Yeah, I found out my Percentage of Body Fat

[CHRIST1NE]

I am so excited. I met with a personal trainer last week (I've been doing free weights since Feb) to have him check my form and modify my routine a bit. He had a little gizmo thing that calcualtes your percentage of body fat. You enter you age, sex, height and weight. Then you hold onto the handles and it sends a current or something through your body and calcualtes it. Mine came back at 20%. He said that with the margin of error it is probably between 19% and 21% and that I was in excellent shape - who would have figured. I only wish I knew what percentage I started at. I changed my lifestyle in March of 2000 and have lost 35 pounds. I bet my fat percentage was way up there before though - I was really jiggly.

Do any of you know or track you body fat as opposed to or in conjunction with pounds?

[This message has been edited by CHRIST1NE (edited 06-23-2001).]

[BevP]

Yippee, Christine!!! I did my body fat a couple months ago and was shocked to find I didn't really need to lose any weight. I was at 23% which I'd really like to lower a tad but can take my time.

I much prefer body fat to the scale because it gives a truer picture. I urge everyone at our gym to do the fitness assessment they provide.

35 pounds, congrats! You've worked hard and can be a role model for everyone here.

[funnybone]

Congratulations on your accomplishment!! You must have really worked hard - and it definitely paid off!

There is a calculation for measuring body fat and there are a few websites where you can just put your weight and height in and it gives you a reading. I have used one at the following:
http://health.excite.com/health-e-tools/3837#

Try it out and compare with what you were told.

[CHRIST1NE]

Thanks Bev - congrats to you as well. Isn't it a nice feeling that you don't have to loose any weight http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

It's funny, this is the lightest/thinest I have ever been in my whole life. I used to think it was genitically impossible for me to get below 140 pounds (I was almost 160 in March 2000 and stand 5 foot 5 inches) so of course initially that was my goal weight. I was also convinced that I was born a size 10. Well 140 came and went and I finally leveled off in January 2001 at around 126 pounds. Needless to say I am still in a state of shock and still doing Jewel's (from the food BB) "Naked Dance". I do vary quite a bit though - usually between 124 and 127 but sometimes as high as 129/130 which I totally don't understand. I am ashamed to say that I do still rely on the scales more than I should. I'm getting better though, it was just too hard on my self-esteem when it would fluxuate up like that.

I must say that the CL BB has been a true inspiration in my quest. I only cook CL recipes and rely heavily on the food posts to broaden my horizons - which they have done and then some. I don't post very often, but pop in several times a day just see what every one is up to.

In summary, I think a healthy life style is a daily concious effort. Granted it's much easier than it used to be, but it still requires planning and effort. Furthermore, there are no bad days in my opinion, only good days and better days. Why beat myself up for eating something I shouldn't have or not exercising as long/hard or at all when I have some sooooooo far. And finally, breakfast always starts you out with a clean slate for the day!

[This message has been edited by CHRIST1NE (edited 06-23-2001).]

[lindrusso]

Congrats Christine! I like your attitude!

[McSix]

Christine, congratulations!

I also lost 37 pounds 3 years ago and am 5'5". I continue to exercise regularly and have developed great leg and arm muscles, but have gained 7 of those pounds back this year. I'm not sure why; friends insist that being almost 47 has much to do with it. Anyhow, all that weight is centered around my waist. Yuck! I'm planning a "spa summer" to try and be extra careful about what I eat and vary my exercise. I really want those 7 pounds to go away again! If you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them!

[CHRIST1NE]

McSix, so sorry it's taken me so long to reply.... I heaven't been able to access the boards in over a week.

Unfortunately I can't answer your question. I am 34 and actually right below my belly-button is the only jiggly-roll that I can't seem to get rid of - granted it's just a small roll but hangs a tad on my panty line, but it's still so annoying because like you, I have nice arms & legs. My trainer said that skin looses it's elasticity and that's part of it, the other is that everyone has an area on their body where fat tends to collect and for me that's where it goes I guess - my middle. It's hard to believe that my waist was 32 inches when I started and now it's 26 1/2, it's that darn lower abdomen that isn't being as cooperative.

As for the 7 pounds you have put on, could that be a change in your metabolism? I hear that as we age we actually need less and less food - not sure if it's really true, but maybe you could cut a few calories and keep the same workout routine - or maybe your body has gotten used to the routine so maybe it's time to mix things up a tad. Just thoughts, hope it helps. By the way, congratulations on loosing your weight!!!!

[funnybone]

Originally posted by CHRIST1NE
It's hard to believe that my waist was 32 inches when I started and now it's 26 1/2, it's that darn lower abdomen that isn't being as cooperative.




What an accomplishment!! You should be proud of yourself!!