How much is too much

Newport81 · 03-11-2010 12:56pm #1

I went on one of those fancy weighing scales the other day and was told I have five stone of fat in my body now I know am overweight but was just wondering how much fat do u need too have in your body? Think it said I had two stone of water as well?

Blatter · 03-11-2010 2:21pm

It depends on your height, age, gender etc.

Those body fat scales are notoriously inaccurate at the best of times..

Get a body fat callipers and measure your bf%.

Say if its 25% and you weigh 200 pounds, you'll be carrying 50Ibs or 3.5 stone of fat.

I think the healthy range of body fat bf% for a male is around 8-19% for ages between 18-39, and 11-21% those ages 40-59 and 13-24% those aged 60+.

That is just a general guide.

Newport81 · 03-11-2010 2:33pm

It's says bfat is 30.2! 6 ft m 16 stone

Blatter · 03-11-2010 2:42pm

That figure is probaby about right but it is impossible to say for sure without using the body fat scales.

If that figure is right, you would need to lose 10-12% bf to be at a healthy weight. That would be 23-27 pounds of fat which is just under 2 stone.

Newport81 · 03-11-2010 10:48pm

Nice one bud thanks

Lantus · 04-11-2010 9:02am

The 'fancy scales' use an electric current to measure BF% and can be affected by a number of factors including how hydrated you are which can vary a lot so are in their nature less reliable.

Body fat calipers that take a skin fold test are the best measure of BF% and surprisingly accurate (subject to correct use of course.)

As for whats a normal BF% it all depends. For a male very lean (full 6 pack) is typically less than 12%, lean is around 13 to 15%, average is upto 20% and above average past that, there are lots of subdivisions and better guidance, thats just very rough.

If your trying to lose fat remeber that it's not the same as losing 'weight'

You should aim to maintain or build your muscle (lean tissue) while trying to shed fat.

How much is too much

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