Um, help? Please?

[mia mia]

I am a relatively tall girl...okay so I'm pretty damn tall. I'm 5'11" without shoes. And I weigh around 145, so I'm fairly thin. My body fat percentage was around 18% last time I checked...is all of that normal?? And would it be totally unhealthy to aim for a lower body fat percentage?? I don't know if age is a factor either, but I'm 19. HEEEELLLP!! I wanna be thin & toned but HEALTHY too

 

[Arnold]

I think it would be healthy for you to get leaner as long as you do it properly. Not sure what the exact percent would be for you, maybe around 14%.

Just be aware that the bf% measurements are not very accurate, so you could be higher or lower. My point is, do not focus too much on that exact %, use the measurements as a tool to see progress.

 

[Rissole]

Might be a good idea for you to see a personal trainer. I got a programme and nutrion from an aussie champ which has set me on the right path. That with common sense a truck load of help from these guys and girls you cant fail. Spend heaps reading through these forums theres heaps of info and dont be afraid to ask dumb arse questions hell knows i have ! but all to my benefit!! Hard work and determination WILL pay off

 

[Tank316]

mia,mia... stick around here we'll help ya too.welcome aboard..

 

[craig777]

I am not sure what the women fitness competitors get down to, but my opinion would be not to worry so much about bf% and just to use the mirror. If you eat right and workout with a weight program and do some cardio it really won't matter what the bf% number is. Now if your goal is to compete, I don't know what the women get down to.

I agree with Tank316, there are a lot of people here that can give some great advice on eating and working out. Keep at it.

 

[mia mia]

I'm not aiming at competing, just looking good And with the personal trainer thing, I got really lucky in that department seeing as my fiancee is studying to become a personal trainer & eventually to own his own gym He tells me everything I know about lifting & losing fat & gaining muscle. Thank you for all the help though, yall are awesom!! This site is so a keeper.

 

[elvn]

Having a healthy rel. low BF is fine but a female cannot realistically sustain anything below 10% and expect to menstruate properly. This can set you up osteoporosis in the long run and possibly a severe eating disorder. Just be careful and remember that unless you are genetically gifted, being female means you willtend to store more bodyfat in placess you may not likeThis doesn't mean you shouldn't work out and keep your body fit, it just means do your best and love what comes out of it.

 

[Arnold]

April 1 I have a good article that will be up on measuring body fat.