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AIBU?

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Original poster

Aibu about my body fat %

37 replies

Onetimeonlyhoildays2026 · 13/04/2026 20:40

Went into boots today and used the weighing machine which also tells you body fat.
I was shocked to find out iam 28% fat

My bmi is 18.6 so apart from lose weight which would mean I'm underweight.

Saying thats isn't bmi crap anyway?
My waist to height ratio is 0.38 which seems ok.

How can I lower my body fat?

OP posts:
SpaceRaccoon · 13/04/2026 21:24

pandora206 · 13/04/2026 21:16

Have a look at Jeff Nippard's video on Youtube 'What every body fat % actually looks like' to see that 30% is on the leaner side of average for a woman.

Edited to add the Nippard states that at 30% a women is leaner than 90% US population.

Edited

That was an excellent video. Really informative.

cheesepasties · 13/04/2026 21:19

I used to compete for GB in triathlon and my body fat was 27% at the time and I was super fit! It’s fine, it sounds a lot (how can a third of you be fat?!) but actually it’s fine. Mine is now 22 % but I am very lean and train a lot and don’t eat anything unhealthy, ever.

pandora206 · 13/04/2026 21:16

Have a look at Jeff Nippard's video on Youtube 'What every body fat % actually looks like' to see that 30% is on the leaner side of average for a woman.

Edited to add the Nippard states that at 30% a women is leaner than 90% US population.

PiffleWiffleWoozle · 13/04/2026 21:15

So for example eating a good percentage of protein, lifting weights.

RoseField1 · 13/04/2026 21:14

Onetimeonlyhoildays2026 · 13/04/2026 21:11

It seems high. Almost 30% of me is fat that can't be normal I've always thought i was skinny fat if that makes sense.

I've been trying to join a gym but not quite brave enough yet but hopefully when I do it would help.

You could work on building more muscle. Then your body fat % would be lower. You'd have to eat more and be ok with your weight going up slightly though.

PiffleWiffleWoozle · 13/04/2026 21:14

It’s a healthy range (am assuming you are female?). If anything in your shoes I would look to build more muscle to change the % that way.

SpaceRaccoon · 13/04/2026 21:13

You're in normal female range.

Zapx · 13/04/2026 21:12

It can be really skewed by boob size btw

Original poster
Onetimeonlyhoildays2026 · 13/04/2026 21:11

It seems high. Almost 30% of me is fat that can't be normal I've always thought i was skinny fat if that makes sense.

I've been trying to join a gym but not quite brave enough yet but hopefully when I do it would help.

OP posts:
curlyfriess · 13/04/2026 21:05

28% is regarded as fit/athletic according to Google. Did you think you should not have any fat if you're slim?

WheretheFishesareFrightening · 13/04/2026 21:03

18-28% body fat puts you in the fit and athletic category. What exactly are you aiming for!?

TalulahJP · 13/04/2026 20:59

you dont need to lower your body fat as it’s within range.
why did you think you needed to?

you could work on building muscle and eating healthily. just make sure you eat enough to support any exercise as your bmi is the lowest it can be in a healthy adult.

do you have an eating disorder, as you need to address that before you start exercising or you risk losing weight, which could be dangerous.