Let's talk about REALISTIC bodyfat goals

[JJFigure]

I realize I never posted my bodyfat % - there's a reason; I don't really believe the % reading I'm getting. In case no one's noticed, I'm a very self-reliant person, so I wanted to do my bodyfat readings/measurements, etc. myself ("no one else to blame" type of mentality). I bought a digital caliper, and offseason, my bodyfat reading using this type of caliper ranges around 7%. Yeah, right. Considering the hardest of the hard fitness competitors come into contest at 8%, I pretty much assumed the calipers read fairly low - at least 3-4% low if not more. Right now, 2 weeks out from comp, they're giving me a 5% bodyfat reading. Again, yeah, right. I think I have reason to not trust this type of caliper.

So, I gave up on the bodyfat readings for the last comp and for this comp. I knew I couldn't lose upper body mass and stay balanced, so I'm using measurements to monitor my muscle loss. If my upper body measurements started to decrease, I was going to bump the kcals; luckily, that hasn't happened, I think mainly due to the amounts of protein I'm eating and the PL type lifting I'm doing.

Post-season, I'll keep my weight around 136 lbs., and I'll try not to complain too much about not putting on muscle very easily since I know that's too low a maintenance weight to really build muscle (see my "it's so hard to lose fat" argument in the first post). Normally I come into contest at 130, but this time I'm at 128 - again, pretty scary number for a 5'10 hard-core lifting woman.

Just curious, BrickGirl - did you measure your bodyfat %? Or did you give up on that approach too?

 

[BrickGirl]

gave up a long time ago, could careless once I started having veins go from the very low part of my abs up into my chest, I didn't think it really mattered

 

[JJFigure]

Exactly! Aren't those lower ab veins a trip? Almost feels like guitar strings when you run your fingers across them.

 

[makedah]

For the non-competitor though I think everyone has their own specific level of bodyfat they feel comfortable with which is achieved by a diet that is mostly clean but is not ultra-strict, and a weight training and cardio routine that fits your lifestyle/schedule.

I agree. I'm obese now (37% BF as of July) I want to be leaner - as best as I can imagine, what I would look like at "goal" would be around 22-25% BF. That's cool by me! I marvel at how strict some of the diets here are (even when not cutting). Your avatars are lovely, but I'm not willing to make the sacrifices to look the same way (assuming I could get there). I love food far too much!

 

[SteelWeaver]

Don't have much time this morning, but just wanted to say: excellent post JJ. Those women look really hot, but I just keep telling myself they just did a comp, or probably have some "aid" and I look hot right after a comp. too, so ... whatever.

My next goal is to cycle dieting and hypercaloric eating in order to get to a bf that's close enough to comp to mean only 12 - 16 weeks reasonable dieting, and somehow maintain that - I'm not interested in try to stay comp. lean - too hard. I want to relax now and then. I know I can be strict, so it's not such a big issue. If I need to come down a bit, snap, no prob.

Now you hang in there girl - I know it's tough - just 2 more weeks now - and you're gonna be great

 

[Nonerz]

Set realistic bodyfat goals, and don't set them as you're paging through a fitness magazine.

guilty

we need to learn to accept we're meant to have a certain amount of bodyfat and we need to learn to love our bodies and quit setting unrealistic goals.

umm...working on it...


Yes, I'm a self-professed Oxygen addict. I look forward to my monthly "fix" and actually can't wait to do cardio so I can rip through the pages and ingest as much information, inspiration, and motivation as possible. I am guilty, guilty, guilty of comparing myself to the girls in the magazine...who basically work out for a living!

And while I (honestly) hated to read your post JJ, I think it was meant for me! While I'm no "Oxygen Girl," I must admit that would be my ideal bodytype. So what's a girl to do? A girl's gotta have goals right? So what is REALISTIC anyway? Last time I was measured I was about 21% bf...which is...better than a year ago, but definitely not where I want to stay.

I think the magazines have their place...maybe I/we just need to keep things in perspective!

 

[rez]

when r u gona post some pics steel?

 

[JJFigure]

I think we're all guilty, Nonerz. What I'm having to do to achieve that level of leaness is just a little nuts, though. My Dad basically summed it up when he called this weekend - first words out of his mouth were "are you working out, or getting ready for bed?". LOL

Not to mention how many times during these diet cycles I've become frustrated enough to consider using AS - especially after I found out what some of the pros were taking. I like being natural though, so that solution is out. And luckily, each contest I come in leaner - it's just taking more trial and error and time than I ever anticipated.

 

[SteelWeaver]

when r u gona post some pics steel?

Hey rez. Pity you didn't come to the show - it was fun - very good atmosphere. My sister's visiting right now, so I'm kind of busy showing her around and still trying to fit in training. I'll probably put one or two up in a couple of weeks. There are actually pics up on the Gay Games web site - physique Day 1, Women's Open. I'm the tall, plump chick, lol. (Just kidding, I wasn't plump, just not lean enough, and I beat 2 other girls, so it's all good, and it was great fun )

Hey JJ - are you set on remaining natural ad infinitum? Is that a set thing, not requiring much thought, or is it something you periodically reconsider? Strangely, I found myself sort of idly wondering the other day if I'll ever do a cycle, and what it might feel like. Like maybe in about 10 years, lol.

 

[Ceebs]

There are actually pics up on the Gay Games web site - physique Day 1, Women's Open. I'm the tall, plump chick, lol. (Just kidding, I wasn't plump, just not lean enough, and I beat 2 other girls, so it's all good, and it was great fun )

Pictures are here, for anyone interested: http://www.picturesystems.com/eventimages/findpicadv.cfm?searchtype=race&loclist=43

No plump chicks to be seen, though, by my eye.