Burning More Fat

[Yeti]

Yeah man, you're not at 3%. That is a highly unaccurate way to measure BF%, especially when you're talking about trying to measure a percentage that low. 3% is only sustainable for a short period of time, and even then it takes a Matt Fraser-esque focus on your caloric intake vs. expenditure.

Tell me then, how do you measure it.

 

[CDG]

Tell me then, how do you measure it.

You can measure it that way, but it's got an accuracy of +/- 4% if someone who really knows what they're doing administers it. The measure of error goes up as the skill and experience of the measurer goes down. 3% is considered the bare minimum BF% to maintain reproductive functions and normal metabolic functions. Like I said already, it's not a percentage people just randomly get to.

 

[Yeti]

Yeah man, you're not at 3%. That is a highly unaccurate way to measure BF%, especially when you're talking about trying to measure a percentage that low. 3% is only sustainable for a short period of time, and even then it takes a Matt Fraser-esque focus on your caloric intake vs. expenditure.

You can measure it that way, but it's got an accuracy of +/- 4% if someone who really knows what they're doing administers it. The measure of error goes up as the skill and experience of the measurer goes down. 3% is considered the bare minimum BF% to maintain reproductive functions and normal metabolic functions. Like I said already, it's not a percentage people just randomly get to.

Well all I can say is the number that has been given to me. I have had the test taken periodically over the past two years. Started working out around 8%( again the number that was given to me) to where I am now.

 

[CrimsonWave]

Well I know At my base gym the HAWC has one of those bod pods you get into, that determine the most accurate Body Fat %. But the science behind the way those work can still yield to a pretty big window of margin of error...

 

[AWP]

You can measure it that way, but it's got an accuracy of +/- 4% if someone who really knows what they're doing administers it. The measure of error goes up as the skill and experience of the measurer goes down. 3% is considered the bare minimum BF% to maintain reproductive functions and normal metabolic functions. Like I said already, it's not a percentage people just randomly get to.

I'm not disagreeing with you as I know your background, but what other methods would you recommend?

 

[CDG]

I'm not disagreeing with you as I know your background, but what other methods would you recommend?

There's nothing wrong with using that method, I just wanted the poster to understand the percentage of error involved. Claiming 3% is akin to the poster we had awhile back claiming a 12 something minute 5K. That's the reason I wanted to find out more about where that number was coming from. Here's a link to the most common testing methods and a basic breakdown of the biases/problems within each one.

Which is the Most Accurate Body Fat Calculator / Measurement Method? | Exercise Biology

 

[Yeti]

@CDG I'm not disagreeing with you either. However the site you provided even stated that the skin calipers are "consistent" as long as you do it correctly and with the other test your results can change based on water intake.

 

[Ooh-Rah]

@Jacob Boyle - Half a dozen different sites with examples of body fat - I guess you'll have to ask yourself, do you really look like that?
I'd say to you that if you do, then there would not even be enough skin for a caliper to pinch!

 

[CDG]

@CDG I'm not disagreeing with you either. However the site you provided even stated that the skin calipers are "consistent" as long as you do it correctly and with the other test your results can change based on water intake.

Consistent is different from accuracy. Just because it consistently says one number doesn't mean that number is actually correct.

 

[Yeti]

@Ooh-Rah @CDG I stand corrected. I may be off by 3-4% , But what is the margin of error? When done professionally by a trainer.

 

[CDG]

@Ooh-Rah @CDG I stand corrected. I may be off by 3-4% , But what is the margin of error? When done professionally by a trainer.

There are way too many variables. The test carries an inherent level of inaccuracy. Factored with the knowledge, skill, and experience of the trainer, it becomes an unknowable number. "Professional trainer" can mean a lot of different things. I, personally, am very skeptical of a box gym trainer providing the most accurate measurement. At the end of the day, my point is that 3% is exceedingly rare and that BF% tests carry inherent inaccuracies and should be taken with a grain of salt.

 

[Yeti]

There are way too many variables. The test carries an inherent level of inaccuracy. Factored with the knowledge, skill, and experience of the trainer, it becomes an unknowable number. "Professional trainer" can mean a lot of different things. I, personally, am very skeptical of a box gym trainer providing the most accurate measurement. At the end of the day, my point is that 3% is exceedingly rare and that BF% tests carry inherent inaccuracies and should be taken with a grain of salt.

You did prove your point.

 

[Red Flag 1]

@Jacob Boyle - Half a dozen different sites with examples of body fat - I guess you'll have to ask yourself, do you really look like that?
I'd say to you that if you do, then there would not even be enough skin for a caliper to pinch!

View attachment 16164

 

[Yosemite]

Well all I can say is the number that has been given to me. I have had the test taken periodically over the past two years. Started working out around 8%( again the number that was given to me) to where I am now.

I wouldn't go around believing everything someone tells you. Just because that's the number someone gave you, doesn't mean it's true. Always do your own research regarding your own fitness because you will care about yourself more than anyone else. Trust but verify.

3% is very unhealthy and not sustainable. You would be irritated, groggy, and tired all the time because your hormones would be out of wack.
I would recommend finding a different place or even a few different places to test your BF%.

 

[Marine0311]

There are 7 calories for every gram of pure alcohol. This is quite a bit when compared to carbs and protein which have 4 calories per gram and fat with 9 calories per gram.
Alcohol such as beer or liquor also has a bunch of carbs in it as well. So add all that together and you're getting nearly 100 calories for every shot you take and about 170 calories for every beer you drink.
Say you have 2 shots and 2 beers, you're already pushing 600 calories. And most people eat when they drink so add a meal to that and you are well over 1000 calories. Do this often enough and it is a recipe for weight gain.

So say..eliminate beer for like 90 days?

 

[The Works]

Well that was a lot to read haha. Unfortunately I'm in the field right now for two more weeks, back home for a day and back out again... Will be like this until October so I'm guessing MREs aren't going to be my friend.

 

[Yosemite]

So say..eliminate bee for like 90 days?

You can. Ideally, the healthiest way is to eliminate beer indefinitely. But the way I handle it is if I'm drinking, then I don't eat a meal with it. I will just skip lunch or dinner for that day to even out my calories.

 

[Marine0311]

You can. Ideally, the healthiest way is to eliminate beer indefinitely. But the way I handle it is if I'm drinking, then I don't eat a meal with it. I will just skip lunch or dinner for that day to even out my calories.

I can see eliminating beer for the short term, yet you say forever?

 

[Yosemite]

I can see eliminating beer for the short term, yet you say forever?

That's just a suggestion. I would personally never eliminate beer in the long run.

 

[Marine0311]

That's just a suggestion. I would personally never eliminate beer in the long run.

What about cutting sugar?