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Original poster

Skinny fat?!

82 replies

KatzBiscuits · 01/10/2023 16:59

I weighed myself yesterday on one of those fancy machines where they also measure body fat percentages, and well, I'm stumped by the results! Apparently I have body fat of 42% which puts me into the obese range, yet my weight falls within the "healthy" bmi range for my height. This led me down the garden path of Dr Google and there seems to be such a thing as ' skinny fat ' where you present visually as an average sized person but internally I'm harbouring masses amounts of fat. What is this?! How did it happen?! Can anyone shed any light? Thanks!

OP posts:
Original poster
KatzBiscuits · 05/10/2023 13:11

Oh, I forgot to add - the bhf also have some worksheets for the bands. Again, probably too basic for you but they are a starting point at least!

OP posts:
Bubbles254 · 05/10/2023 21:21

I would go by these pictures rather than the scales, my scales under estimate my fat % by about 7%.
https://www.builtlean.com/body-fat-percentage-men-women/

Taking measurements and using the army calculator is also good for recording progress
https://www.omnicalculator.com/health/army-body-fat

At 5'4" and 49kg using the army calculator and looking at these pictures I estimate my body fat at 22%, my scales put it at 15%!

Due to osteopenia I have been trying to gain muscle for a couple of months with strength training. Mainly Caroline Girvan iron series. In 2 months I have seen a little progress do don't give up, just try to find something you enjoy and will stick with and you will get results with time.

Body Fat Photos Men & Women

Body Fat Percentage Photos of Men & Women - BuiltLean

These Body Fat Percentage Photos of Men & Women will allow you to better understand your own body fat percentage.

https://www.builtlean.com/body-fat-percentage-men-women

greenhydrangea · 05/10/2023 22:41

Those pictures are irrelevant when it comes to "skinny fat" which refers to visceral fat wrapped around and infiltrating organs, aka hidden fat, and not subcutaneous fat, which is what those pictures display.

Visceral fat is largely down to unhealthy diet. You can eat within your calories but eat too much of the wrong sort of thing, and have visceral fat without knowing it, until the repercussions emerge in midlife.

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Weight management
Original poster
KatzBiscuits · 05/10/2023 23:33

greenhydrangea · 05/10/2023 22:41

Those pictures are irrelevant when it comes to "skinny fat" which refers to visceral fat wrapped around and infiltrating organs, aka hidden fat, and not subcutaneous fat, which is what those pictures display.

Visceral fat is largely down to unhealthy diet. You can eat within your calories but eat too much of the wrong sort of thing, and have visceral fat without knowing it, until the repercussions emerge in midlife.

This makes sense. I have to admit I can't really identify with the pictures above, as unless I have the reverse of body dysmorphia(!) I can't visually match my appearance with them. I fear you're right. My fat is ' hidden ' and the dangerous type. I'm by no means ' skinny' in appearance ; I have large thighs and wobbly arms for instance, but I'm not anywhere as flabby as the pictures above would imply I look at 42% body fat.

OP posts:
Autumnunmasks · 05/10/2023 23:35

partypant · 04/10/2023 12:16

This woman is a very established content creator so I'm accepting her stats as fact. I've seen many people show this sort of thing and I know myself to a lesser degree that this is true. The middle photo she is skinny fat. As she builds muscle she regains a lot of weight but clearly it's not fat

Can I ask who she is please? Looks great after shaping up!

Hop27 · 06/10/2023 04:23

@KatzBiscuits
You've done the hardest thing which is starting! It is however very hard to build muscle and drop fat if your nutrition isn't on point. The 2kg resistance bands will do 0, you need to lift as heavy as you possibly can (safely of course), you'd be best starting with body weight exercises, starting at a regression and building up.

Read this article, some really good points.

tropeaka.com.au/blogs/the-latest/8-tips-to-build-muscle-and-lose-fat

Out of interest what time of day did you scan? The numbers skew hugely at different points in the day ..... HUGE!!!

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