I just got back from a cruise on carnival. I went to 2 of their health seminars which they offered body fat and bmr, hydration levels. etc.... it was a test where they put an electrode on your hand and one on your feet. it took a whole 5 seconds or so but anyway, are these accurate? I have had the calipers which said about the same results. I dont understand, Ikhow I am not lean, lean but I am no means over wt. It said I was 26.2percent basically 1.2 over the average and recommended that I drop to 22 percent. I figured I would be at the higher end of the range but not over. I wear a size 4-6 and have always been told that I am muscular and toned but this test really had me feeling bad. I know my wt is up and I do want to lose , I am currently 134lbs 5' 2 1/2 inches tall. I am more athletic shaped ,even my doctor has commented on my tone and that I dont look like I weigh that much. Is it because they take wt inconsideration and with being short puts me over the range. This is very depressing for me., I thought I was in moderately good shape but it makes me feel defeated. does anyone know if these are accurate?
body fat testing question
- Thread starter runfree
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syzygy314
Cathlete
Being in good shape and good health does not have anything to do with body fat percentage. BF is completely dependent on diet - or mostly. I am in a size 2-4, am 5'4", 48 yo. I eat mostly clean, but love my wine and weekend runs to McDonald's! My BF hovers around 21-22%, but I know I can get it lower. I would have to clean up my diet a lot more for that, but am just not ready to get that strict. I enjoy my food too much - and my wine! LOL!
Don't let it bother you. Being fit and healthy is more important than having super low BF.
I would recommend an underwater weighing for BF. Those are the most accurate of the most common methods. There is a body composition scan you can have done, but you'd need to check your area to find someone who does it. I still haven't found anyone in my area, but I haven't spoken to a sports PT.
I hope this helps you. Not knowing what your diet and nutrition is like, I couldn't make any other recommendations.
Don't let it bother you. Being fit and healthy is more important than having super low BF.
I would recommend an underwater weighing for BF. Those are the most accurate of the most common methods. There is a body composition scan you can have done, but you'd need to check your area to find someone who does it. I still haven't found anyone in my area, but I haven't spoken to a sports PT.
I hope this helps you. Not knowing what your diet and nutrition is like, I couldn't make any other recommendations.
I know I could clean up my diet and I know that plays a big role in body fat but I am still in pretty good shape and to be told that I am 1.2 percent over the 15-25 percent range I should be in was a blow to me. I didnt and knew I wasnt at the 15 or even 20 percent mark but I thought probably around the 24 percent but never did I think I was over the bodyfat. I mean that is just plan riddiculous, everyone that knows me says if your over on bodyfat I would hate to see what mine is. I have always been told that I am toned looking and muscular even by girls that are younger than me that I work with. I dont have alot of extra fat, yes some but not a ton. oh well, I will get over it. I just didnt know if this type of testing is accurate or not since nobody where I live does it. thanks
wendybdh
Cathlete
I totally agree that it can be frustrating. I just had mine done last week and it was 20.6. I am about 8lbs away from my goal weight, have definition and eat very healthy. I had a day where I whined and ate whatever I wanted b/c I thought heck with it. Then after I was done with that, I decided that I have worked really hard and am going to keep working really hard because losing a few pounds of fat can change those measurements drastically. So just look at it as a goal to work towards. I'm giving myself till my DD turns 1 in October to lose the last pounds and get my bf tested again. Just be patient and let it be your motivation not your hinderance.
Stebby
Cathlete
I just got tested last weekend (the electronic conduction thing that you had) and my measurement was 34%. I have recently lost 15 lbs and am still 15-16 lbs over where I want to be, and I knew I was going to come in a bit high but I was also quite surprised at just how high the number was! I was sure it would be under 30%. I am 5'5" and currently wear size 8-10 dress and pants. The purpose of telling you this is just to give you another perspective - I don't look overweight to the person on the street but my body fat is over 1/3 of my weight. 26.2% is pretty darned good - well below the average North American woman, I would say! (I'm not sure why the tester would have said you are above average - they should have said "very slightly above the ideal for a very fit woman".)
You sound like you are in great shape. If you really want to get down to 22% body fat you don't have that far to go - just 7 lbs or so provided you maintain your lean body mass. (At 134 lbs and 26.2% body fat you are about 99 lbs of lean body mass. Divide this by .78 (that's 100% - 22%) is about 127 lbs. Even losing just 2 lbs will take you down to 25%.)
Stebby
You sound like you are in great shape. If you really want to get down to 22% body fat you don't have that far to go - just 7 lbs or so provided you maintain your lean body mass. (At 134 lbs and 26.2% body fat you are about 99 lbs of lean body mass. Divide this by .78 (that's 100% - 22%) is about 127 lbs. Even losing just 2 lbs will take you down to 25%.)
Stebby
syzygy314
Cathlete
I know it's hard and it's frustrating, believe me! I would definitely have another method done just to put your mind at ease. It is possible the test was inaccurate. A lot depends on how the unit is calibrated and how often, if it even needs calibration, etc. I would really not dwell on it, though. Unless you're planning to do a fitness or bodybuilding competition, as long as you're getting the results you want and hitting the goals you are setting for yourselves, you shouldn't worry too much about the numbers.
If it really bothers you, try an underwater weighing or a body comp scan. A local university or sports medicine facility should be able to do either or both at a fairly reasonable rate. A university would probably even do it for free if they have students that need to do so many tests.
It's all about feeling fit and healthy anyway, right?
If it really bothers you, try an underwater weighing or a body comp scan. A local university or sports medicine facility should be able to do either or both at a fairly reasonable rate. A university would probably even do it for free if they have students that need to do so many tests.
It's all about feeling fit and healthy anyway, right?
I guess I'm frustrated because it seems to meet these standards for us short girls that you have to be skinny, skinny not athletic. I have an athletic build and am not a bean pole. I have boobs and hips, I am curvy not stick thin. I love having curves, I think that is what makes a woman look sexy. But apparently because I am short I cannot weigh over 125lbs or I am considered to have too much body fat. Why does what you weigh have to affect the result? I could see if I was 5' 2' 1/2 and weigh alot more but I am in a size 4-6 have very muscular quads, fairly toned abs and arms. This wont make me give up,,exercise is a part of my life,without it I wouldnt be complete. Its my stress reliever,my high,it makes me feel better period. i just get frustrated because I am short and it seems being short we get the down side of things when it comes to fitness, modeling etc... short people are beautiful too and they can be very sexy and fit even tho we dont weigh 100 lbs. To heck with those tests!!!! I look great! can I improve, definately but for being almost 41 yrs old, I look as good ,if not better than some 20 yrs olds. I'm Not dissin on you young girls either. Just my hubbys friend started working out last yr and he will be 40 next yr and he said he is trying to get in shape before he turns 40 so it wont be so hard later as he gets older and he said to me, look at you your good looking and in good shape at 40 and his girlfriend is 27 yrs old. Nice compliment. sorry to ramble on. thanks for all the advice.
Stebby
Cathlete
I don't think those tests take your height into account...? My understanding is that they are measuring the amount of water in your body (by how fast the impulses travel between the electrodes) and from that, estimating the percentage of your body weight that is fat. The test equipment doesn't know how tall you are.
I wouldn't worry about it if I were you. I think you're at a very healthy percentage. In fact once I get to where you are now, I think I'm going to stop trying to lose anymore! I am almost 49 and I'm going to be one hot chick. I prefer to be a bit curvy too.
Stebby
I wouldn't worry about it if I were you. I think you're at a very healthy percentage. In fact once I get to where you are now, I think I'm going to stop trying to lose anymore! I am almost 49 and I'm going to be one hot chick. I prefer to be a bit curvy too.
Stebby
buckeyegirl
Cathlete
I feel your frustration. The college my DH works at has health testing twice yearly- it's actually a great program. They check your chol, glucose and some other bloodwork along with BMI and fat% as well as mental health, eating habits. If you do it twice yearly, you get $50 off the insurance monthly. So, it's a great incentive to stay healthy, and I'm sure it benefits the university as well as I'm sure if employees remain healthy, then insurance claims are far fewer. So, all in all, it's a great program.
However, they do teh %bf where they put a strap around your bicep. It's supposed to be fairly accurate, I guess. Well, last year I was 131 lbs at 5 ft. 6 inches. 130 is really almost too low for me - my husband says I start looking "bird like" and too thin. Well, %bf was 27% and they recommended I lose 2-3 lbs. I was really pissed.
So, I just ignored it and continue to eat as clean as possible.
Don't fret - you sound like you are in great shape!
Heidi
However, they do teh %bf where they put a strap around your bicep. It's supposed to be fairly accurate, I guess. Well, last year I was 131 lbs at 5 ft. 6 inches. 130 is really almost too low for me - my husband says I start looking "bird like" and too thin. Well, %bf was 27% and they recommended I lose 2-3 lbs. I was really pissed.
So, I just ignored it and continue to eat as clean as possible.
Don't fret - you sound like you are in great shape!
Heidi
I am going tomorrow to have my body fat tested. So I will post what I find out. I do not need to lose any weight I am 5'8' and weigh around 137. I have people who guessed my weight to be around 115 or 120. I have a good bit of muscle. I am eager to see what my bf will be. I think it will be done with calipers.
Jennifer
Jennifer
