Working out Bodyfat?
dave_in_ni
Posts: 533 Member
Need some advice here folks. I am trying to work of BF % rather that focusing on a number on the scales. Calipers I can't use, never have been sure how much damn fat to grab.
But using things like US Navy Caluclators. I come in at around 13% BF.
I'm 5'11
175lbs
11.5 Neck
28 waist
28 hips
Comes in at 13% bf. Now the problem?? I'm skinny fat, I have no fat in these areas, it all collects in the chest and I posted a pic on here before and got told 20% bf.
So any ideas which is correct?
But using things like US Navy Caluclators. I come in at around 13% BF.
I'm 5'11
175lbs
11.5 Neck
28 waist
28 hips
Comes in at 13% bf. Now the problem?? I'm skinny fat, I have no fat in these areas, it all collects in the chest and I posted a pic on here before and got told 20% bf.
So any ideas which is correct?
1
Replies
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Believe it or not this comes in at 13% bf
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Yes so do I. I think its because all my weight is in the one area and the areas measured have no fat, I even tried calculators that measure wrists biceps etc and they said the same in or around 11-13, its really hard to gain proportion from photos but for example my 10 year old daughter, who is not overweight has bigger wrists than me, I am very finely built.0
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That's 20, not 13, sorry matey!3
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So basically we can say either A - These online calculators are crap or B - I fall through the cracks due to where my fat is stored? I think you can see that in the photos, look at my traps collar bone biceps and then look at my pecs, I am not disagreeing with either of you, I agree. I was just confused as these calculators say different1
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I'd say 19-20% but there really is no way to tell. Nor does it really matter.
Just keep eating at a deficit and keep eating a moderate amount of protein and lift heavy.
You'll get there if you stick to it.4 -
RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »I'd say 19-20% but there really is no way to tell. Nor does it really matter.
Just keep eating at a deficit and keep eating a moderate amount of protein and lift heavy.
You'll get there if you stick to it.
I want to focus on BF% rather than weight on a scale though.1 -
Weight on the scale is a mix of body fat, water and muscle.
It is more accurate than trying to measure body fat as hydration levels effect it too much.2 -
These calculators are crap if you don't have exactly the right bodyshape and fat distribution that works for them. I have a tiny neck, but massive hips (which, btw are bone, not so much padding), and as I'm not so tall and also have a fairly wide ribcage my waist is a bit bigger as well. I get completely rubbish numbers out of those calculators.3
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Only way is probably to get a dexa scan done - costs $$ though I think.
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These calculators are crap if you don't have exactly the right bodyshape and fat distribution that works for them. I have a tiny neck, but massive hips (which, btw are bone, not so much padding), and as I'm not so tall and also have a fairly wide ribcage my waist is a bit bigger as well. I get completely rubbish numbers out of those calculators.
Yep I seem to be the same.2 -
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RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »Weight on the scale is a mix of body fat, water and muscle.
It is more accurate than trying to measure body fat as hydration levels effect it too much.
Right OK.1 -
My body fat scales aren't too bad. They measure slightly over compared to a DEXA scan but it's consistent, so the decrease in body fat is the same amount as the decrease shows with a DEXA scan, they just read higher (about 2%). Since I track trends that's good enough for me.
Might be worth looking out for some of them. I have ones with handles so it gives a segmented analysis.4 -
dave_in_ni wrote: »RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »I'd say 19-20% but there really is no way to tell. Nor does it really matter.
Just keep eating at a deficit and keep eating a moderate amount of protein and lift heavy.
You'll get there if you stick to it.
I want to focus on BF% rather than weight on a scale though.
But the quickest way to reduce your bodyfat % is a calorie deficit and losing weight/losing fat.
Would suggest using the BF pictures on Builtlean.com as a rough guide.
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How can you focus on losing body fat if you don't have a way to measure it? Can you go to a wellness center for an assessment where they use calipers?
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Why don’t you just keep a log of your measurements and see how those change, instead of plugging them into the calculator? That way you can measure the areas you want to see a change in and ignore ones (like your wrists) that don’t matter as much.
I’m driven solely by progress pics at this point3 -
Wether you are bothered about the number on a scale or not what you need to do is eat at a deficit and lose fat.
You can not spot reduce so it also is irrelevant where you think your fat is too.
Eat at a deficit making sure you are getting plenty of protein and lift weights2 -
dave_in_ni wrote: »So basically we can say either A - These online calculators are crap or B - I fall through the cracks due to where my fat is stored? I think you can see that in the photos, look at my traps collar bone biceps and then look at my pecs, I am not disagreeing with either of you, I agree. I was just confused as these calculators say different
I'm going for full of crap. Because 7 percent is a big difference, and you are definitely not at 13.
Want an accurate number? Go for BodPod testing or Dexa.2 -
If you’re going to focus on body fat as your metric to chase you’re going to have to use a proper way to measure, simple as that. She’ll out for the proper scans or figure something else out.2
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I don't understand why you need a measurement. Is it just vanity, so you can tell people you're whatever percent?
Lose weight until you feel you have the fat level you desire.1
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