Anyone got down to 18% body fat after DC

[fitmum4]

I'm currently trying to get down to 18% body fat from approx 24%. Anyone else managed it? Not sure how achievable it is after 4 kids (youngest only 1).

18% is a pretty tough target regardless unless you’re kinda built that way.
not sure I’ll ever see 18% again after just one child! I’m sure it can be done but will it be worth it?

How would you calculate your percentage of body fat?

I'm a size 10 after 6dc.

I would think very very few women will be 18% bodyfat, that will count as an athlete level of bodyfat. A normal, fit, woman will be more like 20-25%.

Are you looking to do body competitions?

@Lioney I do it with callipers - think that's the most accurate way to do it at home.

@Bluesheeps were you once 18%? I'v been lower than I have now but never measured myself. I was definitely happier when I had less body fat.

@Nunganungas no I don't want to do competitions. Personal satisfaction I suppose. Plus I always wonder how it feels to be that fit whilst on holiday etc, at the moment I often feel self conscious.

You need about 22% body fat to menstruate, which suggests to me that 18% isn’t healthy.

Seriously, if you are a mum of young children and you are obsessing over getting your body fat so low that it borders on unhealthy, then I think you need to speak to a professional before it affects your children a they grow up.

i have been 18% body fat for a very short time and tbh im not sure it was worth it haha
i liked how I looked but plenty of people said afterwards they thought I was too skinny. I think it’s easy to lose sight of what’s normal when you make such targets.
it required a great deal of life changes to get to that weight and maintain, at the end of the day it wasn’t worth it for me. I like my wine and cheese too much. There’s more to life than a skinny body.

@Mum1976Mum who said I'm obsessing. I'v been quietly tracking my calories in the background. My children don't see that, what they do see is me eating a balanced diet, including meals out and takeaways with them.

Measuring yourself with callipers does seem a tad obsessional.

How on Earth can you be arsed or even know this!! Fair enough observing that there a few bits that could be firmer. But actually using callipers is nuts

@Bluesheeps I don't like cheese and I don't drink so thankfully I don't have that hurdle to cross. Initially I thought 20% fat but when I was looking at pictures I kind of look like that now - I think because my stomach is flat. I hold most my fat on my thighs.

Quite….

@Mum1976Mum move along if you've nothing constructive to add.

@fitmum4 but you’re not going to be able to target fat loss at a specific part of the body.
I would take th 18% target out your head. Do you do strength training? That made a massive difference to my thighs.
18% body fat is almost a professional level. Please drop that target now. You’re probably being over critical of your body so be a bit kinda to yourself.
maybe start lifting weight and make a target to bench press a certain weight with time rather than focusing on your body fat

I have and tend to stay there usually:

I train Brazilian jui jitsu so compete and fight at a weight category - however I would take a % or a number out of your head.

When I weigh my lowest 14% I look awful, I have a great 6 pack but my face is tired looking etc.

Just focus on how you feel and how you want to look

This is my regime when I weigh my lowest

1800 cals a day
15000 steps
4 gym sessions a week
5 90 min bjj sessions a week

What's your height and weight and BMI? Do you have regular periods? Do you do 150 minutes of cardio a week and a couple of strength training sessions a week? Do you eat a good variety of fruit and veg? Do you smoke or drink? Do you get enough sleep? Put away the calipers and concentrate on being as healthy as you can, both mentally and physically.

@JaninaDuszejko why 150mins of cardio a week?
that’s very specific. I’d be interested to know where you got that figure from.

I prob do this amount; and I thought I was over doing it really.

How do calipers measure internal fat?

Or if you have lost a huge amount of weight and are left with folds of skin and flesh but obviously have lost a huge percentage of fat, how do the calipers work then

You can get specific scales that measure body fat I think? but absolutely no idea hoe they work or their accuracy.

I think if it’s important to you, then have it as a goal of course, but just be careful it doesn’t take over your life… my friend has become obsessed with being incredibly lean and it’s tiresome for everyone around her.

Op this is the most important reply.
I hope you've read it.

Please read this!

Why though?

@Ivegotsunshineinabag 150 minutes is from the NHS guidelines for physical activity for adults in a week, 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise (eg 30 mins 5 x per week) or 75 minutes a week of vigorous activity

I'm a fat bitch by MN standards so nothing constructive to add but I have a genuine question for @bjjgirl

I admire anyone who does a sport at a competitive level so absolutely well done to you.

But you posted the following:

"1800 cals a day
15000 steps
4 gym sessions a week
5 90 min bjj sessions a week"

Surely if you're doing that amount of exercise and training at your level, then you would need way more than 1800 cals daily to even exist?

I don't understand how women who do massive amounts of exercise and still undereat? I'm not saying you should binge mars bars but 1800 cals is a weight loss regime. Surely one of the many benefits of exercise is the ability to eat more?

Am I missing something?

Those cals are fine for me
To be fair, maintainance is more like
2000-2100, but I am good cutting at those cals.

I usually have around 2000 cals - which is more than enough, I do the sport because I love it and the comp
Weight is just preparation (I simply posted it because I wanted to
Show what my week at that body fat percentage would like like
Iyswim)