[Sportsandrec] Minimum BF and setting goals

[Thornbury, Kelly]

Ashley-

Normative data and recommended levels of body fat in women are a little higher than that of men. So, the recommended percentages for women between 18 and 34 are 20%-35%. For men in the same age group it is 8%-23%. For both genders some fat mass is important for the stimulation of hormone production and regulation, but more so for women. Fat mass is also important for temperature regulation, cushioning the joints, protecting organs, and providing energy. Minimum body fat percentages (known as essential body fat, for women are between 8% and 12%; for men 3% to 5%. 

 

Chris- 

Personally and statistically, setting goals is way important. "You will never get to where you want to go without a road map to get there." It is important to set short-, medium-, and long-term goals (next week, within the next 3-6 months, and next year). Without goals you can lose the intrinsic motivation to workout (or perform what ever it is you are doing; goal setting goes well beyond exercise, and most highly successful businesspersons claim to set regular goals too). Setting goals and tracking progress also tells you if your workouts are effective, or if you are losing ground (overtraining).