body fat levels

[FigureSkater]

thanks for those figures^^^.....bloody depressing though!

Honestly, looking at pictures of some of the fitness competitors during competition season, and others taken during the off-season, I think they look so much better carrying a little bit more body fat. Much more feminine (and less tanning bed/self tanner orange)!

 

[RottenWillow]

And some other examples of bone face:

Jennifer Anniston...looked much cuter when her face had at least some flesh on it.
Katherine Zeta Jones...... recently got scarey skinny and now her face looks too angular and a bit haggard.


And for 99% of women anything much below 15% produces jutting collarbones, clearly visible ribs and stab-someone-to-death shoulders all of which I think only appeal to those of us with seriously distorted body image.

 

[FigureSkater]

And for 99% of women anything much below 15% produces jutting collarbones, clearly visible ribs and stab-someone-to-death shoulders all of which I think only appeal to those of us with seriously distorted body image.

Calista Flockhart...

I have a (male) friend with seriously distorted views of beauty (had eating disorders himself) who once told me that she would be gorgeous if she'd lose 15 lbs! Um, she only weights what, 20?

I think Davana Medina in the past 2 issues of Oxygen looks absolutely gorgeous. She's fit, but not hugely muscular or extremely cut right now...but she's the perfect combination of feminine and athletic.

 

[brunette]

true true, thanks guys for giving me a wake up call!

brings to mind, Courtney Cox and her gauntness.

 

[velvett]

Personally - 15-20%

I've been above and below and both were less than pleasurable.

Daisy already said it -

A "comfortable" BF level is going to vary from person to person. Even the same BF% will look different on every body. If you and I are both 20%, we will look different. This is going to be based on height, weight, muscle/fat distribution and body type.

I would try and not focus on numbers but focus on how you look and feel. (later on you can note the number at which you felt and looked best)
Also, try to take photos of yourself instead of looking at a mirror. For some reason a photograph gives you a better look at things than a real time reflection. (this goes for anything btw, not just a glimpse of yourself.)