Lose weight to be healthy??? F no, I want to be HAWT!

I totally do all these fitness things to be healthy...:laugh:

Mostly because he used to have 4.5% bodyfat...

Actually that's verging on death.

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I know guys with 2% body fat.

I've read that 3% was the minimum recommended body fat percentage for men... He liked being ripped and did a lot of martial arts. He was also an instructor.

The BEST elite athletes in the world, the best bodybuilders in the world sit at 3%-4% body fat for maybe a day. Where are you getting your information or is it just something you've heard? If it's written, I'd love to see it to see if it contradicts what medical journals and science journals are stating at "livable" body fat levels.

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I'm getting my information from working with jockeys, but you can also see it here as well as other places.
http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/passionateeyeshowcase/2009/jockeyundercover/jockeyundercover_interview.html
and
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2004/april/14/hbo-documentary-jockey-makes-case-for-raising-minimum-weight.aspx

It's an article and doesn't mention how the measurement standard that they use to obtain the percentage. I'll take the medical study over the article, especially since even in the article it states that jockeys who are under 5% body fat are suffering body damage.

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Double post.

Mostly because he used to have 4.5% bodyfat...

Actually that's verging on death.

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I know guys with 2% body fat.

I've read that 3% was the minimum recommended body fat percentage for men... He liked being ripped and did a lot of martial arts. He was also an instructor.

The BEST elite athletes in the world, the best bodybuilders in the world sit at 3%-4% body fat for maybe a day. Where are you getting your information or is it just something you've heard? If it's written, I'd love to see it to see if it contradicts what medical journals and science journals are stating at "livable" body fat levels.

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I'm getting my information from working with jockeys, but you can also see it here as well as other places.
http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/passionateeyeshowcase/2009/jockeyundercover/jockeyundercover_interview.html
and
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2004/april/14/hbo-documentary-jockey-makes-case-for-raising-minimum-weight.aspx

It's an article and doesn't mention how the measurement standard that they use to obtain the percentage. I'll take the medical study over the article, especially since even in the article it states that jockeys who are under 5% body fat are suffering body damage.

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Of course they're suffering body damage. I'm not saying this is healthy, just that it's possible.

And the article isn't my main source.

I'm doing it to be healthier. Keep my body in shape and eat right. Also to feel good about how I look.

Mostly because he used to have 4.5% bodyfat...

Actually that's verging on death.

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I know guys with 2% body fat.

I've read that 3% was the minimum recommended body fat percentage for men... He liked being ripped and did a lot of martial arts. He was also an instructor.

The BEST elite athletes in the world, the best bodybuilders in the world sit at 3%-4% body fat for maybe a day. Where are you getting your information or is it just something you've heard? If it's written, I'd love to see it to see if it contradicts what medical journals and science journals are stating at "livable" body fat levels.

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I'm getting my information from working with jockeys, but you can also see it here as well as other places.
http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/passionateeyeshowcase/2009/jockeyundercover/jockeyundercover_interview.html
and
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2004/april/14/hbo-documentary-jockey-makes-case-for-raising-minimum-weight.aspx

It's an article and doesn't mention how the measurement standard that they use to obtain the percentage. I'll take the medical study over the article, especially since even in the article it states that jockeys who are under 5% body fat are suffering body damage.

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Of course they're suffering body damage. I'm not saying this is healthy, just that it's possible.

And the article isn't my main source.

I took it as countering my point that 4% was verging on death and that you stating 2% is doable and livable. I'm doubting 2% since I haven't read any medical journals that studied people at that body fat % (especially sports people who need high calories and correct metabolic function to compete) but I'll research it.

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Mostly because he used to have 4.5% bodyfat...

Actually that's verging on death.

I know guys with 2% body fat.

I call BS. They'd be dead.

It might be wrong, probably was, but I went to school with a girl who had 0% BF according to our gym teacher. She was pretty tiny, I mean you couldn't pinch any fat anywhere on her, honestly. It is possible she had an eating disorder, but I don't want to make unfair accusations.

They'd be dead. You CANNOT LIVE without bodyfat.

Yeah, that's what I had thought... lol. But I'm sure it was dangerously low, whatever it actually was. Body needs fat to work... it's an organ, I thought...? >.>

Truth. Fat secretes hormones.

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Correct, too little fat =no di-testosterone = sex organs failing to function correctly.

I took it as countering my point that 4% was verging on death and that you stating 2% is doable and livable. I'm doubting 2% since I haven't read any medical journals that studied people at that body fat % (especially sports people who need high calories and correct metabolic function to compete) but I'll research it.

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

There are definitely jockeys who have maintained 2% body fat over the years, such as Laffit Pincay. But yes, I agree, body fat that low, which jockeys have to maintain to ride every day, is not at all good. More jockeys die trying to make weight than I'd care to think about.

And when you get there, we will all congratulate you on your success..You've talked the talk, now walk the walk.

Thanks... for the motivation? I'm walking the walk right now... See the 34 pounds lost part?

Yes, I read that part. I like to see end results. I will always dream about being 130lbs and a size 4. However, I take my success in small increments, for I (personally) know that if I focus too much on the number, it'll never come. Also, it's unrealistic to have such a low boyfat % like you've described. Try focusing on getting to a healthy weight first before you even consider lowering your body fat %.

What's going to happen when you reach a plateau? Don't you think you'll get frustrated and discouraged? I see this happen to more than I like. Just take it day by day, week by week, and month by month. Remember it's not a race, this is a journey.

EDIT: Also, wanting to look hot? Sounds to me that you seem to have some self esteem issues. Being hot is not just about looks, it's also about the way you carry yourself and present yourself to society. Being outgoing brings out the beauty in people. It's not all about the looks that you see on the outside...

LOL...I so agree with you. Mine reason is both, but HOT is fabulous 2!

I have two reasons:

1. Look good naked.
2. Less back pain.

The second reason might be about health. But mostly it's that I don't like pain. My BP and cholesterol are fine. I was never overweight to the point that it was putting my health at risk.

I'm totally in the same boat. I do want to be healthier; I want to be able to jog up stairs and work and not be gasping when I'm done, and I want to finish my 30's with the kind of overall health that I should have had in my 20's.

But that's not what gets me off the couch and to the gym. That's accomplished with a look in the mirror and the size tag on my clothes. I want to be able to date comfortably and be out in public without worrying every 10 minutes that my shirt is not laying just the right way to hide the spare tire around my midsection. I want to get some of those looks I see guys give the fit girls at the gym. And I want to shop in normal sized clothes because, lets be honest, they are cuter. I'm not sure who decided that anyone overweight should wear nothing but paisley or wild color patterns, but I'm ready to break out of that.

I understand the whole "love yourself" thing, and I totally value myself as a person. But loving yourself and being realistic have to go hand in hand in my world. Am I worthy of love and respect? Damn Right. Could I use some weight loss to make me look better? Damn Right. Because flab isn't hot and I have flab; so less flab will make me hotter. Now that's the kind of math equation I can understand.

I want both!

And when you get there, we will all congratulate you on your success..You've talked the talk, now walk the walk.

Thanks... for the motivation? I'm walking the walk right now... See the 34 pounds lost part?

Yes, I read that part. I like to see end results. I will always dream about being 130lbs and a size 4. However, I take my success in small increments, for I (personally) know that if I focus too much on the number, it'll never come. Also, it's unrealistic to have such a low boyfat % like you've described. Try focusing on getting to a healthy weight first before you even consider lowering your body fat %.

What's going to happen when you reach a plateau? Don't you think you'll get frustrated and discouraged? I see this happen to more than I like. Just take it day by day, week by week, and month by month. Remember it's not a race, this is a journey.

EDIT: Also, wanting to look hot? Sounds to me that you seem to have some self esteem issues. Being hot is not just about looks, it's also about the way you carry yourself and present yourself to society. Being outgoing brings out the beauty in people. It's not all about the looks that you see on the outside...

I think you misread. I don't want an extremely low body fat %... and yes, I do have self-esteem issues that I'm working through. I also have depression which exercising helps.

But seriously, what is thinking about my health getting me if it doesn't motivate me? I'm healthy now and thinking about health issues arising in the future does nothing for me. I'm thinking about what it was like to be smaller. How I felt, how I looked, etc. I like thinking about that and it motivates me. I don't think there is anything wrong with that.

It also seems that people are mistaking me being focused on my looks right now for lack of caring about my health or understanding the health implications of the future for my decisions now. I understand that this is something that I will have to deal with for the rest of my life (journey) I also understand that I must stay motivated and if this at any point does not continue to motivate me, I'll have to look for new motivation.

-shrugs-

Ok, so I didn't misread what you wrote. I came from a family that ate healthy foods, was active (but should have been much more active), yet I was overweight. So, I wasn't healthy because I was overweight. So, now, I'm becoming healthy. Luckily, I don't suffer from pre-existing disorders or anything that would hinder my ability to work out. I was fortunate. I'm sorry that you suffer from depresssion....and yes, most definitely exercising does help cope with depression. Reward yourself with every small milestone you reach. Make those goals for yourself.