommend any good books or videos for beginners?
I loved stronglifts 5x5 as a women starting out. With a trainer that makes it even easier to make sure you have proper form.
No. Just be inquisitive on why the trainer is giving you the exercises they are. I usually just put people through a basic workout so I can assess their strengths/weaknesses, then I end up designing a program based on how to achieve their goals from that assessment. A trainer SHOULDN'T have you doing anything crazy, unless you're someone who's already athletic or physically fit to attempt it. The goal is to stimulate muscles, not annihilate them.fernadele313 wrote: »
Yeah, you look to be lower than that based on the pic. I'm guessing closer to 20%. What lifting program are you currently doing and what are the weight resistance numbers?fernadele313 wrote: »Thank you for replying. I've had a feeling I haven't been eating enough, especially post workout.
I don't feel I look 25% body fat around my mid section. I must carry it lower body!
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
I have first session with trainer this week. Do you recommend any good books or videos for beginners?
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
Thank you for the helpful advice0 -
NikolaosKey wrote: »First of all under no way you have 25% fat. I'd say around 20-21%. For me your body is perfect, but its up to you to define what you want. You want to be more skinny then go ahead. But I read in one of your post that you feel tired after workout and in deficit for so long. I'd say listen to your body. When you don't, an injury may occur and you don't want that.fernadele313 wrote: »robs_ready wrote: »fernadele313 wrote: »Thank you for replying. I've had a feeling I haven't been eating enough, especially post workout.
I don't feel I look 25% body fat around my mid section. I must carry it lower body!
You really don't need to worry about weight loss if I'm being honest.
But I am technically skinny fat, right?
No, you aren't even close. You're biggest problem is body dismorphia. You don't see yourself as everyone else does. Your body is pretty amazing
No I don't see my "perfect" or "amazing" at all! But thank you. I like to think my goals are realistic. I just want to accentuate the shape I already have, build the muscles in areas that will make me more curvy?0
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