Could you guys guess my body fat percent? I am a newbie and I used links in these threads and came up with a very depressing # [27.13].

Here some background: I am a 46 old male, 5' 9.5", wiegh 185 lbs. The first on-line tool I used last week came up as 18-19%. Some other #'s I came up with are: 38" waist, 40.25 hips, 11" forearms, and 7.5" wrist.
Also, BMI=26.93, BMR=1570.2.

I've been trying to lose wieght since Jan and have lose 37 lbs. so far. I done this tru better diet and lots of cardio. I know I also lost a lot of muscle mass but am very happy with my progess. Lifting and better diet is my next step, I just ordered a lever gym and geting DB's and BB.

Maybe I just can't measure, I used a string and transfer to tape measure. Well here are some pics, please let me know what you think. I
hope I attached the pics correctly.

Thanks
DRB

%18-%20? Be my guess.

Actually looking at your weight and height i think that's a little high. :)

Here some background: I am a 46 old male, 5' 9.5", wiegh 185 lbs. The first on-line tool I used last week came up as 18-19%. Some other #'s I came up with are: 38" waist, 40.25 hips, 11" forearms, and 7.5" wrist.
Also, BMI=26.93, BMR=1570.2.

Maybe I just can't measure, I used a string and transfer to tape measure.
Thanks
DRB
With your measurements I come up with 21%. I think a string and tape measure are a good way of measuring. I never thought of that. Also here is a link with a program I wrote in Excel to give you how I came up with that number of 21%. May I suggest that if that program is what you used to come up with 27% you may have not pressed ENTER after putting in the last measurement. If you did that check again. I think you'll be happy with 21% if you thought you were 27%.

Here is the link (http://forums.johnstonefitness.com/showthread.php?t=22950&page=2&highlight=bfcalc)

22-25%

Thanks, those #'s make me feel better.

Maybe I just can't measure

I ask this cause I measured 38.5" for waist. I was wearing 36" waist in my pants and now I am down to 34". I took the measurment at the biggest part of my gut, just above the bellybutton. Is this the correct way to measure waist?

Thanks
DRB

Thanks, those #'s make me feel better.



I ask this cause I measured 38.5" for waist. I was wearing 36" waist in my pants and now I am down to 34". I took the measurment at the biggest part of my gut, just above the bellybutton. Is this the correct way to measure waist?

Thanks
DRB
Where to measure

Waist: Stand up straight but don't suck in your stomach, be relaxed. Measure your waist at the greatest circuference. Men sometimes have troubel with the measurement. It can vary by five inches quite easily. For example:
1. Maximimum suck-in of gut ---- 32 inches
2. Relaxed but still consciously sucking in ---- 33 inches
3 Comfortable, but still self-conscious/
unconscious sucking in ---- 34 inches
4. Probably the way he usually is when no one
else is around ---- 35 inches
5. Blown out, deliberately exaggerated belly ---- 38 inches

Please play aroud with the measurements a little. Get all five and run them through the formula, you;'ll find there quite a variation. You may be tempted to use the results of 1, 2, or 3, but the resuts of 4 are the most accurate.

__________________

Try with belly relaxed:
2 inches above navel
at navel
2 inches below navel

Then get average and use that.