I don't understand body fat %

jen_the_great
jen_the_great Posts: 4 Member
edited September 30 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi everyone,

I only have ten pounds to lose (which will be tough enough) but my body fat percentage is a whopping 35% some days. I thought that it was just my scale, but I had an assessment done at the gym last week and they said the same thing. They also said it should be around 20% and asked if I wanted personal training. I'm hoping to do it on my own, or with your help at least, but I don't really understand why it's so high in the first place. I asked my kickboxing instructor about it and she said there's no way your body fat is that high and then she pinched my sides. She said it's all a ruse to sell personal training, but can all the numbers be wrong? I'm not really big girl, but I know I'm not all muscle. Also, I know I shouldn't be focused on just one number, but my weight and measurements seem okay so I don't get why this one is so off. Any tips?

Thanks!

Replies

  • duckpond11
    duckpond11 Posts: 197 Member
    ever heard the term "skinny fat"? It is true that you could actually be 35% fat and be thin. However, if you are distrustful of your gym, I suggest you ask your doctor if they can check it for you or refer you.

    I don't think you need to pay for a personal trainer though. I am reading a book called "New Rules of Lifting for Women", and they lay out a workout for you. They also have nutrition suggestions, although I'm still reading through all this.
  • missa1982
    missa1982 Posts: 30
    I also had an assessment at my gym last week and mine was 36% - quite a shock. I was hungover so dehydration could have been a factor she said, but still it's high. My gym doesn't push PT so I'm thinking it's pretty much correct. I've decided to up my strength training to 4/5 times a week instead of once a week and upped my intake of protein. I'm going to see what happens over the next 6 weeks until my next assessment. Any advice also would be appreciated.
  • sarahliftsUP
    sarahliftsUP Posts: 752 Member
    To lose body fat, you need to strength train along with cardio.

    If you want a third opinion, you can use a body fat calculator. You'll need a measuring tape and enter the values. Here is one I found: http://www.freedieting.com/tools/body_fat_calculator.htm

    You can definitely do it by yourself! I personally love doing Jillian Michaels.. but there are other dvds too, or just common strength training exercises you can do if you pick up a set of dumbbells.

    **Edit: The URL I listed above isn't very helpful! haha I posted the wrong one: http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/body-fat-percentage-calculator
    This one makes you enter more than one measurement, giving a better estimate!
  • Goal_Seeker_1988
    Goal_Seeker_1988 Posts: 1,619 Member
    I don't know how accurate any of the tools they have for example the hand held devices. I was told by the owner of the gym they are not accurate.
  • melizerd
    melizerd Posts: 870 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/298392--these-are-a-few-of-my-favorite-links

    There are a lot of links in the first post and some of them are about body fat.

    Basically you need to reduce body fat, and replace it with lean muscle. The scale is really the enemy at this point, because you could even gain weight and look better if you gained muscle.

    Check out my hero Staci-
    http://nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero//
    She looks more lean and toned in the last picture even though she weighs more than the previous picture. So the scale is just a number. I'd rather be 10lbs heavier and toned.
  • jen_the_great
    jen_the_great Posts: 4 Member
    Thanks. I'm definitely switching out of step aerobics and into weight training. Cardio just feels so much more natural as a woman at the gym. I like Staci's story, but definitely not her diet. Baby steps, right?
  • 12by311
    12by311 Posts: 1,716 Member
    Thanks. I'm definitely switching out of step aerobics and into weight training. Cardio just feels so much more natural as a woman at the gym. I like Staci's story, but definitely not her diet. Baby steps, right?

    My advice: really give heavy lifting a try and get out of the mindset that cardio is more "natural" for a woman. What you eat and weights is going to change your body composition.

    One of my mfp friends posted this site and I love it: http://www.bmi-calculator.net/body-fat-calculator/body-fat-chart.php
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