Body Fat Water Scale

This rudimentary body fat-water scale is to show a clearer relationship between being overweight, fit and lean and the amount of water comprises your body.

Obese individuals have a lower percentage of water in their bodies (about 48%). Morbidly obese individuals are only about 36 percent water. In addition, the older one gets, the less water is retained in one's cells. As a result, old skin looks drier and wrinkles appear.

Some body fat percentage levels are more culturally valued than others, and some are related to better health or improved athletic performance. Actual levels of body fat are dependent on sex and age.^[1]

According to Health Check Systems,^[2] The American Council on Exercise^[3] has categorized ranges of body fat percentages as follows:

Note that the essential fat values in the chart above are lower than the recommended minimum body fat percentage levels. A small amount of storage fat is required to be available as fuel for the body in time of need.^[4] It is unclear whether falling in a particular category of these body fat percentages is better for one's health than any other, but there seem to be enhancements in athletic performance as one nears the ideal body fat percentage range for one's particular sport. The leanest athletes typically compete at levels of about 5–8% for men or 10–15% for women. ^[5] Bodybuilders will often compete at ranges even lower than these levels.

Certified personal trainers will suggest to male bodybuilders that they should aim for a body fat percentage between 2–4% by contest time.^[6] Getting to this level usually requires a carefully planned and implemented exercise program, specific and carefully monitored variations in fluid consumption, energy intake and macronutrient ratios, sodium and potassium, and sometimes also use of ointments and alcohol.^[7]

So how does this relate to weight loss? When the body water is measured against different body fat percentages, you see a clear inverse relationship. The Body Fat-Water Scale shows this below:

I look at your body fat-water content as an important part of your natural weight loss. There are so many different ways to lose weight but they are not all natural and many are not safe as well. Many also do not apply to a broad spectrum of body-types, lifestyles and histories.

You can lose water and lose weight that way. But that water can come from muscle and blood and this is not only unhealthy it is dangerous. By replacing fat with muscle you are putting the right kind of water in your body and reducing fat as well.

Get your body fat-water scale in the correct order and you will feel far more endurance, mental and physical energy as well. The easiest way to do this is to measure your fat percentage against your total weight. If the body fat percentage is reducing by more pounds than your weight, that means that you are gaining muscle and therefore getting to the leaner section of the the body fat-water scale.