Let’s Talk Numbers
I took my body fat reading yesterday and the average came out to 17.4%. This means I’ve lost about 1% of body fat! According to this chart from Wikipedia (which is cited as from the American Council on Exercise):
| Description | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Essential fat | 12–15% | 2–5% |
| Athletes | 16–20% | 6–13% |
| Fitness | 21–24% | 14–17% |
| Acceptable | 25–31% | 18–25% |
| Obese | 32%+ | 25%+ |
I am in the “Athletes” range. Also, further research shows that two people can be at the same fitness level/body type, but have different body fat percentages based on race. Asians (such as me) will have a higher reading because Asian bones are different. Blacks will have a lower reading because their bones are denser. Caucasians fall in the middle. So therefore a Black, Caucasian, and Asian person with respective body fat percentages of 12%, 15%, and 18% may actually be at the same fitness level.
This chart shows that as an Asian female, I am well below the healthy/normal percentage:
Range of Percent Body Fat in Different People
(Percent body fat found through the method of underwater immersion testing)
 |
Men |
Women |
| Fattest Covert has tested | 55% | 68% |
| Average American | 22% | 32% |
| Healthy normal*: | ||
| African-American | 12% | 19% |
| Asian | 18% | 25% |
| Caucasian | 15% | 22% |
| Top Athletes | 3-12% | 10-18% |
| Leanest Covert has tested | 1% | 6% |
Though they don’t break Asians down further into different ranges, I probably fall into the “Top Athletes” range here also.
But numbers can be deceptive. Sight unseen, you would think that with 25% being considered “Healthy Normal” for an Asian female, and 10 - 18% being in the “Athletic” range, I would turn out to be a very fit person at 17.4%. That is not the case.
Yesterday, at the gym I spent a few minutes alone in the spinning room. The walls in the room are just gigantic mirrors, and while pedaling away, I couldn’t help noticing my profile. There I was, sitting on the bike, with strong legs, good looking shoulders and arms, yet down at my waist was a bump jutting out over my sweatpants. How aggravating! The past couple years of drinking and eating have really taken a toll on my waistline. The most frustrating part is that if I want to change, it’s at least 80% diet. I get a lot of exercise. I’m strong. Heck, I’m athletic. But unless I change what and how I eat, I’m never gonna lose this belly.
