Hello all,
I'm aware that this will vary from individual to individual (and also from sport to sport, since certain sports reward lower BF%s more than others), but is there really an ideal figure for health (i.e. longevity, avoiding illness, etc.)?
Having read and been following Ori Hofmekler's Warrior Diet, he says that any excess 'bulge' is basically just a storage area for toxins. I can't remember the exact words he uses, but it is to this effect, and I figured it makes a lot of sense. He then says that men should have a body fat of no more than 10%, and I think women around 15%.
Speaking as a man, and also being at around the 10% mark (perhaps slightly higher at present; maybe 12ish), when I first read this, I thought that 10% was a pretty low number to maintain for most people purely for health benefits... Don't get me wrong, I think 10% should be achievable by anyone once they figure out what foods work for them, but still, for myself, maintaining 10% year-round means no cheat days at all (I'm one of those people who gains weight just from looking at junk food); no pizza, no cake, no ice cream... You get the idea (and the thought of this makes me sad)... I mean we're only human, so what's wrong with the occasional day or two of eating whatever you want, whenever you want? Before reading The Warrior Diet, if asked about a healthy BF% for men, I'd always have assumed that 15% or less was absolutely fine...
Anyway, I'm rambling a bit now, but I'd just like to hear your thoughts on whether or not a 'healthy' body fat percentage exists and roughly what said number would be?
Thanks!
Harry
I'm aware that this will vary from individual to individual (and also from sport to sport, since certain sports reward lower BF%s more than others), but is there really an ideal figure for health (i.e. longevity, avoiding illness, etc.)?
Having read and been following Ori Hofmekler's Warrior Diet, he says that any excess 'bulge' is basically just a storage area for toxins. I can't remember the exact words he uses, but it is to this effect, and I figured it makes a lot of sense. He then says that men should have a body fat of no more than 10%, and I think women around 15%.
Speaking as a man, and also being at around the 10% mark (perhaps slightly higher at present; maybe 12ish), when I first read this, I thought that 10% was a pretty low number to maintain for most people purely for health benefits... Don't get me wrong, I think 10% should be achievable by anyone once they figure out what foods work for them, but still, for myself, maintaining 10% year-round means no cheat days at all (I'm one of those people who gains weight just from looking at junk food); no pizza, no cake, no ice cream... You get the idea (and the thought of this makes me sad)... I mean we're only human, so what's wrong with the occasional day or two of eating whatever you want, whenever you want? Before reading The Warrior Diet, if asked about a healthy BF% for men, I'd always have assumed that 15% or less was absolutely fine...
Anyway, I'm rambling a bit now, but I'd just like to hear your thoughts on whether or not a 'healthy' body fat percentage exists and roughly what said number would be?
Thanks!
Harry