Aymster: gotcha.

As you say, the Tanita scales are notoriously bad at measuring body fat percentage. Unfortunately, so are on-line calculators based on waist-hip ratios, even with the wrist size adjustment. The underlying data for these tables are based on averages across a sample drawn from the general population, and the general population doesn't lift. (Too bad, or obesity rates wouldn't be so high!)

Kim

Yeah, you're so right kaw! I just read in our local newspaper about how they have to now include the age range of 10-17 year olds in the obesity stats... sad...

I am still so impressed w/ your BF%!! You've given me good encouragement that when I start my new plan tomorrow (my new WL regimen that will eventually turn into me competing next year if all goes well: :o ) that with hard work and determination, I can achieve a great BF% as well!!

How do you feel? (And I wonder how I'm going to feel when I get to that level and if I'm going to be freezing when I go up to the mountains during the winter here in CO! :D )

I feel... not all that much different. I do get cold in my office, thanks to over-eager AC, but this isn't a change. Ask me again in Feb, though!

Now that I think about it, there are little differences. One is that my abs aren't squishy anymore. I find this completely amazing. Today I caught myself tightening and then drumming on my abs, without even thinking about it. I'll have to make sure this doesn't become a habit I repeat in public. :)

Second, I think my posture has improved, less from physical changes (though I'm sure that helps) than from increased confidence. I've had nearly about as many people comment that I'm tall as comment that I'm lean or muscular. Of course, that could be because "lean" and "muscular" aren't obvious compliments for women in our culture, but we value "tall."

The other difference I've noticed is simply that daily activities that used to leave me out of breath -- e.g., climbing the stairs on my morning walk to work -- don't anymore. But this isn't so much a function of body fat per se as of general conditioning, and not having to haul quite so much weight up said stairs.

Kim