Body Fat % Question

I know not all website tests are 100% accurate for body fat testing, but since my co-pay is $70 at the doctors, getting it measured ATM isn't possible.

I took interest in the one for the US Navy (I think it was), that overtherainbow posted.  Maybe I did something wrong? I re-measured 4 times. It said My BF% was a little over 32%.  I'm shocked to say the least.  I havn't starved myself (I always have well over 1200 *net* calories) and I exercise decently and regularly.

I'm 150 5'7", I'm not over weight, so why is my BF% so high?

yeah, i took this test also, and i think it is very accurate, although i don't like the nuber it gives me either

Thank you, that caliper looks really cool.  I think I'll get one, since I'll obviously be using it a lot. XD

It's quite amazing you can lose that much body fat, but only a few pounds.

I mean, I thought I looked bad for being 150, but I guess it's true XD

I just joined a gym, I'm going to be working pretty hard as soon as I get over this head cold.  I have some issues, impact exercises make my chronic back pain worse.  I can usually only do the elliptical for long periods of time.  I usually power walk a mile on the tredmill (when I use to go to the gym) and do a couple minutes on the bike.  (biking irritates my back).

I like doing a little bit of lifting, heaven knows I'm a weakling, I can lift about 40lbs with both arms, and that is struggling XD.

how long have you been dieting?

i know in me ( was heavier before same ht)
my body fat was high like that and then i ate my maintain cals for a few months and my body fat began to lower and i shrank. the scale stayed about the same.

i have a small frame and i know at 150 my body fat was higher than yours. now staying at this lower weight (135-140)
my post diet body fat was 32-34. i ate maintaince cals gained three pounds that came off in a a few weeks. and then my body fat started to reduce. 10 % gone in about 2 months. even though my weight stayed the same. my measurements didnt. my hips dropped about 3 inches. ( i didnt workout either)

so i am guessing you are in the same boat probably.

Ummm Feb. 27th I think.

I fell off the wagon off and on for a month though.  I got to 148.6 then gained to 150.  It's my fault.  I sometimes have stressful weeks where I only eat maintainence.  I don't know... I think I'm not working out hard enough because my back pain stops me.

Sooo maybe I should eat 1800 + workout calories to maintain and build more muscle so it can burn off the fat?

I think it would be healthier for me to look at it that way.

I try to think of the scale as a tool, I'm rarely upset by what it says because I know the reality of a pound = 3500 calories.

I went through a period of time where I was 149-150 for 3 weeks, I noticed a big difference in how my clothing fit, but I weighed the same.  So I definately get the concept that what you weigh isn't always how you look.

Although the tool doesn't take into consideration your weight, I found it was pretty accurate when I did a comparison of my measurements at start and then the measurements at now.  I have lost about 21 pounds and the body fat % lost equaled to about 20 pounds.  I also do strength training so I feel this is pretty accurate because I do feel I maintained muscle and lost fat - mostly.

Well I'll keep you posted, maybe I can convince my mom to buy it for me, or go 50/50, I'm kinda poor XD......

Joining the gym couldn't have come at a better time, I feel very motivated to get my BF% lower.  Plus I think I need more than the elliptical at home =3.

I just need to get over this head cold, it kinda feels like the same one I had before I got tonsillitis last year. =\

this was so helpful! my body fat percentage is so high, but  this just encouraged me to workout more!!

Well, come on. I was reading something about the skinniest celebrities a bit ago. Some of which were just beautiful. However,...They said Nicole Richies Body fat percentage was 18.

I don't think anyone here wants to be her either. You can lose weight, which naturally decreases your body fat percentage. But, that doesn't mean you're going to look good. You'll just be thinnier. And thinner. And thinner until nothing is left but bones.

I don't want to be a line segment. On the other hand if you're working at building lean muscle, that's a different story. You may actually gain weight, because muscle is heavier than fat. But, the percentage of your body fat will decrease.

Ehhh, like I've expressed often times on this forum, I don't care if I still weigh 150, I DO want to look better though, maybe not so...jiggly? XD.

 I just use the number to see where I'm at in this.

So that body fat % is fairly accurate? I've never tested my body fat %, mostly because when I was heavier I was too afraid of the result! But now that I've lost 31-32 lbs, I'm ok with looking at the number... took my measurements and did the calculations... pleased to discover my body fat % is 7.9! So if that's accurate... then I'm happy :)

I have a scale that measures BF% and I tried the site and found it to come up slightly higher. I played around with the measurements a little...it was weird. I think it is a little off.

I run between 24% and 26% and the site came off with 27% to 28%. The number fluctuates when my weight is up bc of water weight. (The higher your weight when bc of water means less fat% bc of simple math, but does not indicate a change in the amount of fat in your body. For example yesterday I was retaining about 6 pounds of water, and my body fat was 24% bc I weighed 150, but when I weigh 144, it shoots up to 26%, because the percentage is from a lower number. I know that is confusing...but it makes sense to me...)

The scales measure by running harmless electrical currents through your body and see how fast it comes back. Mine measures water as well. When I feel bloated, I can check and reassure myself that it is water weight.

I reccomend shelling out $30 for a scale that measures BF% (measuring water is good too!).

broncogal02 - I think you may have entered something in wrong. 7.9% for a woman is too low. Even for an athlete. Non-athlete women should bottom out at 18%. There is a guide on the same site for normal ranges for men and women.

Heh - funny you should mention the scale BF measure. I have one that does that, with the electric current.  I was scared to use it because the last time I took it I was 5'7" 145lbs about 5 years ago.... it said 28, which was high.  All it did was depress me XD

I will go home and do that today, and tomorrow morning, see what I get.

I second the 7.9% reading, you probably would have hair falling out and lost your period with a BF% that low.  I know measuring tapes can be kinda weird, are you sure you know how to use one? (I didn't use to know how)

I started out about 29% or something.

When I first got it, dh got on it too before I knew about the difference between men and women and I was pissed!! haha, but now that I know better mine BF% is better relative to his.

I would like to be like 21% and I would be estatic!

Ah the hilarities of differences.  I'd be more than happy to have a BMI of 21 and a BF of 21%.  We shall see if that ever comes to pass.

I'm doing better for the past 2 weeks, back on track.  I can do this, RAWR!  No more falling off the wagon.  Going to the gym, gonna work itttt yeahhh XD

My BF is 16.5% and I don't exercise or starve at all, so Nicole Richie's would be more like 6%

Where are you girls getting these numbers??

I am not trying to be mean in any way, but I just dont see it to be possible. 8% is low for a MAN. Are you sure you are not confusing BMI with BF%??

i re-calculated mine and it is not 7.9, haha. i was measuring my waist at the wrong spot, a couple more inches makes a difference! it is more like 18-20%, depending which website/calculation i use. makes me feel better after listening to all of you and reading more about body fat percentage!

I got 18.2 body fat, would that be normal at someone 5'6? I definitely don't look like Nicole Richie!

18% is classified as an athlete for women.  BF% Calculator

Body Fat Index from American Council on Exercise   

Classification   

Women (% Fat)
Essential Fat 10-12 
Athletes 14-20  
Fitness 21-24
Acceptable 25-31
Obese > 31

Men (% Fat)     
Essential Fat 2-4   
Athletes 6-13   
Fitness 14-17   
Acceptable 18-25   
Obese  > 25