Why do I even try?

[LaBelleRebelle]

Okay, today I had a DEXA scan done to determine my body fate percentage (part of a nutritional research study, so it was free.) So after several months of exercise using heavy weights, I have lost 40 lbs, and my body fat now measures...

...27.4%. $%#@&*! I have worked so hard and this is not what I wanted to hear! My body fat was 30% 40 lbs ago! I am 5'5 1/2" and 135 lbs, and wear a size 6. I have very muscular arms, and the nutritionist who examined the results said out of 300 women, I've had the most muscle mass (especially in the legs.) My limbs are 31%-33% fat, and my torso is 22% fat. (My head measure 18% fat, which she said was a bit low ). But it just doesn't make sense to me, especially since my BMI is around 22.5. These measurements tell me that I'm almost obese!!

Mathematically, I figure that losing 10 lbs of fat will bring me down to my goal of 20%. Does this sound right (and how can I lose 10 lbs of fat in the next 2 months, which is my goal, also??)

On the plus side- she said my diet was exceptional and she congratulated me on living such a healthy lifestyle.

 

[honeybunch]

I'd go get a second opinion. Needless to say, I know EXACTLY how you feel.

 

[suzannaerin]

Just a second here---you have accomplished A LOT. Don't worry about the results of a stupid test that might not even be accurate. You wear size 6? Your arms are muscular? You have a lot of muscle mass? That all sounds positive!!!! You and I have the same body stats---same height and weight. I think I look fine, and I bet you do as well
Don't be so hard on yourself. Let's face it: you are in better shape than the average American woman. Be proud of yourself and don't worry about it. Focus on your strong body and the fact that you care enough about yourself to exercise. You are healthy and that is all that matters! Suzanne

 

[Gettingfit]

Ok, I'm very confused by this! You're 5'5 1/2" and weigh 135lbs. This test tells you that you have some ridiculously obscene percentage of body fat? You are at your heights low "ideal weight." How can that number be right? I don't get it! I would go by the mirror & my clothing size & disregard that test! I know it's a blow to the ego to hear that number. We get so hung up on statistics & stuff.

It sounds to me like you are in fabulous shape! Keep up the good work.

GettingFit!

 

[LaBelleRebelle]

Those dexa scans are very accurate. They put me in this MRI-type machine and take low-dose xrays. Very little room for human error.

 

[HollyCat]

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Dec-14-01 AT 01:07PM (Est)[/font][p]Belle Rebelle,

That test doesn't sound right. I know it is supposedly very accurate, but that still just doesn't seem right. Even if it is, I've seen a picture of you and one of your children that you posted on the Firm website (I started a thread a couple of months ago about posting pictures of ourselves), and you look beautiful and fit! I think that stupid test must be wrong.

Just my $.02 cents.

Holly

 

[gvaughn]

Never again

LaBelle,

Between your story and that of Honeybunch's, and my own weird experience, I've pretty much decided never to have a body fat percentage test done again. The mirror tells a much prettier story! ;-)

http://www.plauder-smilies.de/pyth.gif Gretchen

 

[LaBelleRebelle]

RE: Never again

There's isn't a part of me that doesn't jiggle like Jell-O when I walk. 'Nuff said.

(I'm gonna do PS Strong Legs & Abs tonite when I get home. I was thinking about rotating the series with running for a few weeks, and see how I do.)

 

[khuynh]

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Dec-16-01 AT 03:28PM (Est)[/font][p]Hey sweetheart:

You know I was really thinking hard about your story and you know what? Those numbers really aren't that bad. What makes them bad is that someone somewhere set this standard that said, "Ok . . . ladies . . . in order for you to be 'thin' you need to be at this number." That's just bunk. Women are supposed to be fattier than men. We have babies and our bodies are designed to stay alive. So, even our muscle tissue is filled with fatty tissue. That's what makes us round and attractive.

Also remember that that is just one measure. I was thinking about this this weekend. As you know, my husband is having some heart stuff going on. So what he is doing is looking for that one thing that will change the damage that has been done so he can still eat the way he wants and not exercise. The key is that there is not one thing that will do that. He's so bad that he's drinking artichoke water because he had heard that would help him out. Can you say YUCK!

My point is that there is not one way to do anything in this life. That especially goes for weight loss, muscle mass building, etc. There just isn't one "bible" way of doing it. It takes a multitude of things to do that. Those test results are accurate but they are only one part of the puzzle. You body composition is designed that way and it's reporting it. No more. You've worked hard, you weigh 135, you don't jiggle, you wear a size 6, you have a healthy diet that you've been complimented on (by a professional, I might add), and you have a 27.4% body fat percentage. All of those things put together mean that you are healthy, lean, mean, curvy, and good looking. Look at the whole picture. Not just on piece of that puzzle. You're not doing yourself justice, so stop it.

Ah LaBelleRebelle, I wish I had your numbers. I'm a size 12 - 14 and everywhere I look, I'm constantly told that I am obese. But my doctor will slap me upside my head if I even try to feel sorry for myself . . . because I'm not obese. And if I'm not obese, I can tell you darlin' that you are far from that. ;-)

Just my thoughts.

Keta.

[link:mykbtforum.efree2net.com/|KBT Forum]

 

[Bobbi]

You are 5' 5" and a half, 135 and a size six! Don't let a stupid number ruin your self-confidence! You are a fit woman! You are a lean, mean Catheite who hangs out on this website! You rock, woman. Pooh on that silly number!