manager of the gym hasselling me about bf%

[rez]

I was weighing myself on the tantia scale and he walked passed and saw that my bf% came in at 15%. He started hasselling me saying that it was too low blah blah blah...
I dont really care about what he says, but he did say that if it goes lower I could suffer from low bone density and oesteoperosis...is this true?

 

[Candi Barr]

I had always read that exercise-induced amenorrhia was linked to bone-density problems, but some of the posters here don't seem to think so. If you still have your period I don't see what you have to worry about. The gym guy was probably just trying to show how smart he thinks he is.

 

[Sassy69]

That's sort of annoying. A good trainer would have the sense to ask what your goals are and if you are achieving them.

Most peeps in gyms are dumbshits it seems like. I tend to know more than the "certified trainers".

 

[wilson6]

12 - 15% is fine for a fit non-eating disordered female that lifts heavy. Tell him to kiss your ass.

W6

 

[b fold the truth]

I was called FAT tonight at the gym. I set a PR on the incline, feel bigger..."yeah, but you are fat..."



B True

 

[Serenity Head]

I was called FAT tonight at the gym. I set a PR on the incline, feel bigger..."yeah, but you are fat..."



B True

Well if it makes you feel any better, I feel fat (Not used to being this heavy;even if I am strong).

 

[FitFossil]

I was weighing myself on the tantia scale and he walked passed and saw that my bf% came in at 15%. He started hasselling me saying that it was too low blah blah blah...
I dont really care about what he says, but he did say that if it goes lower I could suffer from low bone density and oesteoperosis...is this true?

"Too low" depends on the individual, and what they're doing to get to or stay at a certain level of bodyfat. There is no magic bodyfat threshold that fits all women, and it certainly can't be based solely on a Tanita scale reading.

If your bodyfat is dropping because you're training hard, eating well, you feel great, your performance is steadily improving, and your bodily functions (e.g. menstrual period) are working, then Great! - pay him no mind.

But if you're killing yourself for the sake of low bodyfat: overtraining, crash dieting, experimenting with suspect supplements, you feel like shit, your strength is dropping, etc., and this same guy has been watching this happen, then he should say something.

It's one thing to diet down for competition, because it's just temporary. It's something else to force your body to be something it's not, or before it's ready. Bodies all have a way of paying us back when we take things too far or too fast. Only you know what your situation is, so only you can interpret what he meant.

 

[THeMaCHinE]

Bone density is improved by lifting weights; osteoporosis is managed by proper diet and supplementation. I don't see what having fat has to do with it.

I think I would have looked at the guy's gut and told him the dangers of being too fat/improper diet: hypertension, increased risk for heart disease, diabetes, etc... He shouldn't be snooping anyway.

Also, as somebody aluded to above, those body fat scales are pretty wacked out. Even on the athletic setting they don't really measure properly due to the increased muscle density that lifters have. Plus, state of hydration, etc., can really effect how it reads you.

 

[newgirl-chargeback]

Re: Re: manager of the gym hasselling me about bf%

"Too low" depends on the individual, and what they're doing to get to or stay at a certain level of bodyfat. There is no magic bodyfat threshold that fits all women, and it certainly can't be based solely on a Tanita scale reading.

If your bodyfat is dropping because you're training hard, eating well, you feel great, your performance is steadily improving, and your bodily functions (e.g. menstrual period) are working, then Great! - pay him no mind.

But if you're killing yourself for the sake of low bodyfat: overtraining, crash dieting, experimenting with suspect supplements, you feel like shit, your strength is dropping, etc., and this same guy has been watching this happen, then he should say something.

It's one thing to diet down for competition, because it's just temporary. It's something else to force your body to be something it's not, or before it's ready. Bodies all have a way of paying us back when we take things too far or too fast. Only you know what your situation is, so only you can interpret what he meant.

FF -- this could not have been said any better. Nice post.

 

[Robert Jan]

I was called FAT tonight at the gym. I set a PR on the incline, feel bigger..."yeah, but you are fat..."



B True

Bastard. not only is your bf% not all that high, it also doesn`t fucking matter when your as strong

 

[Gladiola]

Moron!
First off, that is SO rude to look over your shoulder at the scale!
Second, if he had half a clue, he'd know how inaccurate those damn scales are. I believe I once read BrickGirl said it told her she was 23% of something crazy when she had shredded abs & was in the single digits!

Regarding bone density - I believe it's if your periods stop, the lack of estrogen can cause the lower bone density. But I would guess strength training would also help prevent it. If you are low bf & still have your period, then there's no issue, I would think.

I wonder how the pill effects it - my ovaries produce NO estrogen since I'm on the pill, I get it synthetically. I wonder if then a woman with very low BF won't have to worry about the bone density issue since she gets the estrogen synthetically.

 

[rez]

I wonder how the pill effects it - my ovaries produce NO estrogen since I'm on the pill, I get it synthetically. I wonder if then a woman with very low BF won't have to worry about the bone density issue since she gets the estrogen synthetically.

ye..he is a moron!

I was thinking about the effect of the pill with all of this, and Im sure it prevents me from dropping lower than I am. I would love to stop taking it to see the physical effects, but unfortunately thats outa the question....

 

[Gladiola]

I was thinking about the effect of the pill with all of this, and Im sure it prevents me from dropping lower than I am. I

Actually, I think I'm leaner ON the pill than off!

Since the pill stops your ovaries from producing estrogen & then replaces it, I presume it's possible that the amount of estrogen you get from the pill is actually LOWER than what your ovaries would pump into your system if they were indeed allowed to pump.

I'm on one of the lowest dose pills available - Alesse.

I've been told by some in the know that this is the case with men-> if they are given test - their own test production stops. If the test being given is less than what they would produce naturally, they will end up with the lesser amount.

 

[makedah]

rez and b fold -- Some people are so RUDE!

 

[Medusa]

I agree that the tanita scales can often be wrong,
but it is true that, at 15%bf many women would not be menstruating,
this is a sign of low estrogen levels, which leaves you particularly at risk of loss of bone density.

 

[Medusa]

of course everyone is different, some will have no probs with low b/f, I just said that the risk is increased.

 

[rez]

im a little worried about bone density because when im in cutting mode i remove dairy from my diet..how long do you think is a safe amount of time to do this for? I normally eat dairy during winter without much bloating/weight gain, but prefer to take it out in summer months...is this ok?

 

[anthrax]

im a little worried about bone density because when im in cutting mode i remove dairy from my diet..how long do you think is a safe amount of time to do this for? I normally eat dairy during winter without much bloating/weight gain, but prefer to take it out in summer months...is this ok?

Just have a good Magnesium/Calcium supplement

 

[Tenacious Tess]

What do you think?

What's more important than what people think about your body, is what do you think? Are you happy with yourself when you look in the mirror? Are you giggling when you put on your clothes? If you are happy with where you are at then the rest of the world can take a flying leap. If we all tried to live by what others tell us we should do, then there would be no common ground for anything. Make you happy, achieve your goals and always be smart and be healthy in whatever you do.

I had people tell me that I too strong, too much muscle, too fat, too skinny, too brash, etc.....but for me, it's all about accomplishing my goals. You do the same and blow those nasty negatives off!!!

Tess

 

[wateengedoe2]

Re: What do you think?

I had people tell me that I too strong, too much muscle, too fat, too skinny, too brash, etc.....but for me, it's all about accomplishing my goals. You do the same and blow those nasty negatives off!!!

Tess

I can see people either like or dislike muscles, or fat or whatever else in your appearance. But how can they ever think you're too strong? Being strong is a good thing, that can never be too much IMHO? BTW, I like muscular women, trying to be one myself, so probably I wouldn't find you too muscular in the first place

 

[SteelWeaver]

Well! Hello and WELCOME, TT! Only 2 posts and I like you already!

Tell him to take a flying leap, rez - if, as FF said, this isn't an unhealthy obsession that's slowly killing you, which I sincerely doubt, given how long you've been hanging around here, then whatever! Fuck 'em!

Take 2 to 3 500mg calcium tabs a day, separately from other supps and you'll be fine.

Take some mag, zinc, B5 at night before bed.

 

[slinky]

Re: Re: What do you think?

I can see people either like or dislike muscles, or fat or whatever else in your appearance. But how can they ever think you're too strong? Being strong is a good thing, that can never be too much IMHO? BTW, I like muscular women, trying to be one myself, so probably I wouldn't find you too muscular in the first place

Ahhhhh, to be Functionally Strong, IMO, would make any woman that much more sexxxxxxy.

Just my .2cents

 

[BeeUnique]

Jeeze, what a jerk. I would have told him to shut the hell up and mind his own business!

The trianers at my gym seem to suck from what I have seen. Not to mention their rates are outrageous. I watch them all the time and critique them...heh, heh. They don't pay any attention to their clients. The trainers are usually too busy talking to other buddies when they should be focusing on their clients. These people are paying hundreds of dollars a week to be trained and even their form is all wrong.

About the pill, I just read about a new pill that actually helps you loose weight....I am going to ask my OB. I think it is called Yasmin.

 

[makedah]

I have had a few a year ever since I can remember

My friend is like you. I am SO jealous!!!

 

[Nonerz]

Actually, I think I'm leaner ON the pill than off!

Not me! I have all kinds of fun sides...including weight gain.

 

[fhg43]

Don't worry about. Tanitas always read 5% low.

That would explain why it reads 4% when I definitely feel more like 9%!

FHG
one skinny mofo

 

[fhg43]

I was thinking about the effect of the pill with all of this, and Im sure it prevents me from dropping lower than I am.

Definitely true. Being on the pill will almost certainly prevent you from cutting up as much. The pill delivers a good dose of estrogen and I believe your ovaries still produce estrogen (contrary to what Gladiola said). I got the below from WebMD:

"The hormones [progesterone and estrogen] in birth control pills prevent eggs from being released from the ovaries (ovulation). They also make the mucus at the opening to the uterus (cervix) thick and sticky, so sperm cannot enter the uterus or fallopian tubes. Birth control pills may change the lining of the uterus so that a fertilized egg cannot implant."

I believe the added hormones fool the body into thinking it is pregnant so your body increases water retention and fat storage (at least this happens with my wife-and I think most women).

AS far as the gym guy and you being too low and osteoperosis:
Well there is something to be said about a quest for low body fat and it's detrimental effect on the body. As long as you are cutting in a healthy manner don't worry. But, like others have said, if you are taking supplements and starving yourself you are asking for trouble-trust me. The guy at the gym was probably concerned about your nutrition. There is this current trend amongst young ladies to malnoursh themselves to get skinny (and I don't totally understand it). If you are happy with your look and health, don't worry about it.

Don't worry about calcium loss. A calcium supp is a fine way to replace calcium lost by cutting out dairy. As well the strength training will increase bone density. You are already better off than most women since you are watching your diet and working out. Your bones will be just fine.

FHG

 

[Medusa]

As far as I know risk of osteoporosis depends quite alot on what your peak bone density is/was.
Bone mass reaches a peak in women in the teenage years, so as long as you had good nutrition, enough weight bearing exercise, and weren't amenorheaic (sp?) at that time, any losses later in life should have less impact.
Calcium supplements are helpfull but unless a person does enough weight bearing exercise the calcium won't be retained, it is the strain of muscle puling on bone that keeps bones strong.

 

[JJFigure]

My doctor and I have been having this very discussion. I hadn't had a period in about 18 months; however, I'd also been on a type of BC pill that tended to have that impact on women (ortho novum 7/7/7). Since I lift so heavily and supplement my calcium/magnesium/potassium adequately, my doctor isn't concerned about bone loss - especially since I'm 32 years old. If I were 20 years old, she said she might be more concerned. If anything, thanks to my lifting lifestyle, she believes I'm extremely low risk for osteoperosis. I'll believe my doctor over some dumb-ass trainer any day!

Funny part is, I stopped taking the ortho novum about 4 months ago. Week before my comp in Germany, I had my first period in 18 months. Considering I was at my leanest ever, this was pretty surprising. I assume it just took 4 months for my body to start producing estrogen on its own again. As soon as I finished the comp, I started back up on Yasmin (doctor wouldn't recommend the IUD since I haven't had children yet), and I'm curious to see how my body's gonna react.

 

[newgirl-chargeback]

I am curious to how you do with Yasmin as well... haven't had a period since Sep and came off a winny cycle.....doctor was alittle concerned about lack of period and gave me a rx for Yasmin but I am not going to start it yet....please keep me posted as to how you like it, if you hold water, gain bodyfat, etc.

 

[gingernut]

Tanita's always read 5% low?

I find they read a little high for me.

 

[rez]

I am curious to how you do with Yasmin as well... haven't had a period since Sep and came off a winny cycle.....doctor was alittle concerned about lack of period and gave me a rx for Yasmin but I am not going to start it yet....please keep me posted as to how you like it, if you hold water, gain bodyfat, etc.

im taking yasmin now...nothing really to report. However, I do feel nauseus(sp?) a lot, and although it could be from food etc I may try taking it before bed and see if that makes a difference?

 

[Saint7]

Took anatomy and as long as you are lifting, getting calcium and vitamin D you should be fine. Saint7

 

[Bozzman]

Good Calcium/vitamin D supp is Oscal.

Bozz

 

[Nonerz]

my doctor isn't concerned about bone loss - especially since I'm 32 years old. If I were 20 years old, she said she might be more concerned. If anything, thanks to my lifting lifestyle, she believes I'm extremely low risk for osteoperosis

why? is this the crucial time to ensure sufficient calcium intake? I'm 26 and probably don't get enough calcium...only drink (soy) milk in cereal.

 

[JJFigure]

The crucial time is during your growth years - for a woman, teens - late teens/early 20's, depending on the woman. Now that you're 26, you're more concerned about maintaining the bone density you developed during your teens. Lifting heavily and supplementing your calcium should take care of your needs. You still may want to run your calcium intake by your doctor though, to confirm.