FatGirlJenny's Journal, 21 January 2016

I want to eventually work down to 145-150 but I'm setting smaller goals like 270 to feel a little more accomplished each time I lose more :) 

Jenny, who said you could use my picture for the 15-17% body fat image? ROFL! Ultimately, I'm aiming to get back to the 25-30% range. Yeah, those were glory days. 

I agree, Queen! Great goals! @Scalewatcher...😂 I'm so sorry! LOL I really don't think my skin would hold that low of a percentage at my age, and former obesity anyway. Just being realistic. Glory days are coming back for all of, my friend! 😉 

IF I even thought I could get down to 10% you bet your sweet bippy I would! However, at 57 you and I both know that is never going to happen, especially since my husband is an enabler.  

I'll take a number 3, please. 

Women: 10-14% BodyBuilder, 15-17% Fitness Competitor, 18-20% Bikini Model. So while you may want that Bikini Body, you also have to take into account age, and how you naturally store more fat as you get older. I'll post the link but it will probably be cut short: accufitness.com/images/pdf/accufitness-accumeasure-bodyfatchart.pdf . The chart will show you how it becomes more difficult to lose that body fat as you age. 

I agree, 25% and 30% look switched. I'm currently floating at 25-26%, but I want to get at a nice 20-23%. I'm just tired of my thighs overly rubbing and my stomach pudge and muffin top going on. I think if I hit that goal, it'll really boost my self confidence. 

When I was 214 lbs. I was at 35% body fat and I was gross - a blubbery 5'5" whale - and would have been an embarrassment in a bikini. And yes, I'm very curvy - a size C/D cup, depending on the brand of bra - with junk in my trunk. When I lost 80 pounds, things tightened up and my waist shrunk to make a great hourglass. If you're short, you have to work extra hard to look presentable for the public eye.  

Great goals, everyone! We can and WILL reach then! Thanks for the read, mahjohn! @SSS, are you positive you only had 35% body fat at 214lbs?? That would mean that you had 139lbs of LBM (that's bodybuilding status), and you weigh 6.2 lbs less than that now?? Average lean body mass for a woman is 98lbs. I have 109lbs of LBM. I personally am not worried about the public eye, only mine. 

Agreed about your own eye. I'm at 30% right now and I don't feel comfortable (or look nearly as good as that woman in the photo!) but I would never presume that anyone else would be uncomfortable at that body fat %. And I'm at 140 lbs LBM, but I'm also 5'11 and strength train daily. 

my goal is to get down to 130. i want to be active with my kids and healthy. so far im off to a good start 

Here's a great site for you ladies to review: mybodygallery.com It allows you to look for pictures of women at a specific body type, height and weight. I always hear women say things like "i'd look like a stick at 160lbs", this coming from a woman who is 5'9".  

Agree 100%, noteline! We are often the harder on ourselves than anyone else , noteaine, we most of the time. Wow! That's an awesome amount of muscle mass!  

I think I love you, mahjohn!!!! Thank you! 

@FGJ: Calipers tell the true story. You have to factor in height, as the length of your bones and muscles certainly add weight. I'm at 21% now, and look like the 15-17% model in your photo gallery above, but that's because all my bodyfat is in my chest & booty. My percentages are coming from my trainer and my doctor. 

Going by my experience the past 2.5 yrs, it really depends on where fat is stored on each individual as to how they look. When I started working out I was at 27% bodyfat. I have managed to get down to 11% bodyfat, but I believe it is so low b/c there are areas where I have a very low percentage of fat, mainly my legs and upper arm. I was hoping that at 11% I would have visible abs, but it has just not been the case. I look nothing like the 11% in the photo. More around the 20-22% with my stomach area looking more like 30%. Most of my remaining fat is now in my midsection and hip area. 

There are many ways to measure Body Fat, i'll list them with pro's and con's. 1. Bathroom Scales $$$ - Easy to use, poor accuracy, even an attached handheld unit, variance of 5-7%. Hand Held Unit $$ - Easy to use, accuracy varies. If you're over 40% it will read low...if you're an Athlete at 10% Men, 20% women, it will read high. Calipers $ - Easy/Hard to use. For Men, our primary fat storage is abdomen, one position measurement will produce 1-2% accuracy based on the user and positioning. For Women, it's a 3 position test, Thighs, Abs,, Triceps, and requires help, again..results vary based on the person testing. DEXA Scan $$$$ - The Gold Standard, highly accurate but expensive, $75 - $150 for a one time scan. 

@SSS...Yea, I know. That's great! I'd live to see your before/after. They must be really awesome! @mahjohn, thanks again! Here's another pretty cool little site just for kicks. http://modelmydiet.com/women.html 

*love  

nice virtual site.....