Body Fat Percentage

[daisyduke]

I just got a hand held electric body fat percentage calculator. This is it:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ance&n=3760901

Anyway, it says my body fat is 16.9%, and I am so upset. Dr. Doug says that low teens is healthy, and I thought I was there. I really workout a lot (at least 2 hours a day) and I only eat raw fruits and veggies - no nuts or seeds. I guess I just have to keep at it. Any suggestions for lowering this and losing more fat? Do I just need more time? Thanks for any opinions in advance.

[Coriander74]

Hi Daisyduke...

ok, I've had experience with those handheld things because I used to be a trainer at Curves gym and had time to experiment with these. We had two of them, and the one that you show is one of them.

~ the amount of water you drink in a day will affect the body-fat, since the electricity goes through the water in your body and compares it to the denser material

~your percentage will change before and after a workout

~your percentage will change depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle

~the percentage can change depending on how much and when you last ate

Also, if you're only having fruits and veggies, your body might be hanging on to this fat because you're not eating any. It doesn't matter if you work out 2 hours a day or not, your body will outsmart you LOL. Try having a handful of walnuts each day, or an avocado, and see what happens.
Below I've posted a link to a short article and chart for body fat percentages. If you are a female, remember that you don't want that percentage falling too low or else your body will react and you will begin to lose your cycle, or lose hair, or any of the other things typically associated with low fat or even emaciation. (I'm recovering from EDs, so this is what I've been told by trainers and my psychiatrist.)

Body Fat Percentage Chart (General)

All the best!!

[paleogirl]

I just got a hand held electric body fat percentage calculator. This is it:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ance&n=3760901

Anyway, it says my body fat is 16.9%, and I am so upset. Dr. Doug says that low teens is healthy, and I thought I was there. I really workout a lot (at least 2 hours a day) and I only eat raw fruits and veggies - no nuts or seeds. I guess I just have to keep at it. Any suggestions for lowering this and losing more fat? Do I just need more time? Thanks for any opinions in advance.

Daisy, what is so bad about 16.9% (presuming you are a woman)? That's right in the pocket for healthy women. When I started working out with a personal trainer last year I got my body fat measured by him with ameasuring tape and callipers and it was ~16%. I am 5' 4" and at that point was around 115lb. Not fat, I just wanted toning up. Women's bodyfat percentage is supposed to be quite a bit higher than mens.

[jjonak]

Daisyduke,

16.9% is really good! The most attractive women I know are all in the 16-20% fat range, so I don't know if you really do want to be in the teens? It sounds like you have the healthiest lifestyle. I wouldn't try to push your body to an unrealistic limit. You are eating great, working out, and I'm sure you look amazing. You should be proud of your lifestyle and your body fat percentage, which is great by any standard body fat charts I've ever seen!

Jenny

[rawfigure]

My advice is IGNORE them, return if possible. They are not accurate anyway. I was contest ready, lean, 6 pack veins showing and I tried them at the show and it said 21%. I had the bodyfat scales and they said 11 % that same day. Calipers put me at about 9 %.

Underwater testing is the most accurate.

[Brianna]

You're doing well! The average college female is 30% body fat.

[daisyduke]

Okay, thank you to you all! I was ready to throw in the towel, but you made me realize that that may be inaccurate anyway. Thank you for bringing that to my attention. I guess I should just focus on being healthy anyway! Thanks for the support!

[daisyduke]

I remeasured after I realized I had it set for a "male" and I got a totally different reading. Now it says 14.6% and I'm much happier with that. No wonder it was so high before. THanks again!