Weight Loss Question - Fat %

[VTRoadie]

So lets say I have lost a bunch of weight (267->226) and am looking at my goals realistically. I am a little over 6'1" (ie, 6'1.25"), and a fairly muscular build, but still chubby. If based on a scale that calculates percent of body fat, I assume that I have ~18% bodyfat (which I dont know right now, I thought it was about that much when I was ~267 lbs.. but the scale might have been off?). then I have 40lbs of fat right now. Lets say I shoot for 10% fat, that leaves me with 18lbs of fat lost, putting my weight at 208. Looking purely at BMI for a 6.1 person, I need to be 189 to be on the edge of 'Normal Weight'.

Can someone explain how this is possible? How can I be 10% fat (which Wikipedia says is 'athlete level'), but still be obese based on BMI scales? I have had this long standing view that I am overweight (which I definately was at 265lbs), but now I am wondering realistically how far I can take it.

[morea]

unfortunately, BMI doesn't take muscle mass into account; it tends to overestimate the amount of fat in athletic people.

If I remember right, you are better off calculating your fat % with a caliper test than using BMI. Sorry that I can't be more helpful - maybe somebody else has some experience with this.

[VTRoadie]

This isn't a great picture to make a weight/muscle examination from... but this is me currently (orange shirt, right hand side): http://flickr.com/photos/sirstan/1021903709/

I would say I currently look like this: (the left) and want to look like the right side:
http://flickr.com/photos/papernapkin/300412234/in/set-72157594542743636/

Tx!

[morea]

From what I have read online (for whatever that is worth!) it can be very tricky and expensive to get an accurate reading on the whole fat/muscle ratio.

Personally I wouldn't worry too much about the actual number - keep cycling because it's good for you and it makes you feel good, and throw the numbers out the window. There's no magic number, and every body's different. Don't overdo it, and don't try to force your body down to 10% - the American Council on Exercise lists the following:

http://i13.tinypic.com/6g9wgg7.jpg


Here's an article on different ways of calculating body fat percentage:
http://www.sport-fitness-advisor.com/calculatebodyfat.html

[NomadVW]

This isn't a great picture to make a weight/muscle examination from... but this is me currently (orange shirt, right hand side): http://flickr.com/photos/sirstan/1021903709/

I would say I currently look like this: (the left) and want to look like the right side:
http://flickr.com/photos/papernapkin/300412234/in/set-72157594542743636/

Tx!

I think you'd be surprised at your BF % if gotten correctly. @ 6' 1", 226 - you don't "look" like 18%, I'd guess a tad more (21-22ish). Of course, it's a t-shirt and a hard photo to tell from so that complicates things. You certainly look more fit than some of the Marines I know, so it's not like you look heavy. And congrats on all the weight you've lost already!

You can get good estimates if you go to a reputable gym with good personal trainers that will use calipers. Try to use the same trainer every time for consistency in measurements, but at the end of the day

Otherwise, dunk tank is one of the best ways to go.

[Enthalpic]

The guy on the left is certainly not 18% fat. I would guess closer to 23.

[Enthalpic]

So lets say I have lost a bunch of weight (267->226) and am looking at my goals realistically. I am a little over 6'1" (ie, 6'1.25"), and a fairly muscular build, but still chubby. If based on a scale that calculates percent of body fat, I assume that I have ~18% bodyfat (which I dont know right now, I thought it was about that much when I was ~267 lbs.. but the scale might have been off?). then I have 40lbs of fat right now. Lets say I shoot for 10% fat, that leaves me with 18lbs of fat lost, putting my weight at 208. Looking purely at BMI for a 6.1 person, I need to be 189 to be on the edge of 'Normal Weight'.

Can someone explain how this is possible? How can I be 10% fat (which Wikipedia says is 'athlete level'), but still be obese based on BMI scales? I have had this long standing view that I am overweight (which I definately was at 265lbs), but now I am wondering realistically how far I can take it.

When you lose weight you don't just lose fat. So if you lost 18lbs you would not be at 10% BF, not even close. To lose 18lbs of fat you would have to lose much more weight than that, leaving you a lot closer to the bmi approximations than you might think.

[NomadVW]

As reference to Enthalpic's answer, I'm 6'2" and was calipered @ 7% even body fat at 166 lbs.

[ericgu]

So lets say I have lost a bunch of weight (267->226) and am looking at my goals realistically. I am a little over 6'1" (ie, 6'1.25"), and a fairly muscular build, but still chubby. If based on a scale that calculates percent of body fat, I assume that I have ~18% bodyfat (which I dont know right now, I thought it was about that much when I was ~267 lbs.. but the scale might have been off?). then I have 40lbs of fat right now. Lets say I shoot for 10% fat, that leaves me with 18lbs of fat lost, putting my weight at 208. Looking purely at BMI for a 6.1 person, I need to be 189 to be on the edge of 'Normal Weight'.

Can someone explain how this is possible? How can I be 10% fat (which Wikipedia says is 'athlete level'), but still be obese based on BMI scales? I have had this long standing view that I am overweight (which I definately was at 265lbs), but now I am wondering realistically how far I can take it.

I also doubt you are at 18%. The bodyfat scales aren't terribly accurate, and they depend a ton on how hydrated you are. If you are hydrated consistently, they are okay at determining the trend of your bodyfat.

[grebletie]

I also doubt you are at 18%. The bodyfat scales aren't terribly accurate, and they depend a ton on how hydrated you are. If you are hydrated consistently, they are okay at determining the trend of your bodyfat.

He speaks the truth. According to my scale, I'm at 5% body fat fully hydrated. Bit closer to 8-10% probably.