Want to get down to 15-17% bodyfat

[Anonymous]

I’m a 44 yo female. Anyone here at that BF level? Is this completely unrealistic? Any advice?

This link below talks about inability to menstruate. Why do I need to menstruate? Also my hormones are already out of whack due to perimenopause. In fact, I started cutting cals and increasing exercise since NYE and already feel better vis a vis perimenopausal mood swings (nothing extreme, 1500 cals, slowly increasing cardio).


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

[Anonymous]

And not interested in those new drugs either.

[Anonymous]

Why do you want to be that lean? It is very hard to sustain. The only time I made it to 17% I was actually really miserable. I did not lose my period but I was constantly hungry and still thought I was fat even though size 2 clothes were hanging on me. I did not lose my period but if you want to keep your hair and bone density, I would not take losing it lightly. Also keep in mind that your face might end up looking like a zombie at body fat level that low. There is definitely that ass vs. face trade-off as we age.

[Anonymous]

You can try not eating any fats, calorie restricting and exercising and see where you get. FYI, as you age, it’s healthier to be slightly overweight than slightly underweight…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can try not eating any fats, calorie restricting and exercising and see where you get. FYI, as you age, it’s healthier to be slightly overweight than slightly underweight…

Not eating any fats is horrible advice. Calorie restriction is all she needs.

[Anonymous]

I lost about 15% of my total weight and now I am cold ALL the time because I have no padding. I'd rather be cold than fat but still.

[Anonymous]

Btw OP, if your goal is based on the pictures from the link you posted, I do not think the 15-17 picture reflects well what it would look like. 15-17 would look closer to what is depicted as 10-12. If your target is to look as the 15-17 in that pictures that could be achievable and not unhealthy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Btw OP, if your goal is based on the pictures from the link you posted, I do not think the 15-17 picture reflects well what it would look like. 15-17 would look closer to what is depicted as 10-12. If your target is to look as the 15-17 in that pictures that could be achievable and not unhealthy.

Sorry, not following this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do you want to be that lean? It is very hard to sustain. The only time I made it to 17% I was actually really miserable. I did not lose my period but I was constantly hungry and still thought I was fat even though size 2 clothes were hanging on me. I did not lose my period but if you want to keep your hair and bone density, I would not take losing it lightly. Also keep in mind that your face might end up looking like a zombie at body fat level that low. There is definitely that ass vs. face trade-off as we age.

why is that? I'm not at all concerned about the size of clothing, esp. because it is so variable by brand.

[Anonymous]

Bad idea. This will negatively affect your overall health; your bone density, your will be cold all the time, you will have to be obsessively restrictive, you will lose a lot of hair. Just don’t.

[Anonymous]

Way too low percentage fat for a woman, maybe for a man who is a distance runner. Would wonder about body dysmorphia if you truly want to aim for that low body fat percentage

[Anonymous]

Depending on your body makeup, it's not that crazy. When I was a college athlete (and still menstruating) I was at 12% body fat. But yeah, that required me exercising vigorously for about 4 hours/day, although I ate whatever I wanted.

I'm your age, OP, and I would focus on weight lifting and whatever kind of cardio you like (walking, anything).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Way too low percentage fat for a woman, maybe for a man who is a distance runner. Would wonder about body dysmorphia if you truly want to aim for that low body fat percentage

You all seem pretty ignorant about that. Michael Jordan was 4%, which is an elite athlete, so a decent male runner could be 6-9% easily.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depending on your body makeup, it's not that crazy. When I was a college athlete (and still menstruating) I was at 12% body fat. But yeah, that required me exercising vigorously for about 4 hours/day, although I ate whatever I wanted.

I'm your age, OP, and I would focus on weight lifting and whatever kind of cardio you like (walking, anything).

Yes, lifting and restricting calories (at this point 1500, with getting sufficient protein and good fats). Slowly adding in cardio. No deadline. Just a focus on losing BF over time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Btw OP, if your goal is based on the pictures from the link you posted, I do not think the 15-17 picture reflects well what it would look like. 15-17 would look closer to what is depicted as 10-12. If your target is to look as the 15-17 in that pictures that could be achievable and not unhealthy.

Sorry, not following this.

I mean that what is shown as 15-17 in those pictures is more than that. I look like that at 20. True 15% is very very lean and would look closer to what is shown as 10-12 in those pictures.