Low Body Fat - What Say You?

sparrow13

sparrow13

Cathlete
I'm moderately concerned about my BF % and I'm hoping folks might give me their thoughts.

OK, in March I decided to lean out for the summer. I am 5 ft and change and then was between 120 and 125. In the last two months I've dropped to between 111-1114. I am happy with the way I look and feel good. I feel like I eat plenty, and my diet is really clean without being so strict that it sucks the joy out of life.

Earlier this week I was chatting with the trainer/manager at my gym and mentioned that I was curious about my BF % because I had no idea. He said "I'm pretty good at this (he's been a trainer for ages) and I would guess you aren't more than 12-13 %." I internally rolled my eyes because I didn't think for a second I was that low. But afterwards he tested me and it came back at 12.5 percent.

Is that *really* low for a woman? Keep in mind that I am small in general. I feel good but am concerned that that is unhealthy. What do you guys think?

TIA!!
 
Sparrow,

I just have to say I would love to be at 12.5% BF and absolutely admire your dedication to get there! That said while 12.5% is on the lower side, it is by no means extreme or too low. I think too low for a woman is when you hit the single digits. HTH!
 
Geez, I was ecstatic when my omron was reading between 18-19% and here you are at 12.5%. You rock! :D

I think if you look good/healthy, feel good/healthy and eat enough carbs/fat then you are probably fine and maybe just naturally prone to having a lower body fat %.

My norm for BF% over the past few years seems to be around 20%. I only dropped to between 18 and 19% when I was doing P90X and being SUPER DUPER strict with my diet. I don't know if I could ever be that strict again and once I stopped being that strict, my BF% went back up so it's probably not worth it for me to even try. My body is obviously happier with a slightly higher BF % so I am working to accept that. ;)
 
Thanks ladies! I feel better. I had googled some stuff that basically freaked me out. :D

The thing that's really odd is that it hasn't been that hard and so I can't really take credit for my dedication. I say I eat clean but for me that includes 2 peanut butter cups a day, butter on my english muffin, agave in my coffee. Everything is organic and not full of HFCS or transfat but the regular fat is certainly still there. I really just attribute it to yes, the eating, but also this rotation I'm doing of P90x/circuits/kickboxing/running. For whatever reason that combo seems to be turning my body into a calorie-burning furnace!

Thanks again!
 
sparrow13 said:
Thanks ladies! I feel better. I had googled some stuff that basically freaked me out. :D

The thing that's really odd is that it hasn't been that hard and so I can't really take credit for my dedication. I say I eat clean but for me that includes 2 peanut butter cups a day, butter on my english muffin, agave in my coffee. Everything is organic and not full of HFCS or transfat but the regular fat is certainly still there. I really just attribute it to yes, the eating, but also this rotation I'm doing of P90x/circuits/kickboxing/running. For whatever reason that combo seems to be turning my body into a calorie-burning furnace!

Thanks again!
Click to expand...

Okay, Now I just hate you! :p:p:p:D:D:D:D
 
It is very low, & it doesn't sound quite right. I'm 5'3", & when I weighed 112-115 my BF was measured at 15%. 11% is the magic number--you're not supposed to go below that.
 
Linda, LOL!

Laura, 15-17 percent is what I would have guessed for myself. Heck I would have been fine with 19 or 20 because I'm happy with the way I look. Maybe I should post in Ask Cathe. My goal is to be fit, not skinny!
 
I am 5'4" and weigh 130 pounds and my bf is 17%. We are all made up differently, so I don't think that we can go by weight and height alone. JMO!! :)

And I don't think that 12.5% is too low!! Good for you!!!! I wouldn't go any lower though!!!
:)
 
That does sound low, but I'm certainly no expert. How did he measure you?

I am 5'7" and weigh about 115 lbs. That's the high side. I struggle sometimes to not drop below that weight. I feel great and don't look too thin either. I'm very curious what my BF is, but have no idea!

You sound like you are in fabulous shape! Good for you!
 
Well I hate you, too! :p :p :p :D

All kidding aside, I think that's great! If you want a true measurement of your body fat you should see if anyone in your area can weigh you hydrostatically. Or maybe you can get a DEXA scan. That would give you a more complete picture of your body composition.

ETA you are doing GREAT, and frankly I'm really thrilled for you!
 
It's lower than usual, but I don't think it's too low. Unless you are experiencing medical issues such as a discontinuation of your menstrual cycle, you should be fine. I, too, think that it's only too low when women get below 10%

12.5% is terrific! I was happy when mine was below 20% way back when in the 80s! I don't think I've even gotten below 30% right now! That's why I'm hitting the weights hard now to build up muscle and get that burn going so I can get that BF down, down, down!

Tricia
 
My dr. told me that below 8% can get into the dangerous area for women, so you should be fine at 12.5. I've been around 11-12 for years, I'm 5'7'', 110 lbs., and perfectly fine and healthy!
 
Yes it is low. But it also depends on your age. The percrentile changes based on age. For example I have 15% bf and I am in the 95th percentile. I am 42 years old. 5'4" 112lbs.
 
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