subject: Body Fat Percentage...No Need to Be Obsessed Over Your Number! [print this page] Copyright (c) 2010 Bryan CarltonThere are many ways to measure if you are reaching your goals. Knowing your body fat percentage is one of the best tools, but no need to get completely obsessed over it. What I mean by that, is that it is more important to see what you look like in a mirror vs. what your body fat percentage number is. You can take two people with the exact same body fat percentage and their muscle tone and physical appearance can look drastically different.Body Fat Percentage Should be Used As A Tool To Measure ProgressTo see if you are actually losing fat vs. muscle, you need to know what your starting point is. Measuring your body fat percentage and tracking it over time is what is important. I think it is a great idea to measure your body fat about twice a month, to see if your diet and exercise plan is effective at helping you get lean. I wouldn't worry about the absolute number, just worry about making progress until you "look" as lean as you want.So How Do You Find Out Your Body Fat Percentage?A site I like to use is called Body Tracker (http://www.linear-software.com/online.html). What is cool about this site is that there are six different ways to calculate body fat on this site for both men and women. The least effective way is the "Tape Measure Method"...but the other ways are actually quite accurate. I think the Parillo method is the most effective, but you would need some assistance with that. You can also order body fat calipers for under $20 on this site.What is A Good Goal To Shoot For?Again, I really think that you shouldn't be obsessed with an absolute number. You should lose body fat until you achieve the look you are after. For people who are curious about the number. The average man (not overweight) is between 15%-18% and for women 22%-25%. A super lean man would be anywhere around 5%-8% and a super lean woman would be 12%-15%. To achieve the Hollywood look men would probably want to be between 6%-12% and women would want to be 16%-22%. One more reminder...this is just a rough estimate since people do vary quite a bit.However, it is always important to remember that body weight is only one way to measure your fitness, it all comes down to you, and what you are happy with. If you like the look of having a small body percentage or having a slightly higher percentage. It all comes down to what you like.
Body Fat Percentage...No Need to Be Obsessed Over Your Number!
