I know this question has been brought up before, but I still wondering about those electrical things you strap around your stomach and even thighs. I've seen the infomercials for awhile (which I guess should trigger my mind to thing - scam), however I would like to know if anyone has tried them? Don't get me wrong, I will do situps if I have to, but I was just curious...

Thanks,
Erin

Erin, you're right in trusting your gut instinct (couldnt resist the pun) S-c-a-m .

What you want are crunches of various types - there's an article by Dan about abs and one I posted called "Ab Bootcamp" with exercises and photos. And remember, abs are made in the kitchen - they are a function of % of body fat (generally below 15% for women and 10% for men). But doing the work now will ensure that when you do lose the fat covering them they will be ready for swim suit season

Nat

are you saying to really have visible abs, a woman has to be below 15% body fat...b/c I will never see that day. I'm not trying to put words in your mouth (ot in your thread...lol), but I am just trying to clarify.

Thanks,
Erin

Yes. Depending on genetics some can be visible a little higher, but not much. And of course depending on genetics some may have to be lower.

Nat

I mean my goal here hasn't been to have a six pack, but that's unhealthy right? I thought women weren't supposed to be that low. My goal is 17% and I think I may look gross there (I'll just have to see and find out). If this concept is unhealthy, than it makes me feel so much better about movie stars, etc. - I mean knew that most of them starved themsleves and had personal trainers out the butt, but I now when I see Britney with her carzy stomach, I know that she must be around 15% body fat...somewhere that is not where i want to be. I'm not obsessed with britney or anything, but see been on like every channel these days.

Nat one more question, ss it a weight or % bod fat that causes TOM to stop?
And do you think 15% too low for women?

Thanks for all the info,
Erin

Erin, it depends on WHY you want / need that percentage of body fat. For professional body builders 15% or lower is normal - and necessary. You must keep in mind that they don't always have this % - during the off season things change.

At 17% body fat you would not look gross - you don't look gross now! You need to go to www.bodychangers.com and take a look at what some of the women at 20% look like. You may be underestimating your % now if you think 17% wont make a difference for you. Having a low body weight doesnt mean that person has a low body fat - it just means they weigh less.

Starving yourself to a low body fat doesnt work - starvation = loss of muscle mass, muscle mass is what makes a lower % of body fat possible.

The average % of BF in the States for women right now is 28% - isnt that shocking? Normal/ healthy / desirable is between 22 - 26% depending on age.

For the average woman to get to 15% a lot of work and dedication is involved - it's tough and it's usually not something you sustain forever. For some it's just to be able to say "Look, I did it"

Menstruation can cease for many reasons; insufficient intake of calories, excessive exercise, and yes, body fat % - which can be all interconnected when you think about it. There seems to be a body fat threshold for the maintenance of normal cycles that is in the neighborhood of 18%. Amenorrhea may also result from psychogenic causes such as depression or chronic emotional stress.

I have a forumal here for calculating % of BF that is pretty accurate. I will hunt it down and post it for you.

Nat

From the clients I have trained, and the bodybuilders and fitness women that I know I can tell you this:

Women look fit and very good (read: feminine) at 17% to 20%. You can get outlines of your abs at that percentage, depending on how your body deposited fat to your frame.

For a woman to get "ripped" (six pack, very clear definition) you are looking at 13% and below.

Again, that is a very different thing for different people. Some can handle it and have no problems getting down to 10%.

They have the luxury of large amounts of disposable income, as well as the finest in body augmentation surgury.

It's no secret that Ms. Britney had her boobs done, and as well there are rumours of liposuction. No doubt that she works hard, and dancing burns alot of calories, but her shape changes way too much ... and she has too many "knee injuries" from dancing (a cover for her downtime from surgery).

Down time from surgery does sound fishy...lol. Well, the boobs have always been obvious to me...I mean when she moves, you can see 'em.

Nat, when I said gross, I meant like - I'm broad and my bones stick out all over the place - especially on my wrists and collar bone area. I am a "wider" person...I guess I wouldn't say curvy b/c my stomach never seems to get really little. I've kinda been judging my weight loss by the fat on my stomach. See, if I were to be 17%, I wouldn't be toned, etc so I think I would just look boney...

Thanks for the info...
Speaking of plastic surgery, I got FIRST today and there was an article about the Barbie chich that has had 27 surgeries to change he look...wow.

Erin

I don't agree, Erin. Resistance training doesn't make you the same Erin just leaner, it transforms you. I've lost weight before and just looked like a smaller version of the larger version - my body shape is changing now. Take a look at Beth's Journal (Bsayne), at Marlaine's, at Ruth's - they are noticing the same things.

Dan, nice observation - I will have to pay more attention to these things in the future; like playing "spot the recipient of liposuction" while browsing magazines.

Nat

Women can estimate their percent bodyfat using the following formula.

*** All measurements should be made in inches.

Step One: Multiply your weight times 0.732.

Step Two: Add 8.987 to this number. Save this number.

Step Three: Measure the circumference of your wrist at it's widest point, and divide it by 3.14. Save this number.

Step Four: Multiply your waist circumference times 0.157. Save this number.

Step Five: Multiply your hip circumference (measured at widest point ) by 0.249. Save this number

Step Six: Measure the circumference of your forearm at it's widest point, and multiply it times 0.434. Save this number.

Step Seven: Add the results of steps two and three. Save this number.

Step Eight: Subtract the result of step four from the result of step seven. Save this number.

Step Nine: Subtract the result of step five from the result of step eight. Save this number.

Step Ten: Add the result of step six to the result of step nine. This is your fat free body weight.

Step Eleven: Subtract your fat free body weight from your total body weight.

Step Twelve: Multiply the result of step eleven times 100.

Step Thirteen: Divide the result of step twelve by your total body weight. This is your bodyfat percent.

WARNING: please realize this is an estimate of your percent bodyfat based on your body surface area. Underwater weighing is the most accurate method for determining body composition

Nat

See, what I think I was trying to say, was that I'm not resistance training, so I think I would become a smaller version of myself...so I agree completely. Maybe I should look into more...and change the things I don't like (to a certain degree).

Thanks for the info - I''m going to do the numbers right now.
Erin

I got 23.88%; lean is 107.326. That CKD was almost right on it said - 22% and 109.

Alright, I'm blonde...you'll be able to tell after this...

so if my lean bod mass is 107.33...then 15% is 123.4 and 17% is 125.5...(which is what I've been aiming for...I thought 17% was 127) that's basically two lbs...not much at all. Maybe, it's not so unattainable. Since I already changed my goal once (133 to 127), I think I'll hit 100% and then work on 15%....lol.

Thanks for the info.
Erin

can you sticky that formula somewhere so that it's available to everyone ... I know I"ll want it later and will end up searching like mad to find it again.

Nat,

Is there a similar formula for men that you know of? I bought a Tanita BF-625 scale that supposedly shows your weight as well as your body fat percentage, using slight electric pulses through your feet. I'm not real sure I believe that it could be near accurate, and I would like to use a formula like you described as a comparison.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the Tanita scales? Has anyone "tested" them for accuracy? I've only had mine for a week, and I constantly get different readings that vary up to 5%. I know things like hydration levels, time of day, etc. have something to do with it, but I can't believe it would vary 5%.

http://tanitascale.com/home_scales/bf625.html