I am a female college distance runner, and I just had my bodyfat tested at 10%. I am 5'2" and 103 pounds, and I've heard that elite females are around 12%, and I am no where near elite, and I also heard that women stop menstruating at around 15% bodyfat--I still get my period regularily though. Does this sound right? I'm happy with the 10% and everything, but is it possible to be this low and still be healthy? I lift weights and eat healthily, running about 65mpw.
certain tests aren't reliable. what kind of test was it?
It was one of those, I think it's called bioelectrical impedence, the one where you hold the machine and it sends a current through your body.
As long as you are getting your period, you shouldn't have anything to worry about. You said you lift weights, so that is the main reason your body fat is low, along with running 65 mpw. Just because you are not an elite runner does not mean you should necessarily have a higher body fat percentage than them. There are too many other factors besides body fat that contribute to elite running performance. I've heard of some female athletes who have 10% and they are fine. Just don't aim to get any lower. As long as you are still menstruating, eating healthy and running well, I wouldn't stress about it.
Girly wrote:
It was one of those, I think it's called bioelectrical impedence, the one where you hold the machine and it sends a current through your body.
I was once tested at -1% on that contraption. Five minutes later it had me at 9%. At the time I was probably 5-6%. So I wouldn't rely on it for accuracy.
txRUNNERgirl wrote: As long as you are still menstruating, eating healthy and running well, I wouldn't stress about it.
How about those of us who are only eating healthy - should we stress?
send us a picture!
Pic here:
no it doesn't sound right at all. Probably just a test glitch because at 10% you'd probably be experiencing amenoeherea. Get it checked out reliably would be my advice to you. 10 is way way to low, 14% is considered low for women.If you haven't done so already look up the female "triad".
woah woah woah. If you're 5.2 and weigh 103lbs you're not
a matchstick either are you, my girl is 5.7 and she weighs
106 lbs. I'd take the apparatus back to WalMart and get your money back if i was you.
Don't stress over your BF%. It sounds like you are living a really healthy lifestyle. As long as you are still menstruating and feel good, don't worry about it.
The obvious downside to having a bisexual wife is that she’s always poaching your girlfriends.
girrly wrote:
Pic here:
The most disturbing thing about that picture is that she actually thinks she looks great.