Aaaack, that CAN'T be right....but is?

Ok, most of us know how our body self-image can be distorted, at least somewhat, either from ignoring the facts, overemphasizing one aspect or another, or having a skewed self-perception. 

Well, I thought I had a really accurate, healthy view of my body weight and fitness level, and that my goals were reasonable and very middle-of-the-road.  I've been on a journey for 4 years, one that has taken me (in stages) from 5'6" and 210 lbs down to 127lbs.  I focus on fitness now and wanted to reach my final goal of 120 lbs by the end of summer 2009.  Then yesterday I saw a website that said it could calculate body fat.  I took my measurements, plugged them in, and received a shock.  It said I was 14.2% body fat.  WHAT?  That's low...like "athlete" low.  I'm not a triathlete or anything and figured I'd be between 19% and 20%...at the low end of average! 

I made a Dr.'s appointment for today and asked her to help me determine my body fat percentage more accurately.  She took many measuremements, used calipers, and consulted charts.  She came up with 14%.  I told her my weight goal of 120 lbs and she was horrified.  I guess my body image isn't as accurate as I thought...

Anyone else receive a big "wake up" lately?

You sound like me, being on a four year journey to get in shape, only I haven't gotten down to 127 lbs.. But I am 5"4" and four years ago weighed 205 (shudder).  I, too, still want to loose weight even when other people say I don't need to.  I am still overweight though, no matter what people say.  When I see a photo of me, I start shuddering again!  I am down over 40 pounds, but the flab is still there.  My self image is different from the image my friends and relatives see.

Congrats on the loss alicat and double congrats on going to the doctor and being so proactive with your health!

THANK you spirochete!!!  And good job to you too, littlejudy!  It's definitely a lifestyle change, and I certainly had to deal with friends/boyfriends/family when they urged me to "just stop" losing weight (I have a small frame and knew my BMI, and they thought I ought to quit at 165lbs...HA!)  I'm in semi-shock now from the recent news...it just doesn't make sense to keep to my original goal now if I'm "healthy" already...that would be mildly obsessive (and therefore unhealthy) right?  Mental....adjustment....processing....

sorry kind of off topic but what is the website to calculate your body fat?

Well, there are several that I used for averaging purposes before I went to my doctor, but here are a couple starters:

http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/home -body-fat-test-2774-143.html

http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/library/blbodyf atcalculator.htm