Re: Fat percentages and aging

[Guest guest]

http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/70/3/405

Here is a rather scientific article about aging and body fat.

Especially in women, then hormones began to change in the mid30's

throwing us into what some now call peri-menopause, or early

menopause. This can cause an increase in the production of fat cells

and also in the way you carry your body fat. You've seen women that

have been relatively thin most of their life and then hit near 40 and

all of a sudden become apples with arms and legs. That's the hormones

putting the fat where the genes and DNA tell it to.

The good news is we can fight this with proper nutrition and weight

training.

Use the numbers as a guide, not as gold. If you have to use the

higher number then so be it. Look for the downward trend. That's the

important thing. The same thing happened to me. I hit 40 and my bf%

went up. Pfffffffftttttttt to that. I KNOW in my head that I didn't

change overnight. But I just have to start fresh with that new number

and see how low I can get it over this year. Then start fresh again

when the number changes at the next birthday.

Deb

>

> So how does our body change how it stores fat as we age?

>

> The measurement chart that came with my Accumeasure calipers gives a

> different body fat percentage for each age group. For example, I am a

> 36-year-old with a 5 mm caliper reading. According to my chart,

> that's 16% body fat because I am in the 36-40 (uggh!) age group. But

> if I were still in the 31-35 year age group, that would be 15.4

> percent body fat. I gained body fat, just because I had a birthday??

> I tried an internet search to answer this, but cannot find a solution.

>

> Also, I am at the end of week two. My visible fat seems to be going

> away, I feel great and have A LOT of energy, the scale is staying

> stable (which I expected), my measurements are budging slightly

> downward, so I know I am making progress. Why would it be that my

> caliper measurement has gone UP 1-2 mm? When I started week one, it

> was 4 mm, now it's 5 or 6 mm, depending on the day. It's been that

> way every morning this week (I always measure first thing in the

> morning). Could it have something to do with all the water I am

> drinking?

>

> Jen

>

[Guest guest]

wrote:

> Especially in women, then hormones began to change in the mid30's

> throwing us into what some now call peri-menopause, or early

> menopause.

Its said that starting at about age 35, women lose 1/4-1/2 of a pound

of muscle per year, EVERY YEAR! As this muscle loss occurs, fat is

more easily and quickly gained, leaving the body flabby. Strength

training prevents this muscle loss tho. With more and more women

taking to the gyms to lift weights, I think the charts in years to

come will have to change because this will no longer be the 'norm'.

> This can cause an increase in the production of fat

> cells and also in the way you carry your body fat.You've seen

> women that have been relatively thin most of their life and

> then hit near 40 and all of a sudden become apples with arms

> and legs. That's the hormones putting the fat where the

> genes and DNA tell it to.

Or you have women who say that they 'still' weigh what the did in high

school or wedding day etc, but what they dont realize is the shift in

body composition from lean to fat weight. So they become 'skinnyfat'.

Btw that fat storage around the middle is the most dangerous for us

women because its one of the pre-signs for a heart attack. Most people

think breast cancer is the leading cause of death for women and its

gotten some well deserved support/press/research $$ in the last couple

of years but we as women should get the word out that heart disease is

much bigger - here are some stats:

* 267,000 women die each year from heart attacks, which kill SIX times

as many women as breast cancer!! (who knew eh!?)

* 31, 837 women die each year of congestive heart failure, or 62.6% of

ALL heart failure deaths.

* 8,000,000 American women are currently living with heart disease -

10% of women ages 45 - 64 and 25% age 65 and over.

* 13% of women age 45 and over have had a heart attack.

*More women than men die of heart disease each year, yet women receive

only: 33% of angioplasties, stents and bypass surgeries, 28% of

inplantable defibrillators and 36% of open-heart surgeries.

For more info pls visit: http://www.womenheart.org/

joni

-----------------------------------------------

*think of your real heart this Valentines Day and know you are doing

it a favor by exercising, eating right and striving for a healthier

you*

[Guest guest]

Thanks ladies. That gives me food for thought. I am thinking that

the way women carry their fat is the key to answering my question.

We probably (I am guessing here) carry more fat internally as we

age, so that even if through diet and exercise our fat beneath our

skin remains constant (the fat we can measure with calipers), we

must naturally carry more fat around our organs, the kind of fat

that causes an increased risk of heart disease as we age. That's

why the percentages go up for older women--because the extra fat is

underneath, where it isn't visible, but can do damage to our

health. It all makes sense now that I think it through.

I suppose that's a positive for pear-shapes like me--it's been

proven that pear-shaped women have a lower-risk of heart disease

than apple-shapes because of the distribution of fat. It's down low

where it can't do as much damage. I guess I should be thankful I've

got junk in my trunk?? Uggh--I hate getting old.

Jen

> > Especially in women, then hormones began to change in the mid30's

> > throwing us into what some now call peri-menopause, or early

> > menopause.

>

> Its said that starting at about age 35, women lose 1/4-1/2 of a

pound

> of muscle per year, EVERY YEAR! As this muscle loss occurs, fat is

> more easily and quickly gained, leaving the body flabby. Strength

> training prevents this muscle loss tho. With more and more women

> taking to the gyms to lift weights, I think the charts in years to

> come will have to change because this will no longer be

the 'norm'.

>

>

> > This can cause an increase in the production of fat

> > cells and also in the way you carry your body fat.You've seen

> > women that have been relatively thin most of their life and

> > then hit near 40 and all of a sudden become apples with arms

> > and legs. That's the hormones putting the fat where the

> > genes and DNA tell it to.

>

> Or you have women who say that they 'still' weigh what the did in

high

> school or wedding day etc, but what they dont realize is the shift

in

> body composition from lean to fat weight. So they

become 'skinnyfat'.

>

> Btw that fat storage around the middle is the most dangerous for

us

> women because its one of the pre-signs for a heart attack. Most

people

> think breast cancer is the leading cause of death for women and

its

> gotten some well deserved support/press/research $$ in the last

couple

> of years but we as women should get the word out that heart

disease is

> much bigger - here are some stats:

> * 267,000 women die each year from heart attacks, which kill SIX

times

> as many women as breast cancer!! (who knew eh!?)

> * 31, 837 women die each year of congestive heart failure, or

62.6% of

> ALL heart failure deaths.

> * 8,000,000 American women are currently living with heart

disease -

> 10% of women ages 45 - 64 and 25% age 65 and over.

> * 13% of women age 45 and over have had a heart attack.

> *More women than men die of heart disease each year, yet women

receive

> only: 33% of angioplasties, stents and bypass surgeries, 28% of

> inplantable defibrillators and 36% of open-heart surgeries.

> For more info pls visit: http://www.womenheart.org/

>

>

>

> joni

> -----------------------------------------------

> *think of your real heart this Valentines Day and know you are

doing

> it a favor by exercising, eating right and striving for a

healthier

> you*

>

[Guest guest]

I am such a geek. I just had to keep digging so I came across some

studies and here's the good news:

(referring to physical activity) " It maintains lean muscle mass, so

that aerobically fit older women do not, on average, have less

muscle mass than younger women, and thus tend to have greater

strength, aerobic capacity and resting energy expenditure than

expected for age.8 In the largest study which directly measured

energy expenditure in older women, there was a significant

relationship between aerobic fitness and energy expenditure related

to daily physical activity.9 These effects all contribute to the

lower amounts of total and central body fat in menopausal women who

are more physically active. "

The studies I read about all used aerobic activity as their physical

activity variable. Just imagine how much better off we are when we

train hard and heavy with weights? So there is hope for us.

Jen

> > > Especially in women, then hormones began to change in the

mid30's

> > > throwing us into what some now call peri-menopause, or early

> > > menopause.

> >

> > Its said that starting at about age 35, women lose 1/4-1/2 of a

> pound

> > of muscle per year, EVERY YEAR! As this muscle loss occurs, fat

is

> > more easily and quickly gained, leaving the body flabby.

Strength

> > training prevents this muscle loss tho. With more and more women

> > taking to the gyms to lift weights, I think the charts in years

to

> > come will have to change because this will no longer be

> the 'norm'.

> >

> >

> > > This can cause an increase in the production of fat

> > > cells and also in the way you carry your body fat.You've seen

> > > women that have been relatively thin most of their life and

> > > then hit near 40 and all of a sudden become apples with arms

> > > and legs. That's the hormones putting the fat where the

> > > genes and DNA tell it to.

> >

> > Or you have women who say that they 'still' weigh what the did

in

> high

> > school or wedding day etc, but what they dont realize is the

shift

> in

> > body composition from lean to fat weight. So they

> become 'skinnyfat'.

> >

> > Btw that fat storage around the middle is the most dangerous for

> us

> > women because its one of the pre-signs for a heart attack. Most

> people

> > think breast cancer is the leading cause of death for women and

> its

> > gotten some well deserved support/press/research $$ in the last

> couple

> > of years but we as women should get the word out that heart

> disease is

> > much bigger - here are some stats:

> > * 267,000 women die each year from heart attacks, which kill SIX

> times

> > as many women as breast cancer!! (who knew eh!?)

> > * 31, 837 women die each year of congestive heart failure, or

> 62.6% of

> > ALL heart failure deaths.

> > * 8,000,000 American women are currently living with heart

> disease -

> > 10% of women ages 45 - 64 and 25% age 65 and over.

> > * 13% of women age 45 and over have had a heart attack.

> > *More women than men die of heart disease each year, yet women

> receive

> > only: 33% of angioplasties, stents and bypass surgeries, 28% of

> > inplantable defibrillators and 36% of open-heart surgeries.

> > For more info pls visit: http://www.womenheart.org/

> >

> >

> >

> > joni

> > -----------------------------------------------

> > *think of your real heart this Valentines Day and know you are

> doing

> > it a favor by exercising, eating right and striving for a

> healthier

> > you*

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Ok....had my bodyfat and BMR done today.A little disappointing. I have gained 7

pounds over the last few months (which I needed), so I figured my BMR would go

up. It is lower though. Also, my bodyfat is still so low that it doesn't even

read on the charts. How can this be if I'm 125 at 5'7, eat 6 times a day and

weight train really heavily? Had my cheat meal tonight also. I feel really

guilty even though it wasn't that bad. Had 2 rolls, a chicken salad w/ cheese

and dressing and sauteed onions. Anyone else feel guilty after free day, like

you've undone everything good you've done? If anyone

could give me ideas on a plan to gain muscle mass and a little fat (but not

too much!), I would appreciate it. Thanks!

Tara

---------------------------------

Relax. virus scanning helps detect nasty viruses!

[Guest guest]

You are confusing me...are you saying that you are trying to increase

your BF%, but you feel GUILTY about a CHEAT MEAL?...and a cheat meal

that was not even really a cheat....

I'm thinking that you have increased your muscle mass, but not your

body fat % because you are keeping your calories too low. I just put

some stats into the BMR on the hussman site, taking your stated weight

and height, and assuming an age of 30 and BR% of 10. For a woman with

those stats, to gain muslce with out loosing body fat he suggests 1700

to 2200 calories a day. If you are trying to gain BF% then you have to

have MORE than that.

Try putting what you eat into Fitday, or some other food diary, for a

week, see what your averages have been. I'll bet they are lower than 1700.

Barbara

[Guest guest]

I know it sounds a little confusing. I am trying to recover from an eating

disorder, so it's hard to trust myself around food, b/c I tend to binge when I

start eating something that I consider bad. Kind of a perfectionist. I use

fitday and I've been averaging anywhere from 1800-2400 calories a day, most

often around 2000 (I " m 25 by the way). It's going to be a long journey before I

can feel good about gaining the weight and bodyfat. I have seen a therapist and

I'm working on developing a good body image. Weight training is helping a lot,

b/c I'm seeing that to be strong, I need to EAT! Thanks for all of the help and

support. I need it!!

alysd38 <no_reply > wrote: You are confusing me...are you saying

that you are trying to increase

your BF%, but you feel GUILTY about a CHEAT MEAL?...and a cheat meal

that was not even really a cheat....

I'm thinking that you have increased your muscle mass, but not your

body fat % because you are keeping your calories too low. I just put

some stats into the BMR on the hussman site, taking your stated weight

and height, and assuming an age of 30 and BR% of 10. For a woman with

those stats, to gain muslce with out loosing body fat he suggests 1700

to 2200 calories a day. If you are trying to gain BF% then you have to

have MORE than that.

Try putting what you eat into Fitday, or some other food diary, for a

week, see what your averages have been. I'll bet they are lower than 1700.

Barbara

[Guest guest]

Well, if you are recovering from an eating disorder and you have

gotten to the point where you will eat 2000 healthy calories a day you

have made wonderful progress!

Your caloric intake is great to keep you bf the same while increasing

muscle. If you want to add some bf you either have to back off on the

cardio and weights a little, or add a little more food. I know, you

are trying. And you are getting there

Barbara

You are confusing

me...are you saying that you are trying to increase

> your BF%, but you feel GUILTY about a CHEAT MEAL?...and a cheat meal

> that was not even really a cheat....

>

> I'm thinking that you have increased your muscle mass, but not your

> body fat % because you are keeping your calories too low. I just put

> some stats into the BMR on the hussman site, taking your stated weight

> and height, and assuming an age of 30 and BR% of 10. For a woman with

> those stats, to gain muslce with out loosing body fat he suggests 1700

> to 2200 calories a day. If you are trying to gain BF% then you have to

> have MORE than that.

>

> Try putting what you eat into Fitday, or some other food diary, for a

> week, see what your averages have been. I'll bet they are lower than

1700.

>

> Barbara

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Barbara! it's nice that someone can appreciate how far I've come. I do

need to gain some fat. It's not good that it can't even be measured on the

scale! I think I will try to add some more calories and reduce my cardio a bit.

Thanks again!

alysd38 <no_reply > wrote: Well, if you are recovering from an

eating disorder and you have

gotten to the point where you will eat 2000 healthy calories a day you

have made wonderful progress!

Your caloric intake is great to keep you bf the same while increasing

muscle. If you want to add some bf you either have to back off on the

cardio and weights a little, or add a little more food. I know, you

are trying. And you are getting there

Barbara

You are confusing

me...are you saying that you are trying to increase

> your BF%, but you feel GUILTY about a CHEAT MEAL?...and a cheat meal

> that was not even really a cheat....

>

> I'm thinking that you have increased your muscle mass, but not your

> body fat % because you are keeping your calories too low. I just put

> some stats into the BMR on the hussman site, taking your stated weight

> and height, and assuming an age of 30 and BR% of 10. For a woman with

> those stats, to gain muslce with out loosing body fat he suggests 1700

> to 2200 calories a day. If you are trying to gain BF% then you have to

> have MORE than that.

>

> Try putting what you eat into Fitday, or some other food diary, for a

> week, see what your averages have been. I'll bet they are lower than

1700.

>

> Barbara

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

In the original Challenge Material, they say to Gain Muscle, Strength and Size,

eat 1 carb and 1 protein 6x/day, increasing that 1/2 carb portion the first few

meals of each day (if you begin to lose mucle). Use the Myoplex Deluxe shakes

2-3x day. Fat grams under 40.

You probably know this already, just wanted to post.

Have you consulted a nutritionist? They can help you safely gain weight while

you follow the BFL workout program. Good luck to you!

Tara Winnett <twinnett001@...> wrote:

Ok....had my bodyfat and BMR done today.A little disappointing. I have gained

7 pounds over the last few months (which I needed), so I figured my BMR would go

up. It is lower though. Also, my bodyfat is still so low that it doesn't even

read on the charts. How can this be if I'm 125 at 5'7, eat 6 times a day and

weight train really heavily? Had my cheat meal tonight also. I feel really

guilty even though it wasn't that bad. Had 2 rolls, a chicken salad w/ cheese

and dressing and sauteed onions. Anyone else feel guilty after free day, like

you've undone everything good you've done? If anyone

could give me ideas on a plan to gain muscle mass and a little fat (but not

too much!), I would appreciate it. Thanks!

Tara

---------------------------------

Relax. virus scanning helps detect nasty viruses!