HLSG: Let them pinch your fat!

[lindrusso]

Okay, it wasn't pleasant, but it was very revealing!

I went to the Y to get weighed in for the holiday program and they also used one of those caliper things to measure my percentage of body fat. She pinched and measured here and there (I stopped short of dropping my pants) and came up with the number of about 21% body fat. She says that the recommendation is that women stay at 23% or below.

I was shocked to come out anything but above the average! She said that since I was looking to shape up, that I should shoot for about 18%. I came out much better than I ever dreamed, but still not near where I'd really like to be. And one of my worst area for fat was my triceps. Actually it's my rear end, but NOBODY'S gonna pinch that http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif !

Anyway, for those of you looking for a way to track your progress other than using the scale, you might want to check with your health club or physician to see if you can get your fat (or lack of fat) pinched!

[This message has been edited by lindrusso (edited 11-20-2000).]

[kwormann]

Another option that is even more acurate is the body fat tabulator. It is made by Tantia (sp) and you put in your age, sex and scale weight. Then you either hold it (as w/ mine) or stand onit and ot uses e;ectrodes to get your body fat. I use this so if I lose weight, I know if it is actually fat, of if I lost muscle, water, etc, stuff that doestn count.

Kim

[erinyyc]

I had a horrible experience when I had my body fat measured!! It came out to 16% and the trainer basically gave me *@#!?*!! I am 5'5" and weigh 125 lbs. I LOVE to lift weights and eat healthy (but I do love my beer on the weekends http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif)hehe. She told me that with my muscle/fat ratio I need to put on more fat!! Does this sound strange to anyone else??? I just had my yearly physical and everything came back just fine.
Erin

[MrsReber]

Erin, everyone is genetically different. I've known women with 11% body fat. I happen to be on the higher end and have a hard time staying below 23%- again genetics. You can only do so much with what you have to work with. If your doctor says you are fine, I wouldn't worry about what the trainer says. I actually look good at 23%- that puts me at 125 and I am 5'4". I am comfortable and happy there. If you are comfortable with they way you are, don't worry about what anyone else has to say about it.

[emilycat]

Erin,
I agree with Mrs. Reber; I'm 5'2 1/2", 105, and I'm at around 13% body fat. The guidelines that were used when I was tested said that only under 9% was unhealthy. I don't have a picture of you, but I imagine that you look pretty darned good. She was probably just jealous http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif -- not kidding.
If you feel strong and healthy, and you're happy with your body, take what she said with less than a grain of salt.
Em

[slknight]

I'd have to agree with what everyone else has said. Around 16% can be perfectly healthy. Your DOCTOR is the person who should be telling you if you are too thin, not your trainer. Genetics and lifestyle are different for everyone. If you are having medical problems from being too thin, then that is a different story.

Also, someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe standard "pinch" tests have a range of error of plus or minue 5% depending on how many points are taken and the skill of the person doing it. It can be helpful to have the same person do it over a period of time to see if the percentage has changed.

In college, we got weighed every week, and pinched every four weeks for the entire four years (swim team). Talk about doing a number on your self-esteem. They used to call it "body composition" testing instead of "body fat" so we wouldn't feel so bad! Most of the women ranged between 12% and 24%. Some of us had some pounds to shed, but a lot of it was genetics. I think that 23% is average for females, with 17% or lower for elite athletes.