175lbs/Sze 12 but 48% Body Fat???

mzbklynfrankie
mzbklynfrankie Posts: 3 Member
edited December 4 in Fitness and Exercise
Hello all! I just need some feedback. Has anyone heard of this? How does this happen? Is it possible to reverse?

Replies

  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    How did you measure your body fat? I have one of those scales and I'm pretty sure it's at least 10% off. But yeah, it's possibly to reverse, but it will require losing fat and weight. How tall are you?

    I find charts like this helpful:
    body-fat-percentage-men-women.jpg
  • heatherheyns
    heatherheyns Posts: 144 Member
    My readings have been close. 180, size 12, 44%. Of course, the scales can be wrong for body fat, so it could be wrong, but might be wrong by a lot.
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    edited October 2016
    It could be right, it could be wrong. I am going to say that it is likely your body fat % is higher than you think it is, even if it is not 48%. But also...try not to focus too much on the specific percentage at this point. Just use it as a marker to compare now to maybe 3 to 6 months from now and see if it decreases.

    FWIW, I had a DEXA in August and it came out at 36.3%. My profile pictures (the thinner ones) are current. Even though DEXA is often touted as the gold standard, I'm not convinced it is accurate (and after further reading after the test I am even less convinced.) Regardless, if it is even a bronze standard, keep in mind that other methods such as BIA scales can be way off too.

    Oh, and I'm 148 and wear size 8/medium in most clothes.
  • CaptainJoy
    CaptainJoy Posts: 257 Member
    mzbklynfrankie wrote: »
    Hello all! I just need some feedback. Has anyone heard of this? How does this happen? Is it possible to reverse?

    When I was 175 lbs. my body fat measured between 34 and 36% on my scale. It would register a higher amount if I was slightly dehydrated and a lower number if I was fully hydrated. I have a large build and am more muscular than average or I would have registered at a much higher number.

    The only way I see to lower the numbers is by increasing protein to preserve the muscle that you already have or exercising to build more muscle. If you're eating at a deficit, building muscle is nearly impossible. It would be best, in my opinion, to make sure you are getting your full amount of protein for the day and 100% of your calcium and vitamin D needs to keep as much lean muscle and bone density as you can if your aim is to lose weight.
  • deluxmary2000
    deluxmary2000 Posts: 981 Member
    How tall are you? I could see this possibly being the case if you were shorter (5'3" or shorter)?
  • dbanks80
    dbanks80 Posts: 3,685 Member
    Do you do any weight lifting?
  • mzbklynfrankie
    mzbklynfrankie Posts: 3 Member
    Yep, I'm 48yo, 5'3, I'm surely dehydrated today, AND I'm going by my newly purchased Withings scale. Seems like I have all odds stacked against me today. I just thought 45% is excessive. Maybe it's not so uncommon. Guess I'll just have to hit the weights. Yaaay me! :'(
  • SonyaCele
    SonyaCele Posts: 2,841 Member
    my bf scale is give or take 10% on what time of day i measure myself. Try measuring at a different time of the day. the # isn't actually whats important, its the change in the number, based on measuring the same time each day under the same circumstances. dont put too much thought into bf measurements. look in the mirror, its more accurate.
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